Become a Climate Voter Now!
We are asking all Maryland residents to commit to being climate voters this election cycle by signing up in support of the Climate Justice platform.
As you know, climate change continues to intensify, challenging our economy and posing new threats to social justice. The platform we are presenting was developed with input from Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) and our advocacy arm CCAN Action Fund, CASA, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 26, and the NAACP Maryland State Conference.
Underscoring the need for action, UN scientists recently released a new 3,675-page report on global warming. The core message is this: "Delay means death."
In less than a month, over 8 gubernatorial candidates and 60 justice groups, labor leaders, environmental organizations, and businesses have signed in support of the Platform’s shared vision of climate justice -- and we are just getting started! This platform includes a vision of Maryland with 100% clean electricity by 2035, without incentives for burning trash. It also includes a call for investments in underserved communities and increased access to public transit and clean transportation. Likewise, it includes a vision for strong labor provisions applied to large clean-energy projects.
We will soon be announcing who we are endorsing and where the candidates stand on these issues. We need representatives with the courage to lead on these important climate and justice issues. Sign on to the Maryland Climate Justice Platform and help us push Maryland officials for equitable and just climate action!
Sign the petition today.
2022 Maryland Climate Justice Platform Resolution
WHEREAS, Increasing Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 100% renewable electricity would support new high-paying Maryland jobs, and increase GDP.
WHEREAS, Maryland is a coastal state with 3,000 miles of tidal shoreline, making us one of the most vulnerable states in America to sea-level rise.
WHEREAS, Race is the #1 indicator of placement of toxic facilities. Minority and low-income communities are overburdened by air and water pollution from energy generation and are under-served by the benefits of climate action. Poor air quality leads to over 100,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, but BIPOC communities are 79% more likely to live near air pollution sources. Due to continuous exposure to toxic emissions, these communities are at greater risk of cancer, neurological issues, heart and respiratory illness, with black children being 500% more likely to die of asthma. In Baltimore City, home of BRESCO, the rate of asthma emergency rate visits is 2.5 times higher than the Maryland average.
WHEREAS, Trash incineration emits pollution that creates a public health crisis. Incineration facilities such as Baltimore City’s BRESCO plant emit high levels of health-hazardous air pollution, harm water, and soil quality, contribute to respiratory, cardiovascular, and other ailments, and add to climate disruption.
WHEREAS, Maryland should enact policies that incentivize new and clean sources of renewable energy that reduce greenhouse gasses and other hazardous air and water pollution while preventing harm and committing equitable investment in environmental justice (EJ) communities.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the undersigned individuals support:
-- Setting a binding goal in 2023 of 100% carbon-pollution-free electricity in Maryland by 2035, with an interim goal of 80% by 2030 and removing incentives for the incineration of trash in Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard.
-- Ensuring that at least 40% of all clean energy investments and benefits accrue to historically disadvantaged communities in Maryland, per the policy embraced by the US Department of Energy. We must address climate change while repairing harm suffered by overburdened and under-served black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and other working-class communities.
-- Increasing access to public transit and green transportation alternatives, particularly in overburdened, under-served communities. Providing support for the transition of low-income neighborhoods to renewable energy sources while ensuring economic benefits are realized by residents.
– Including prevailing wages and project labor agreements for the construction of utility-scale clean energy projects (5 megawatts or larger). A key component of climate change equity must ensure that jobs in the clean energy economy are good jobs with family-supporting wages, health care, retirement security, and collective bargaining rights, including registered union apprenticeship opportunities.
