JULY 2023

FOR OUR PLANET; FOR OUR CHILDREN: START NOW

Start now.

Start where you are.

Start with fear.

Start with pain.

Start with doubt.

Start with hands shaking.

Start with voice trembling but start.

Start and don’t stop. Start where you are,

with what you have.

Just… start.”

― Ijeoma Umebinyuo,

Nigerian poet

ECA’S ALLIANCES ARE THE ENGINE OF OUR POWER

We are elders (and some elders-to-be) who fear for the future, for our own and all children. Our mission is to mobilize our generation to join the fight to address climate change while there is still time to preserve a livable planet. “Mobilize” is the operative word. We amplify our power by collaborating with dozens of organizations that provide the scientific research and programs for taking action in this fight. Our monthly newsletters and action alerts contain up-to-date information on a wide variety of climate issues along with actions that enable you, our members, to make a real impact. So far in 2023, ECA members have sent over 3400 individual comments to the EPA on proposed rules, as part of four massive collaborations that brought over 1,776,000 total comments.

You can help us build our power (and yours) by talking about the need for climate action with everyone: friends, family and neighbors. Tell them to join us, and join the fight!  For more information, please visit our website and, if you would like to explore more ways you can get engaged with ECA, please contact info@elderclimateaction.org or join us for the next ECA 101 on July 14, 3PM (ET).

WE SURE COULD USE A FEW MORE GOOD COMMUNICATORS!

ECA’s national communications team is seeking volunteers to contribute a few hours each month to help expand our reach and inform our members about high-impact actions they can take to save our planet. Every month, we publish a newsletter and an action bulletin or two, including news of our collaborations with other climate organizations on large-scale campaigns that have big impacts. We’re looking for writers and folks with content-editing skills. You don’t need to be a climate expert to help with this work; you’ll learn as you go. Sound like gratifying work? It sure is!!!

TAKE ACTION:
Reach out to us by email at info@eldersclimateaction.org and let’s discuss how you can contribute!

THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT—FOCUS ON THE STATES 

One year ago this month, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), propelling the largest investment in climate and clean energy in U.S. history. Since then, we’ve  shared resources about the tax benefits and funding available to consumers and homeowners, like Vox’s guide to homeowner tax credits and NRDC’s consumer guide to the IRA.

This month, we focus on IRA funding that will go directly to state governments to promote home energy efficiency, decarbonization projects, equitable green financial institutions, and more. To get these funds, each state must apply and then submit plans for using the money. Your state’s programs can create thousands of jobs, cut energy costs and drive investment into disadvantaged communities in addition to significantly lowering GHG emissions.

The sooner your state designs its program, the sooner the rebates become available to residents. Check out Evergreen Action’s guide to six key IRA opportunities for states, then check your state government’s website to make sure they are working now to meet the application and planning deadlines. Next, TAKE ACTION: by following up with your elected state representatives to make sure that they reach out to communities and deploy every available dollar.

PUSH FERC TO MOVE FAST TO EXPAND REGIONAL POWER TRANSMISSION 

Other than the appalling green light for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, the climate movement suffered no major betrayals in the Fiscal Responsibility Act that raised the debt ceiling. But it added some requirements that could cause delays in the much-needed upgrades to our power transmission systems: the act requires the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC)  to conduct a study to determine whether the U.S. needs more transmission capacity between regions.  Once the study is completed (NERC has 18 months), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has another year to seek public comments and file a report with Congress.

Thanks to the IRA, the U.S. is rapidly building new clean power generation capacity along with more EVs and green building innovations to use that clean energy. But – to move our new wind and solar power from wide open spaces where it is generated to towns and cities where people will use it, we must have a lot more transmission capacity and better connectivity between regions. This recent study concluded that 80 percent of the greenhouse gas reductions funded under the IRA could be lost if the U.S. doesn’t build enough transmission capacity, leaving us with dirty fossil-fueled energy. Fortunately, boosting transmission capacity between regions is a top priority for FERC’s acting Chairman Willie Phillips,who plans to move ahead at FERC concurrently with the NERC study.

TAKE ACTION:

Click here to send a letter to Chairman Phillips, asking him to use FERC’s full authority to accelerate transmission improvements between regions.

And on Sunday July 16, 2:30-5 pm Central Time ((3:30-6 pm Eastern), attend (in-person or virtually) FERC’s Joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission, and submit a comment using this text. Click here for FERC guidance on commenting.

EPA SAYS “SAFE THRESHOLD FOR PFAS IS ZERO”

We say: “Hey EPA, so how about classifying them as hazardous substances and cleaning them up under the superfund law?” PFAS are toxic chemicals used in industrial processing that turn up in many places where they do not belong, including in our drinking water and food. Click here for NPR’s report on them. The CDC reports that more than 98% of  people in the U.S. have PFAS in their bodies. Nicknamed “forever chemicals,” PFAS persist in our bodies and in the environment for decades, which is why the Environmental Protection Agency must act now to start getting them out of the environment. The 1980 Superfund law mandates and pays for communities to clean up pollution caused  by toxic contaminants. Unfortunately, while the EPA acknowledges PFAS are highly toxic, it does not classify them as hazardous substances, so they are not currently covered by the Superfund law.

TAKE ACTION:

With our allies at Earthjustice: CLICK HERE to send a letter today telling the EPA to add PFAS to the Superfund list and clean up this public health crisis!

CLIMATE ACTION NOW: GET LOUD FOR THE FARM BILL

This fall’s renewal of thehuge 2023 Farm Bill–projected at $1.51 trillion (about 2.4% of total US federal budget)–presents an unparalleled opportunity to reduce agriculture’s 11% share of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Specific provisions of the bill that may help or harm the planet are hotly contested. Two upcoming events provide the opportunity to hear from experts who will unpack the Farm Bill provisions that can have the greatest positive impact on our environment and why it is critical for all of us to advocate for them. We helped get the Inflation Reduction Act passed, now let’s help the Farm Bill.

TAKE ACTION:

Join us for both of these events and help turn the Farm Bill into a watershed legislative victory for farmers AND the climate. Register for the Climate Action Now Action Party on July 13. Then register to join the ECA August Monthly National Call with Scott Faber from the Environmental Working Group.

DEADLINE AUGUST 8! SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT TODAY: CALLING FOR STRONGER EPA POWER PLANT STANDARDS

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the power sector contributes more than a quarter of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions,  adding to the climate crisis and making life increasingly dangerous for millions of people. Until now, there has been no regulation at all of coal and gas-fired plants’ carbon emissions; but in May 2023,EPA took a major step to limit carbon pollution from power plants that burn fossil fuels, proposing two vital rules that would set carbon pollution standards for new and existing plants. The new rules will end more than 600 million metric tons of CO2 pollution from power plants, preventing  300,000 asthma attacks and 1,300 premature deaths in 2030 alone, and delivering up to $85 billion in climate and public health benefits over the next two decades.

“The single most effective tool the Biden administration has to take on climate change and build on the investments from the Inflation Reduction Act.”.That’s how our allies at Evergreen Action describe EPA’s rulemaking authority over carbon pollution from power plants. The proposed rules are significant but we are joining the call to make them stronger!

TAKE ACTION:

Submit a comment to EPA in support of finalizing stronger standards for Power Plants: click here to send a pre-written comment or click here to submit one on your own. Deadline August 8.

ADVICE FOR CLIMATE-FRIENDLY TRAVEL

As you plan your summer travels, keep in mind that America’s vehicles are the largest U.S. source of greenhouse gas emissions. And consider that air travel has a far greater impact than other forms of transportation. Around 2.4% of global CO2 emissions come from aviation and, along with other gasses and the vapor trails produced by aircraft, the industry is responsible for around 5% of global warming. Mile for mile, flying is the most planet-damaging way to travel.

In making your travel plans, please consider the following to minimize your climate impact:

1. Don’t fly unless it’s absolutely essential. Flying produces enormous emissions: a single overseas flight, per passenger, and causes as much damage as heating your house for an entire year. Look for alternatives. Read more here.
2. Cut down on car travel. Instead consider bus, rail, car sharing, biking, or walking.
3. Forgo that trip to a far-away place, and instead look for wonderful vacation experiences close to home.

TELL US WHAT YOU ARE DOING!

Hey Members and Chapters, please share what you and your communities are doing to act on the climate crisis. Your story could be included in our next newsletter. Email tidbits@eldersclimateaction.org.

“IN THE GOOD OL’ SUMMERTIME. . .”

Massachusetts Chapter: Here’s Tina Grosowsky (right) doing her part for the climate and ECA at the Westborough Sustainability Fair.

ECA’s Virginia Chapter is partnering with Third Act Virginia in an effort to engage more Virginia elders in climate action. Inspired by the success of our Northern California Chapter’s outreach to AARP, the Virginia Chapter hopes to motivate the AARP Virginia State Office to bring climate issues forward to more than a million AARP members in Virginia.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR, SEPTEMBER 17 NEW YORK CITY: MARCH TO #ENDFOSSILFUELS

ECA is joining with its global partners to call for a major grassroots action in New York on September 17th—just days before the bold and unprecedented Climate Ambition Summit on September 20 hosted by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Secretary General Guterres will allow entry to the Climate Ambition Summit only to world leaders who have committed to a fossil fuel phase out consistent with the Paris Accord.  Guterres intends to harden nations’ commitments ahead of the COP28 United Nations Climate Change Conference that begins November 30 in the United Arab Emirates. Our NYC action will put pressure on President Biden to stop greenlighting fossil fuel projects and to make significant commitments at the Climate Ambition Summit. Click here for the UN briefing on the event.

TAKE ACTION: 

If you are in the New York region, please join this very significant march; if you cannot be there amplify the event, call on your friends, or join phone banks to turn folks out Click here to sign up. More info on the March to #EndFossilFuels.

JOIN THIRD ACT’S “POWER UP COMMUNITIES!” CAMPAIGN 

Utility companies hold the financial, political, and technological power to alter the course of global climate change, and State Public Utility Commissions (“PUCs” or sometimes called Public Service Commissions) wield tremendous power over the U.S. utility sector.They are key to our efforts to transition U.S. power generation away from fossil fuels to clean energy sources,Here’s a blog post by Leah Stokes and Charles Hua of Rewiring America, on How to Transform Public Utility Commissions.

TAKE ACTION:

On June 14, our allies at Third Act launched a nationwide initiative to push PUCs to accelerate the clean power transition. Find out more about the campaign by listening to this recording of TA’s June 14 event. Then, take your first PUC action by using this easy tool to write a Letter to the Editor urging PUCs to shift to clean energy.

FROM THE NATIVE ORGANIZERS ALLIANCE: STOP THE DONLIN GOLD MINE

The Trump administration authorized a key Clean Water Act permit for the Donlin Gold Mine in Alaska, even though their own Environmental Impact Statement revealed that the project would destroy crucial salmon spawning habitats and threaten human health by contaminating the area with mercury and arsenic.

The Indigenous Yupik, Cup’ik, and Athabascan communities across Turtle Island are fighting back against a massive open-pit gold mine that would threaten their way of life and crucial food sources. People there rely on subsistence fishing in the remote area, with salmon making up more than 50% of people’s annual diets. The traditional process of fishing and preparing the fish is an important part of cultural and Native identity in the region.

TAKE ACTION:

Read more here and take action to support these frontline communities by demanding that the Biden Administration revoke the Trump-era permit for the Donlin Gold Mine.

ECA 101 For New Members

SECOND FRIDAY MONTHLY

3 PM (ET) | NOON (PT)

Register Now

Are you interested in learning how you can get more involved in climate action and in ECA’s work? Learn more about ECA’s mission, actions, and how you can become more engaged in supporting others in climate action at our monthly ECA 101 sessions.

ECA Monthly National Call with Dani Hupper from Evergreen Action

FOURTH TUESDAY MONTHLY

July 23, 7PM (ET) | 4PM (PT)

Register Now

Climate Catalysts: Unveiling the Power of Regulatory Work with Dani Hupper.  Are you eager to deepen your understanding of climate change solutions? Have you been wondering how regulations, like those from the EPA that we’ve been asking you to comment on, play a role in driving meaningful impact? Dani Hupper, Deputy Campaigns Director for Evergreen Action will share her expertise and firsthand experiences in navigating the complexities of regulatory initiatives, and exploring the potential of regulatory action to catalyze positive change in our fight against climate change. Discover the power of policy in shaping a sustainable future and learn how you push for regulatory action to protect our air, our water, our health and our climate.

DOWNLOAD THE CLIMATE ACTION NOW APP ON YOUR PHONE FOR DAILY ACTIONS 

The Climate Action Now app for your phone lets you take daily actions on climate change. It’s simple—point your cell phone camera at the QR code (right) and open the link that pops up to download the app and get started. By using this QR code you will be automatically connected to ECA actions. Every day, the app will provide you with new actions you can take to help end the climate crisis. 

We couldn’t do this work without the generosity of folks like you.

Please support ECA’s programming, events, and actions with a donation.

WE NOW HAVE HATS!

Get Your Hats, T-Shirts and more to show your support for climate action! Visit the ECA Bonfire Storeand get your ECA logo wear and custom designs and support ECA at the same time! All proceeds support ECA programming and events.

Elders Climate Action is a project of ELDERS ACTION NETWORK (EAN), a 501C3 organization whose mission is to build a movement of elders to address the social and environmental crises of our time. Visit the EAN website to learn about EAN’s other action groups and offerings.

www.eldersclimateaction.org

Elders Climate Action, a project of Elders Action Network
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