In 1970, Congress made a promise to future generations by passing the Clean Air Act and providing a mechanism for enforcement. It is up to us to keep that promise and to make our own promise to generations to come. Clean air and public health protections work for our families and protect our kids. We need to do everything we can to reduce harmful air pollution from toxics like mercury and arsenic and other pollutants like carbon and ozone and oppose the big polluters who say our kids aren’t worth the minimal cost to reduce these dangerous emissions.
The Clean Air Act is one of the most successful public policies in history. It has provided strong public health protections that have saved hundreds of thousands of American lives and prevented countless asthma attacks, heart attacks, premature deaths and other pollution related illnesses.
Now is the time for leaders and citizens to renew that promise — to support the Clean Air Act and the public health protections it provides us all. Now is not the time to roll back air pollution protections. Clean air saves lives. Make the promise to save clean air.
The League is asking community, business and government leaders to make this promise to protect kids from air pollution because only they have the power to stand up for the most vulnerable members of our communities. Children are at risk every day, and only our leaders can protect them from the dangers of air pollution. Failing to uphold public health protections dooms our children, seniors, family friends and neighbors to premature deaths and debilitating attacks from illnesses like asthma. We can do better for our children, and we should start now.
“I promise to protect America’s children and families from dangerous air pollution. Because toxics and pollutants such as mercury, smog, carbon, and soot, cause thousands of hospital visits, asthma attacks, and even deaths, I will support clean air policies and other protections that scientists and public health experts have recommended to the EPA to safeguard our air quality.”
The League’s special website, PeopleNotPolluters.org, will include opportunities for those who are harmed by air pollution to tell their stories. Also on the website, anyone will be able to make the promise and send a message to his or her officials.
The League is uniquely positioned to speak out on clean air. The public knows and respects the League. The League of Women Voters has stood behind and worked to defend the Clean Air Act for 40 years. The issue is creating a sense of community responsibility to stand up for clean air and the public health.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
The League is organized in all 50 states and in 800 communities across the nation, and since the 1970s has advocated for strong public health and environmental protections and been an active supporter of the Clean Air Act.
Jodi Foran is a spokesperson for the League of Women Voters of Montezuma County, sww.lwvmontezuma.org.