Last Thursday, U. S. Senate Majority leader Harry Reid announced that he did not have the 60 votes necessary to pass major climate change legislation. This was very disappointing news for those working to pass comprehensive, equitable legislation to address climate change. It is expected that Congress will instead push through a series of smaller bills focused on addressing liability and safety issues related to the BP oil spill and potentially some other less comprehensive energy efficiency and clean energy measures.
This is a loss not only for our environment, but also for low-income populations and people of color. The failure to pass comprehensive climate change legislations means:
- Those who disproportionately bear the negative effects of climate change will continue to be in harm’s way. To learn more about what this means, read how the Red Cross is already working to help vulnerable populations prepare for extreme weather events caused by climate change.
- The anticipated piece-by-piece legislation to address climate change will not provide a revenue stream for funding priorities like consumer relief from energy price increases, training for green jobs for those traditionally without equitable access to livable wage jobs, and dedicated funds to help nonprofits and low-income households afford efficiency improvements and reduce their energy consumption.
This is an important moment for you to speak up on behalf of disadvantaged populations. Let Minnesota’s congressional delegation know that you are paying attention and are disappointed that Congress failed to pass comprehensive climate change legislation at this critical time.
- If your representative in the U.S. House voted in support of The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (Congresswoman McCollum and Congressmen Ellison, Oberstar, Peterson and Walz), thank them for supporting comprehensive climate legislation and ask them to continue working for viable solutions that consider the impacts on vulnerable populations.
- If your representative in the U.S. House voted against The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (Congresswoman Bachmann and Congressmen Kline and Paulsen), let them know that you are disappointed in their vote and the failure of Congress to address climate change as a serious issue that will continue to bring harm to our environment and to vulnerable populations.
- Tell Senators Franken and Klobuchar that you are disappointed in the U. S. Senate’s inability to pass comprehensive climate change legislation, but that you appreciate their willingness to champion climate equity issues. Ask them to keep fighting for solutions to climate change that consider the impacts on vulnerable populations.
Find out who represents you and call their offices today! For more information on climate change and implications for vulnerable populations, visit the Minnesota Budget Project Climate Change Resource Page.
-Leah Gardner
