"In the last 30 years, emissions of six dangerous air pollutants that cause smog, acid rain, lead poisoning and more decreased 54 percent. At the same time, gross domestic product grew by 126 percent... The question is, how does that happen? The answer is innovation…"
- EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. Learn more about the agency’s latest efforts on smog.
In this issue:
1) Take Action: Demand Healthy Rivers, Wetlands, and Coasts!
2) Take Action: Protect Our Lands in the Face of Climate Change
3) Welcome: Meet Michael Brune
4) Green Building: Take a Tour
1) Take Action: Demand healthy rivers, wetlands, and coasts!
Healthy rivers, wetlands, and coasts provide clean drinking water and wildlife habitat. But decades of flawed planning have focused on developments that fail to protect and restore these critical areas. The White House has drafted new guidelines, but they do not go far enough in making environmental protection and restoration a priority.
Send a message to President Obama today and tell him that the new proposed guidelines must be strengthened to ensure healthy habitat for wildlife and clean drinking water for us all.
2) Take Action: Protect Our Lands in the Face of Climate Change
Congress is making history as it crafts a climate bill that begins the transition to greater energy independence and a clean energy economy. However, that bill must also safeguard the lands and waters which are most affected by climate change and provide the funding to help them adapt. The bill must ensure that 5% of the revenues generated under a cap on carbon pollution go toward adaptation projects.
Write to your Senators and tell them to make sure America’s natural heritage is fully protected and cared for in a warming world.
In his new role Brune is particularly interested in promoting programs that link the Club’s traditional protection of wild places to urgently needed climate change solutions.
Find out more about him.
4) Green Building: Take a Tour
As part of the national "Green Buildings for Cool Cities" partnership between the Sierra Club and the US Green Building Council, local volunteers from both groups are holding public tours of green buildings across the US this week. The goal is to highlight the local economic and environmental benefits of energy-efficient, sustainable buildings of all types -- homes, schools, business offices, supermarkets, fire stations, municipal buildings and low-income senior housing.
Find a tour near you.