Event at Trinity United Church of Christ Outlines Risks of Climate Disruption; Solidifies Faith Community Action on Climate
CHICAGO—(ENEWSPF)—September 15, 2014. On Saturday, hundreds from Chicago’s faith community gathered at Trinity Church of Christ (Trinity UCC) on Chicago’s South Side to voice support for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) historic Clean Power Plan, released in June. The Clean Power Plan gives states an opportunity to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency while curbing dangerous carbon pollution from power plants.
Illinois has been hard-hit by the impacts of climate disruption. These impacts include damaging droughts, floods, and high ozone alert days, which make breathing difficult for asthmatics, children, and the elderly.
“Climate change is real and a threat to our nation’s well-being and to the health of all of our citizens,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “We support the Clean Power Plan being advanced by the U.S. EPA and further commit to vigorously pursuing our own sustainability initiatives, including strengthening energy efficiency measures for buildings in Cook County.”
Air pollution from power plants causes acute effects on public health and the long-lasting health impacts of climate disruption put our health at an even greater risk. As temperatures rise, the most vulnerable communities in Illinois will be exposed to conditions that can result in more illness and death due to asthma and respiratory illness, heat- and weather-related stress and diseases.
“The burden of climate change impacts and decades of dangerous pollution has fallen on our city’s most vulnerable communities. That is why we stand up and applaud President Obama for taking action to address climate change,” said the Rev Dr. Otis Moss III, Senior Pastor of Trinity UCC. “It is our moral obligation to fight this injustice and inequality by cutting pollution and bringing good, clean energy jobs to every community in our state. Governor Quinn has our support to build a plan that prioritizes renewable energy and energy efficiency in Illinois.”
According to the Respiratory Health Association, death rates from asthma are particularly high for African Americans and Hispanics – four to six times higher than for Caucasians – and are concentrated in urban areas, including Chicago. Age-adjusted asthma mortality in Chicago was nearly five times higher in non-Hispanic blacks than in non-Hispanic whites. A public health study found that asthma prevalence rates in Chicago are concentrated in low-income and minority communities, reflecting a trend nationwide.
“Climate change and air pollution already have an immediate impact on the respiratory health of children, adults and the elderly in the city of Chicago, where asthma rates are already high,” said Dr. Michael B. Foggs, President of The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and Respiratory Health Association board member. “Addressing climate change is a priority for me as a physician, because everyone should have access to clean air and a healthy environment.”
“Pollution and climate change will continue to deteriorate the health of our most vulnerable communities,” said Angela Odoms-Young, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Kinesiology and Nutrition in the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and a member of the Trinity UCC. “Low income communities and communities of color are frequently the hardest hit by climate change. The longer we wait to take action to curb pollution, the more we hurt our environment, our economy, and our health. I support all efforts to curb dangerous carbon pollution and invest in clean energy in Illinois.”
Renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions have already helped the state of Illinois cut millions of tons of pollution while creating nearly 100,000 jobs in urban and rural communities. This month, Elevate Energy and Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) are inviting the Woodlawn neighborhood community to tour the recently rehabbed affordable housing Washington apartment complex. POAH was able to include comprehensive energy-saving improvements that are expected to reduce energy costs by as much as 40 percent.
“Because we have a moral obligation to care for the earth, Governor Quinn and state agencies have the full support of faith communities in Chicago and throughout Illinois to build a strong plan that prioritizes energy efficiency and renewable energy jobs,” said Rev. Brian Sauder, Executive Director of Faith in Place.
Trinity United Church of Christ (Trinity UCC), under the leadership of its Senior Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, is located on the Southside of Chicago. Trinity UCC’s inter-generational ministry includes “360 Worship,” Social Justice Advocacy, ACT and SAT prep for youth, service to elders, “Party with a Purpose for the Homeless,” resources for persons living with HIV/AIDS, and Drug and Alcohol Recovery support. Trinity UCC operates the George Washington Carver Organic Garden for neighbors living in food deserts, and provides sustainability education “by any greens necessary.” Trinity UCC “Lifts up Christ, Engages the Community, and Celebrates Our Culture.”
#ActOnClimate
The broad coalition that organized this event in support of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan includes health and environmental justice advocates, business owners, faith leaders, clean energy supporters and conservationists:
Alliance for the Great Lakes, Blue Green Alliance, Chicago Youth Climate Coalition, Chicago Clean Power Coalition, Chicago Environmental Justice Alliance, Clean Energy Trust, Clean Power Lake County Coalition, Delta Institute, Elevate Energy, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Environment Illinois, Faith in Place & the IL Interfaith Power & Light Campaign, Illinois Environmental Council, Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, Illinois Solar Energy Association, Illinois Student Environmental Council, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Wildlife Federation, Organizing for Action-Illinois, People for Community Recovery, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Prairie Rivers Network, Respiratory Health Association, Trinity United Church of Christ, The Sierra Club, Southeast Environmental Taskforce, Union of Concerned Scientists
Source: sierraclub.org
