First-Ever People’s Climate Float – from Cooper’s Landing to the Governor’s Office – Comes Ahead of Critical International Climate Talks in Paris
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Today, members of the Missouri Clean Energy Coalition, a collection of over 30 organizations and public officials representing over 100,000 Missourians, canoed 26 miles down the Missouri River to deliver more than 2,000 petitions to Governor Jay Nixon and Attorney General Chris Koster in support of clean energy and climate action. The Missouri Clean Energy Coalition’s first-ever People’s Climate Float was part of the 100 city National Day of Action calling for a reduction in carbon emissions that will improve health and continue to build the clean energy economy of the 21st century.
This summer, President Obama made good on his word to protect our air and our climate for future generations when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its historic Clean Power Plan. The Clean Power Plan gives every state an opportunity to build it’s own plan to curb carbon pollution from power plants.
The Missouri Clean Energy Coalition stated, “We want to build on the momentum from the announcement of the Clean Power Plan and the steady shift away from dirty energy to show the mass support that climate-friendly policies enjoy among communities affected by pollution. In joining with communities across the nation, we hope to send a strong message to elected officials here and abroad that Americans are ready to stand for climate justice.”
Overall, The CPP aims to reduce carbon emissions from coal-fired plants by 32 percent by 2030. This will translate to savings in health care costs of up to $8.8 billion by 2030 as well as avoiding 2,700 to 6,600 premature deaths and 140,000 to 150,000 asthma attacks in children. Presently, these devastating effects disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color. To ensure vulnerable communities share the benefits and don’t unfairly shoulder the burden of a clean energy transition, the CPP includes incentives to create family-sustaining clean energy jobs in vulnerable communities, and to fund economic development and worker protections for communities dependent on coal production.
In fact, when combined with high road labor policies, a shift to renewable sources can help restore family-sustaining wages by creating quality careers in manufacturing and construction for burgeoning solar and wind industries. Studies projecting the economic cost of a clean energy transition actually see an economic boon.
Organizers hope that with broad support from an array of communities across the country that are affected by carbon emissions, like Columbia, momentum can swell in favor of a clean energy economy. After the 26 mile canoe trip, members of the Missouri Clean Energy Coalition will march the petitions across the Jefferson City Bridge and meet with staff. The groups will urge Governor Nixon to support policies that bring new clean energy investment to Missouri communities, which will strengthen local tax bases, create family-sustaining jobs and curb pollution. This comes on the eve of the anticipated Missouri State Energy Plan release.
In addition to the health and economic benefits, the CPP is an affirmation to allies of the United States of its commitment to curbing its greenhouse gas emissions both at home and globally.
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About the Missouri Clean Energy Coalition
The Missouri Clean Energy Coalition’s (MCEC) mission is to grow Missouri’s clean and renewable energy economy to reduce fossil fuel pollution, address climate change and create jobs now. MCEC members and supporters include the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, Missouri Sierra Club, Renew Missouri, Jewish Environmental Initiative, a committee of the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis, Missouri Interfaith Power & Light, Ethical Society of St. Louis, Mid-Missouri Peaceworks/Missourians for Safe Energy, Labadie Environmental Organization, Union of Concerned Scientists, Central Reform Congregation, Earthdance Farms, Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice, Missouri ProVote, League of Women Voters, St. Louis Chapter, Diesel Health Project, Populists in Action, 350KC, M-SLICE, Organizing for Action (OFA) Climate Team, Progress Missouri, Franciscan Sisters of Mary, Climate Reality St. Louis, State Senator Jill Schupp, State Representative Stacey Newman, State Representative Margo McNeil, State Representative Jeanne Kirkton, State Representative Tracy McCreery, State Representative Deb Lavender, State Representative Judy Morgan.
