We are confronted with a climate crisis. The dangerous, destructive impacts of climate change are already our reality and, disproportionately, vulnerable communities are bearing the brunt of more frequent, prolonged storms, unprecedented natural disasters, more extreme temperatures, and worsening air and water pollution. Climate change threatens to undermine our national security, create millions of refugees, endanger public health, and further exacerbate economic inequality.
The Administration in Washington, DC is intent on denying the impact of climate change while simultaneously gutting critical environmental protections, opening public lands for private exploitation, and placing corporate profits above the health of our planet. The time for small steps and half-measures is over.
It’s time for a Green New Deal, which will fundamentally transform our political and economic systems to prioritize the preservation of our planet and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change in our communities.
And we cannot pretend that the challenges facing our environment exist in a silo – that environmental justice is not intrinsically linked to racial justice, economic justice, and health justice. Our response to the climate crisis must be rooted in the understanding that entrenched disparities and inequities make certain communities less resilient in the face of climate change, and that the destructive impact of climate change on those same communities is magnified. We must take a comprehensive approach to addressing environmental challenges, preparing for the impacts of climate change, and expanding access to clean air, clean water, and green space that centers our most vulnerable communities.
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