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The activists emphasized that addressing the climate crisis provides an opportunity to create not just a “clean energy economy” but a “fair and just” one too. They stress that the transition to a low carbon economy will provide “new jobs and training for workers hardest hit in the transition from fossil fuels, so communities and families can benefit from clean energy technology.”
The groups involved in today’s actions believe that “America can revitalize its manufacturing and construction industries by investing in energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and sustainable infrastructure. We don’t need to sacrifice economic growth, and we can protect the workers and communities who are most likely to be affected during the transition.”
Many of the participants argue we must address climate change or risk destroying our economy.
“Climate change doesn’t just impact our environment; it also hurts our economy,” said Dave Spangler at the rally in Cleveland, Ohio. Spangler, a charter boat captain on Lake Erie for the past 23 years, has been directly impacted by algae blooms in the lake.
“The bottom line is the climate change and these algae blooms are already hurting my bottom line. We need action now,” he said.
#Cleveland #peoplesclimate day of action #ActOnClimate #LakeErie #GreatLakes pic.twitter.com/KEEYBfFFri
— Marnie Urso (@MarnieUrso) October 14, 2015
For many, the recent extreme weather has really brought home the urgency of the crisis that we face.
“Recent events like the floods in my home of South Carolina, and disasters nationally and globally, show climate deniers that their continued denial of reality is devastating not only to the planet, but to human lives as well,” said Reverend Woodberry of Florence, South Carolina.
But the activists say the movement won’t end at the Paris climate talks.
“Any agreement that comes out of Paris will not mark the end of our efforts, but rather, it will be an important step in the global process of ending the climate crisis,” said Paul Getsos, national coordinator of the People’s Climate Movement. “The next step is to hold nations accountable to their commitments and continue to set the bar high for actions in fighting climate change.”
End the extraction economy! Invest in solutions! #peoplesclimate pic.twitter.com/CUO3g1FdTA
— Peoples Climate (@Peoples_Climate) October 14, 2015