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:

Take the Clean Air Promise  

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.

 


Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society, 4310 Bush Ave, Cleveland, OH 44109 info@wcasohio.org