Published Date: 

08/26/2010

Byline: 

Amy B. Dean

News Source: 

The Nation

Turning Out the Environmental Vote in 2010

Clean Water Action builds grassroots strength in key states and communities to change politics and environmental policy in states, local communities and Washington, DC. We run muscular and effective grassroots campaigns to defeat anti-environment candidates, and support candidates who are committed to protecting our waters, our health, and our future. Our political program is non partisan.

Today’s guest blogger is Emma Shlaes, Clean Water Action National Campaigns Associate.

Summer is winding down. When you put your child on the bus for school, or take that one last road trip of the season, you expect that everyone will stay safe and healthy, as long as there are no accidents. But there is a hidden danger lurking around most school buses, highways and too many residential neighborhoods and schools. Dangerous and preventable diesel pollution from buses, trucks and construction vehicles is placing families in harm's way.

Dirty diesel engines emit a mixture of particles, metals and gases called "particulate matter" which include over 40 "hazardous air pollutants" as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act. This mixture can cause a range of health problems. From increased rates of asthma, to lung cancer, stroke and heart attack, diesel pollution contributes to countless illnesses and 21,000 early deaths a year.

In addition to being a serious public health problem, diesel pollution contributes to climate change by emitting a pollutant that’s aptly named “black carbon”. Black carbon soot is approximately 2,000 times more potent as a global warming agent than an equal amount of carbon dioxide (CO2). Over half the black carbon emissions in the U.S. come from diesel engines. Fortunately, black carbon is a short-lived pollutant and does not remain in the atmosphere, so this is one aspect of climate change we can do something about right now.

How do you ask? Available retrofits can reduce diesel particulate matter and black carbon emissions by at least 90% from the 11 million old, dirty diesel engines that are currently used in the U.S. This means an instant reduction of black soot in our atmosphere. Additionally, studies indicate that for every dollar spent on reducing particulate matter pollution from diesel engines, $12 would be avoided in monetized health damages. That translates to improved health for you and your family.

Since 2005, the federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) has been funding retrofits for existing heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines in every state in the U.S. DERA has enjoyed support by: members of both parties in Congress, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and industry, labor, environmental and health groups. This important act is set to expire in 2011 and Congress must reauthorize it at the same level of funding if we are to see continued reduction in diesel pollution and the health effects it causes.

Clean Water Action works nationally and in the states to pass policies that will clean up diesel pollution and protect communities. Some states haven’t waited for government protections and funding to take action. For example, Clean Water Action recently helped Rhode Island pass the Clean Construction Law, which requires diesel-burning construction equipment on federally funded projects to be retrofitted to reduce emissions by 2013. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan and New Jersey have also taken action at the state and local level. Find out more.

Clean Water Action works as part of the Diesel Clean-Up Campaign, a nationwide collaboration of organizations committed to reducing diesel emissions 40 percent by the year 2012, 55 percent by 2015 and 70 percent by 2020. You can visit their website at www.dieselcleanup.org

At midnight on Saturday night, July 31st, the buzzer went off on the “formal session” part of the 2009-2010 legislative session in Massachusetts.  If you’ve been watching Massachusetts news in recent weeks you’ve heard about the stalemate that the legislature has been in as the House, the Senate and the Governor debate casino gambling.

One thing seemed to be universal among the advocates and lobbyists working the halls of the State House over the last two weeks: frustration that with days, then hours, left to go, very few of the thousands of bills awaiting action were being voted on.  

What are all those chemicals in your shampoo? Your lipstick? your aftershave? And what do they have to do with asthma, breast cancer and learning disabilities?

Learn, share and help change this toxic mess: Watch The Story of Cosmetics, a 8-minute film exposing the ugly truth about personal care products - brought to you by Clean Water Action, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Annie Leonard's Story of Stuff Project and Free Range Studios, and take action to help pass the Safe Cosmetics Act.

Diesel Pollution Makes Us Sick

Diesel engines emit a mixture of particles, metals and gasses including over 40 "hazardous air pollutants" as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act. Diesel pollution can trigger asthma and cause lung cancer, stroke, and heart attack, contributing to 21,000 early deaths a year. Nationally, diesel exhaust poses a cancer risk that is 7 times greater than the combined risk of all air toxics assessed by EPA. Diesel exhaust is particularly dangerous because it is emitted at ground level - just where people breathe it in¹ .

After less than three days under orders to avoid drinking, washing hands, or cooking with tap water, celebrations of relief took many forms. And many discovered they had a whole new perspective about turning on the tap.

Becky Smith, water coordinator for Clean Water Action, a nonprofit citizens advocacy group, said yesterday that the reaction to the leak shows that people tend to assume they will always have clean water.

New England is rich in water resources, she said, but the vast plumbing network that treats it and delivers it to the kitchen sink is seldom given much thought.

“Infrastructure that is underground and out of sight is out of mind, until there is a problem there,’’ Smith said.

Three candidates for governor expressed sharp differences last night over global warming, the Cape Wind project, and the cleanliness of the state’s parks at a gubernatorial forum dedicated to environmental issues. ...

The event was sponsored by about 30 environmental groups, and each of the candidates spoke separately for about 20 minutes before fielding questions.

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - A 20 foot baby bottle was displayed in the center of Northampton on Wednesday. Protesters put up this inflatable bottle to alert people to the dangers of BPA.

... "It's linked to obesity, hyperactivity, to learning disabilities. It's linked to thyroid problems breast cancer and prostate cancer," said Elizabeth Saunders of Clean Water Action.

Clean Water Action said that many parents know not to buy bottles made with BPA. But, they don't realize that some of the packaging their baby's food and formula comes in may contain BPA.

Members of the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow are pushing for regulations that would further restrict the presence of bisphenol A. The chemical is used in a wide variety of products, including plastic bottles and the linings of canned food containers. Studies of laboratory animals have suggested the chemical could cause developmental problems for children if they are exposed to small quantities early in life.

Alliance members want the state to prohibit BPA in packaging for infant formula and baby food as well as all reusable food and beverage containers.