Take Action
This page is devoted to issues that WCAS feels are important on Federal, state and local environmental issues. Below you will find a brief summary of each issue and links to sample letters. We hope that you will join us in supporting these issues.
This is your opportunity to Take Action and let your government know what environmental issues are important to you.
PRESIDENT PULLS SMOG REGULATION REVIEW
Earlier this month, President Obama surrendered to the big
polluters and stopped the review of the EPA’s proposed public health
safeguard against smog. The recent announcement from the White House
that they will retreat from the fight over the health of our children by
delaying the proposed standard on ozone pollution represents a capitulation
to industry polluters and huge corporations at the expense of children and
families. While the President may have temporarily appeased polluters, he
disappointed millions of Americans who were depending on him to protect our
air.
The smog standard would have saved 12,000 American lives and prevented 5,300
heart attacks and thousands of asthma attacks each year. By delaying the
rule for at least two years, he’s ignored the fate of 24,000 Americans
suffer from breathing dirty air.
The president should stand firm against the polluters and move forward with
other important public health safeguards including protections against air
pollution from mercury and other toxics, emissions from power plants and
vehicles, and other clean air provisions.
What You Can Do:
For more info contact
Eric at euhde@audubon.org
BAD AIR DAYS: SHARE YOUR STORY
Do you or someone you know suffer from asthma or other respiratory
illnesses? Are symptoms worsened during bad air days? Tell us your story.
Air pollution standards save hundreds of thousands of lives and
prevent countless asthma attacks, heart attacks, and premature deaths. We
need strong voices to fight those who pollute, and oppose public health
protections to reduce toxic emissions.
To tell your story contact Marnie,
murso@audubon.org
RESTORE ACT FOR THE GULF COAST
More than a year after the disastrous BP Deepwater Horizon oil
spill, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee has approved
the RESTORE ACT. This bi-partisan legislation directs 80% of any Clean
Water Act penalties owed by BP back to the five damaged states. Depending on
court findings this could be anywhere between $5 billion and $20 billion.
The damage inflicted by the oil spill last year took a terrible
toll on Gulf ecosystems including the diverse and valuable bird populations
that call the Gulf coast states home. Congress has ensured that oil spill
fines go to the Gulf. The RESTORE Act will make sure that happens.
This is sensible legislation with strong support from leaders on
both sides of the aisle. During these deeply partisan times, this is
an opportunity for Congress to show that it can come together to do what’s
right for the American people.
Restoring the communities and environment of the Gulf region is
critical not only to the region’s economy, but also to the strength of our
national economy. Thousands of people visit the Gulf coast every year for
birding and to see the wildlife that is unique to this region. The Gulf
currently supports a $34 billion per year tourism industry, and its
fisheries support an estimated $22.6 billion dollars in seafood, commercial
and recreational fishing-related activity.
Using Gulf oil spill penalties to restore the Gulf region’s
communities, environment and economy is the fair and right thing to do.
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How does your congress person rank on conservation issues?
Take a look at the League of Conservation Voters website. Put your zipcode in to see your representatives. Click on Scorecard to see their score for the current session. Then click on their name for detailed information on specific issues.
League of Conservation Voters
or
http://www.lcv.org/
All you have to do is enter your zip code to see who your representatives are.
Then you can click on “Scorecard” to see their environmental conservation score
for the current session. You may also click on their name for detailed
information on specific issues. Remember that a quick visit to your local
library can make the internet available to you...just ask the librarian for help
if you need it. You may also do a search using the League of
Conservation Voters as subject.
Want to contact your state and federal elected officials?
Your state representative can be found at: www.house.state.oh.us/
Your state senator can be found at: www.senate.state.oh.us/
Your federal representative is found at: www.house.gov
Your federal senators can be found at: www.senate.gov
The Ohio Environmental Council has also produced a handy directory of state and federal elected officials with pertinent information. You may request a copy at http://www.theoec.org and click on “Resources” or call them at 614-487-7506.