YOUR ACTION IS NEEDED!

In August is the congressional recess and all members are in their home states to engage with their constituents. Take this opportunity to meet with your Congresspeople. Make an appointment and use thesetalking pointsor drop by their office andleave this document behind. Let us know what you did and any feedback you got. (info@eldersclimateaction.org)

Find Congressional contact information forfederal and home offices here.

OPPOSE EPA RULE CHANGES DESTRUCTIVE TO CLIMATE AND HEALTH

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to add your comments to these two current EPA rule-change proposals. These include the rollback of critical standards in place since 2011 or earlier, and updated in 2024.

TAKEACTION

1. To submit your comment to the Federal Register for the repeal of the Carbon Pollution from Power Plants Rule,CLICK HERE.Or submit a commenton your own here. The deadline for comments is August 7th.Repeal of this rule limiting greenhouse gas emissions is in direct contradiction to the scientific evidence and will speed climate change and harm human health for decades to come.

2. To submit your comment to the Federal Register for proposed repeal of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards,CLICK HERE.Or submit a commenton your own here. The deadline for comments is August 10th.Methylmercury pollution falls to the earth and migrates into groundwater, rivers and lakes, and into the fish we eat. It is a powerful neurotoxin which can affect our vision, speech, hearing, and immune and cardiovascular systems; further, it travels through the placenta and into breast milk, impacting the neurological development of infants.

Last year our comments to the EPA and legislators in support of rule changes and legislation that support the well-being of all Americans made a real difference. Let’s keep at it!

SUPPORT COURAGEOUS EPA STAFF!

Several hundred current and former EPA staff members sent an open letter two weeks ago to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin outlining five concerns about current EPAactionsand White House policies that, taken together, “undermine the EPA mission of protecting human health and the environment.” The letter highlights EPAactionsthat will roll back environmental regulations designed to meet the climate crisis, eliminate environmental justice considerations, and undercut the role of science in the EPA’s decision-making. The letter concludes: “Your decisions andactionswill reverberate for generations to come. EPA under your leadership will not protect communities from hazardous chemicals and unsafe drinking water, but instead will increase risks to public health and safety.” The letter explicitly asks Administrator Zeldin to reverse course, honor his oath, and “serve the American people.”

TAKEACTION

To support the courageous EPA signatories of this letter (139 of whom have now been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into their signing the letter), go to the“Stand Up for Science” website here.

PREPARING FOR DISASTER

Extreme weather is life-changing. Whether it’s a hurricane, winter storm, flash flood, tornado, wildfire, or heat wave, climate disasters can damage or destroy your home and property, cause lengthy power outages, and stall civic services. Grist’s comprehensive guide,DISASTER 101, will help people stay ready and informed before, during, and after these traumatic and chaotic events, including where to find and build support in your community. They list the most accurate weather updates and emergency alerts, explain the roles different agencies play in disaster aid, and provide details on our rights.