WE CAN DO THIS
National Actions
At any given time, there is legislation in Congress and/or the Senate that deals specifically with global warming, the Clean Water Protection Act, the Clean Air Act, and energy policy. And every year, some members of Congress are running for reelection. Talk to your member of Congress about why we need a moratorium on additional coal plants, an end to mountain top removal and tough global warming legislation – especially in an election year. You can get a glimpse of your congressman’s position and some candidate’s positions on http://www.lcv.org.
Letters about Candidates Positions on Coal and Energy Issues:
One of the most effective ways to get the attention of candidates is to write a letter or op ed (opinion editorial) to the local newspaper. This is one of the most read parts of the newspaper, and is scanned daily by candidates and their staff. Mention the principles in the CLEAN call to action. It’s a good way to get the attention of others in the community, and to get people to meetings. Send a version of the letter to your elected officials and ask for a meeting to discuss the issues. Get others to write letters as well.
You Have the Power to Participate, Even If You Don’t Live Near Mining or A Coal Plant
We can stop the damage done by coal if people from around the county take action.
Seven simple actions can help:
- Clean up your power. Use your energy more efficiently and buy green power.
- Write or call presidential and congressional candidates, visit with them if you can. .
- Write a letter to your paper, and visit with the local environmental reporter.
- Ask for help from your neighbors, religious congregations and friends.
- Get your city to reduce its use of coal power, by buying renewable energy and increasing the efficiency of its electricity use – lobby the Mayor.
- Host a Burning The Future House Party movie night, and discuss actions you can take after the movie.
- Adopt a Local Group fighting mountaintop removal, dirty water, or a coal-fired plant. Go visit the community. They often need help with tasks you can do from a distance, including raising money, computer work, writing, or bringing any special skills to the table. Activists from other parts of the state or nation are often critical to getting legislation passed.
Business and City Leaders Take Action
People who live downwind of a proposed plant will be affected for hundreds of miles. Those who live in the path of the plume of pollution will often feel the effects in increased ozone, acid rain, and lung/heart damage from fine particle pollution. Similarly, health effects of mining are widespread across regions. As a result, businesses and city leaders may be convinced to intervene and take action to protect the health of the population, especially of it will affect their profits or taxes. As a leader in your business, town or city, sign the Call the Action and protect the health of those you rely on, and your long-term bottom line. Here is one example of how Texas leaders are fighting for cleaner air.