Repower America for clean air.
A repost from Repower America.
This week marks the 40th anniversary of the Clean Air Act.
Since the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, it has stood as a major defense against big polluters and helped us dramatically reduce both air and water pollution. This legislation that has done so much is once again facing attack from all sides: big oil, dirty coal and their allies in Congress who would like to see the law crumble, threatening our health and our quality of life.
We need more people to join the fight to protect the Clean Air Act, and that’s why Alec Baldwin, Kris Kristofferson and thousands of others have come together to create a new video to help get this important message out.
Please check out the video and spread the word to help save the Clean Air Act.
What has the Clean Air Act done for us?
According to the EPA website, since the Clean Air Act was enacted in 1970, we have observed
? new cars that are 90% cleaner;
? a near halt in the production of most chemicals that deplete the ozone layer;
? a 50% decrease in six major air pollutants; and
? a 70% reduction in toxic air emissions from large industrial sources.
Still not convinced?
In their Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act, the EPA describes a variety of reasons why you should care about air pollution:
? Public Health: Breathing polluted air is not only unpleasant — it can aggravate existing health problems as well as create new ones (asthma, for example). In a report to Congress, the EPA estimated that in 2010, the Clean Air Act will avert over 1.7 million incidences of asthma attacks and aggravation of chronic asthma.
? Environment: The negative effects of air pollution are not limited to the air. Air pollutants can form acid rain that affects our planet’s bodies of water, wildlife and plant life.
? Economics: Our economy also takes a hit. As air pollution leads to more health problems, the cost of healthcare for affected individuals continues to climb. In addition, the effects on the environment cause significant losses in agriculture and other industries. A 2008 study coauthored by two California State University Fullerton professors found that “dirty air” in California costs the state’s economy $28 billion per year (and that’s just California).
? Bottom Line: The Clean Air Act is our last, best line of defense against air pollution.
Clean air is yours, mine and ours. It belongs to all of us. Let’s keep it that way.