7 Ways to Fight Back: Philly’s Perfect Response to Trump’s Climate Disaster

I was so swamped prepping for last evening’s Beyond the Blog panel discussion that I almost missed the HUGE headlines.

Trump terrified us again by signing an executive order to roll back Obama Climate Policies – with climate change denier (and willful blindness extraordinaire) Scott Pruitt by his side – to “bring back” coal jobs. The order also “removes barriers to coal, oil and gas development on federal lands, and rolls back orders for federal agencies to consider climate change in decision-making.”

His lies to “repeal the Clean Power Plan, which would have closed hundreds of coal-fired power plants, frozen construction of new plants and replaced them with vast new wind and solar farms” were followed by 45’s quote to coal miners — saying “You know what this says?” You’re going back to work.”

Beyond the fact that climate change is real and a HUGE threat, there are a few minor things wrong with this statement. Solar provides twice as many jobs as coal. Also, I need to come clean. My grandfather was a coal miner. He also died of a violent lung cancer — complications from YOU GUESSED IT… coal mining.

Trump is trying to promise these coal miners a job – a risky, dirty job… over clean, thriving industry. And as someone from last evening’s career panel mentioned, the solar industry NEEDS electricians. Technical, old-fashioned skills we forgot about from behind our computer screens. Retrain these out-of-work factory folk with electrician skills and the problem (begins to be…) SOLVED.

This news makes no logical sense. Lucky for us, our city leaders took no time to put on the gloves.

Philly response to the executive order disaster

The City of Philadelphia took no time to blast Trump for these terrible decisions. The press release began, “Calling it irresponsible and disastrous, Mayor Kenney today released a response..”

As Mayor Kenney said, “the proposed Trump budget would have immediate and drastic effects on many programs that Philadelphians rely on, such as those that support local air pollution prevention efforts, or that help residents save money on energy.”

Christine Knapp, Philadelphia’s Director of the Office of Sustainability, stated, “Scientific consensus compels us to act now to reduce harmful carbon pollution to protect public health now and in the future.”

What YOU Can Do to Fight Back: Philly Action Guide

Just when we thought we were helpless. The City put together a guide that includes facts, ways to help and other resources. Or, you can read the city’s blog post urging action by residents.

For those hesitant to click a link, here’s the gist of the guide.

7 Ways to Fight Back

1.Share these quick facts and action guide with your networks.

2. Take action in your community: The Office of Sustainability has developed one-page guides on how individuals, communities, and large institutions can save energy and take action on climate change. Visit OOS’s website to view our Greenworks on the Ground checklists.

3. Contact the White House (202-456-1111) and let the Trump Administration know that you oppose these cuts to critical environmental programs and support strong federal action to reduce climate emissions.

4. Contact Senator Toomey (215-241-1090) and Senator Casey (215-405-9660) and let them know you support Congressional action to restore funding to these critical programs and support Congressional action to address climate change. (Hint: You might want to fax Toomey since he often doesn’t check voicemail.)

5. Contact local legislators. Pennsylvania can continue to develop an implementation strategy for the Clean Power Plan even as it is held in court. Contact your local representative and Governor Wolf (215-560-2640) and let them know the Clean Power Plan should be a priority for Pennsylvania.

6. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper sharing why you believe these proposed budget cuts would harm Philadelphia or why you believe it is critical for the Clean Power Plan to be fully implemented.

7. Donate or volunteer for an organization including PennFuture, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Clean Water Action, PennEnvironment, Clean Air Council and more.

Read the FULL guide here.