WE’RE IN A CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND OUR GOVERNMENT MUST ACT
QUICK READ: The “suffocating conditions” now being experienced by much of the Northeast “that have become a regular occurrence in the West, [are] yet another stark reminder that the climate crisis is here. . . .We ought to treat it like the emergency it is.”
--Representative Earl Blumenauer
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
Two weeks ago, nearly 130 million Americans on the East Coast confronted dangerous health risks caused by Canadian wildfires.
Fueled by climate change’s hotter temperatures and drier air, wildfires, already the single largest source of America’s particulate pollution, will become more frequent, powerful, and deadlier—profoundly and permanently damaging our bodies, our homes, and our livelihoods.
These wildfires are only Nature’s most recent messages. Others include:
· Record heat waves and high sea temperatures;
· Steadily intensifying hurricanes.
Since fossil fuels are these climate emergencies’ root cause, eliminating them must be our top priority.
Legislation’s necessary, but MAGA Republicans instead focus on protecting gas stoves, trivializing climate change, rewarding Big Oil, and rolling back clean air protections and Biden’s climate initiatives.
Biden must step into the breach, marshaling sweeping powers fighting global warming by declaring a Climate Emergency under the National Emergencies Act to:
· Cancel the Mountain Valley Pipeline included in the debt-ceiling agreement and other planet-heating projects;
· Phase out ongoing oil and gas drilling on public lands;
· Redirect funds to boost “clean” energy construction;
· Block crude oil exports.
Oregon MoCs, whose constituents have regularly faced wildfire pollution, are the perfect spokespeople to convince Biden to declare a climate emergency.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Millions of people across North America are breathing smoke from Canada’s out-of-control wildfires—the latest effect of the climate crisis, which we can only combat by drastically reducing the burning of fossil fuels. Thank you for co-sponsoring both the Climate Emergency Resolution demanding that President Biden use both existing and emergency powers to protect people and wildlife rather than oil company profits and the Cleaner Air Spaces Act (S.1948), which will make clean air more accessible to vulnerable communities. Given your commitment to green energy and your first-hand experience with wildfires, you are the perfect person to convince President Biden to declare a “climate emergency.”
*SEN. WYDEN:* Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Millions of people across North America are breathing smoke from Canada’s out-of-control wildfires—the latest effect of the climate crisis, which we can only combat by drastically reducing the burning of fossil fuels. Thank you for co-sponsoring the Cleaner Air Spaces Act (S.1948), which will make clean air more accessible to vulnerable communities, but more drastic measures are necessary to create a livable planet for future generations. Given your commitment to green energy and your first-hand experience with wildfires, you are the perfect person to convince President Biden to declare a “climate emergency” and stop the federal approval of all existing and new fossil fuel projects.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Millions of people across North America are breathing smoke from Canada’s out-of-control wildfires—the latest effect of the climate crisis, which we can only combat by drastically reducing the burning of fossil fuels. It is time for you to protect your constituents by working to create a livable planet for future generations.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Millions of people across North America are breathing smoke from Canada’s out-of-control wildfires—the latest effect of the climate crisis, which we can only combat by drastically reducing the burning of fossil fuels. Thank you for co-sponsoring the Climate Emergency Resolution demanding that President Biden use both existing and emergency powers to protect people and wildlife rather than oil company profits. Given your commitment to green energy and your first-hand experience with wildfires, you are the perfect person to convince President Biden of the need to take drastic actions before it’s too late.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Millions of people across North America are breathing smoke from Canada’s out-of-control wildfires—the latest effect of the climate crisis, which we can only combat by drastically reducing the burning of fossil fuels. It is time for you to protect your constituents by working to create a livable planet for future generations.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Millions of people across North America are breathing smoke from Canada’s out-of-control wildfires—the latest effect of the climate crisis, which we can only combat by drastically reducing the burning of fossil fuels. Thank you for co-sponsoring the Climate Emergency Resolution demanding that President Biden use both existing and emergency powers to protect people and wildlife rather than oil company profits. Given your commitment to green energy and your first-hand experience with wildfires, you are the perfect person to convince President Biden of the need to take drastic actions before it’s too late.
Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Millions of people across North America are breathing smoke from Canada’s out-of-control wildfires—the latest effect of the climate crisis, which we can only combat by drastically reducing the burning of fossil fuels. Thank you for co-sponsoring the Climate Emergency Resolution demanding that President Biden use both existing and emergency powers to protect people and wildlife rather than oil company profits. Given your commitment to green energy and your first-hand experience with wildfires, you are the perfect person to convince President Biden of the need to take drastic actions before it’s too late.
Script for Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Millions of people across North America are breathing smoke from Canada’s out-of-control wildfires—the latest effect of the climate crisis, which we can only combat by drastically reducing the burning of fossil fuels. It is time for you to protect your constituents by working to create a livable planet for future generations.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Millions of people across North America are breathing smoke from Canada’s out-of-control wildfires—the latest effect of the climate crisis, which we can only combat by drastically reducing the burning of fossil fuels. Thank you for co-sponsoring the Climate Emergency Resolution demanding that President Biden use both existing and emergency powers to protect people and wildlife rather than oil company profits. Given your commitment to green energy and your first-hand experience with wildfires, you are the perfect person to convince President Biden of the need to take drastic actions before it’s too late.
FURTHER READING
Amid Canadian wildfire haze, a clear message about climate change emerges
What’s actually in all that smoke you’re breathing
The wildfire smoke may be gone. But the health threat remains.
‘The fire equivalent of an ice age’: Humanity enters a new era of fire
Rep. Peters and Sens. Bennet & Merkley Introduce Bill to Protect Communities from Wildfire Smoke
Fears of hottest year on record as global temperatures spike
Biden Urged to Demand ‘Climate Emergency’ as Smoke Chokes Washington
Converging on White House, Progressives Tell Biden to Cancel Mountain Valley Pipeline
Ways and Means approves tax bill hitting climate law
Wildfire smoke: Democrats warn of 'life-threatening' GOP 'climate denialism' amid haze
