On June 10, I, along with hundreds of fellow Pennsylvanians, participated in PennEnvironment’s virtual Climate Action Lobby Day. It was amazing to witness how many Pennslyvanians care so much about minimizing the disastrous effects of climate change.
My fellow constituents and I had many concerns about our health and the health of future Pittsburgh generations. This is especially noted in the poor air quality Pittsburgh often experiences. Our worsening climate will only cause further air pollution. In Pittsburgh, residents are at high risk for heightened lung and cardiovascular conditions.
Healthier communities and livable futures are possible now, if we take the available steps PennEnvironment is advocating for. We can make the transition off of the dirty fossil fuels that drive climate change and replace them with clean energy sources of the future. We need climate action now!
I was disappointed to see Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Bridgeville, put the interests of the fossil-fuel industry ahead of the future of his constituents by voting to block climate action (Senate Bill 119). I hope that in the future he will reconsider and vote to protect the health and well-being of his constituents.
Julia Micklo
Jefferson
The writer is an intern with PennEnvironment.