Thousands rally in Seattle for a healthy climate and clean energy

Contact:
Andy Grow, Communications Director
Climate Solutions
206-706-7370 cell: 206-713-1792;
andy@climatesolutions.org

A spirited crowd estimated at 2,000 people gathered outside an EPA hearing in Seattle today, urging the Obama Administration to take action on reducing global warming pollution.

Hundreds of children and students joined members of the faith community, health officials, business leaders, environmental leaders, and elected officials including Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels to call upon the administration and congress to address the threat to public health posed by global warming pollution, support real solutions to global warming, create more green jobs and opportunity in the growing clean energy economy and end America’s dependence on dirty energy sources like coal. Coal power makes up 17 percent of Washington State’s energy grid and is the state’s largest contributor to global warming pollution in the energy sector.

The rally on Seattle’s waterfront coincided with a nearby Environmental Protection Agency public hearing on EPA’s recent proposed finding that global warming pollution is a threat to public health and welfare. The Seattle hearing and another in Arlington, Virginia on May 18 were the only two public hearings on EPA’s proposed finding.  The “endangerment” finding is the first step toward regulating global warming pollution from coal plants, cars and other major polluters.

"The EPA had its head in the sand for the past eight years, but now they pulled it up and looked around -- and saw the climate crisis at hand, as well as the opportunity for a clean energy future," said Dan Ritzman, Western Director for the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign. "We in the Northwest can pledge to replace our dirty, unhealthy coal power with clean energy efficiency and renewables. In doing so, we will create more jobs, clean our air and water, and ensure a secure, stable, affordable power supply for generations to come."

At times the rally resembled a party as attendees celebrated real federal action on global warming after years of denial and stonewalling by the Bush administration.  On-stage appearances by dozens of children from throughout the region, and an inspired youth leader from Portland -- who bussed to Seattle with hundreds of other Oregonians -- urged decision makers to address climate change now, for the health of future generations.

“We pledge to end this climate crisis within our lifetimes, because failing to do so is unconscionable,” said David Nokovic of Portland State University. “We pledge to hold ourselves and our elected officials accountable, and we pledge to work with all who will join us.”

"As President of Physicians for Social Responsibility I represent thousands of health professionals and we speak with urgency and conviction in support of this finding. The range of health effects includes more intense heat waves, increased air pollution resulting in asthma and other respiratory diseases, mosquito and water-borne infectious diseases, flooding and severe storms,” said Dr. Evan Kanter, a Seattle physician and President of the Board, Physicians for Social Responsibility. “The World Health Organization estimates that global warming is already responsible for 150,000 deaths and 5 million illnesses each year. The science is clear and we must act immediately to limit the potentially catastrophic impacts of global warming.”

Rabbi Zari Weiss offered a blessing for our shared work addressing the challenge of climate change and called on those present to support efforts at the local, state, and federal level.  Rabbi Weiss was joined on stage by 25 religious leaders from a multitude of faith traditions and religious denominations, showing the depth and breadth of commitment in the faith community for action on climate change. 

In a statement, the Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel, Episcopal Bishop of Olympia, lent his support: “I am convinced that global warming is an unprecedented threat to God’s good creation, whatever the source...These EPA hearings are an important opportunity to ensure that individual efforts to cut carbon are supported, enhanced, and encouraged by regulations at the federal level.”

Also joining the speaking line up was Ash Awad, the Vice President for Energy at McKinstry.  McKinstry is a 49 year Seattle-based business that designs, builds, and operates high performance buildings, with 1,500 employees in 12 states. Their primary focus is on making buildings more energy and operationally efficient, while improving the physical environment – in and outside the building. They work with schools, cities, counties, universities, and private corporations to improve their built and to-be built environments, while dramatically reducing energy, water, and solid waste inefficiencies.

Awad delivered  powerful message to the crowd, “It is our belief that America must transform into a leaner, greener energy consumer and placing a market value on carbon will catalyze a new age of efficiency, conservation and renewable technologies that will both dramatically reduce harmful green house gases, and propel American innovation and growth for a decades to come.”

"No longer will we stand idly by -- while big industry polluters destroy our planet and rob our children's future. Future generations are looking to President Obama to end coal and oil industries rule over our country's energy and environmental policies. It's time for the American people to decide their future!," said Greenpeace organizer Sofia Gidlund.

Climate Solutions’ Policy Director KC Golden, a veteran of almost two decades working for climate and clean energy issues, was optimistic that the Obama administration’s actions mark a significant change, with hope for the future:

“It’s a new day.  This is the end of federal do-nothingism, and the beginning of a strong national commitment to build a new energy economy that delivers real climate solutions and green for all.  And not a minute too soon!” said Golden. “The Administration is stepping up, and when Congress does too, we’ll be on our way to a strong national climate and energy program and a global climate treaty in December.”