Members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign gathered on Sunday, August 22, to urge Senator Scott Bennett to help pass a true climate bill in Illinois. We need him to support a bill that ends our reliance on fossil fuels; provides a just transition to a clean, renewable energy future; and closes the Prairie State coal plant in southwestern Illinois. Prairie State is the largest emitter of carbon pollution in Illinois, and the 7th largest in the country! It also is responsible for 76 premature deaths every year. That’s more than one premature death EVERY WEEK. It’s time to do what’s right for people and our planet.
URGENCY
The IPCC just issued a CODE RED for humanity on climate. We need to act NOW to preserve our planet. While we’ve been hearing this for some time, “NOW” means we have to immediately slash our emissions to keep global temperatures below the 1.5 degree C threshold identified by scientists as essential to prevent runaway climate. Our planet now is consistently 1 degree C warmer than pre-industrial levels, and it will take some extremely aggressive action to keep us below 1.5 degrees C. Higher emissions associated with “business as usual” scenario are expected to trigger feedback loops that will change this planet in ways that could make it uninhabitable (at least as we know it).
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
Senator Bennett has been asked to provide a statement that supports closing this coal plant, but has not yet done so. That’s why it is important that he hear from you. Ask him to be a climate champ, and support a bill that closes Prairie State:
- Share this video and post it on Facebook or Twitter. See the #FossilFreeIL Hashtag, and tag Senator Bennett on Twitter using @ScottBennett52.
- Send Senator Bennett another letter. You can send him a letter directly from this webpage, which includes talking points. Modify the base letter if you wish, or send as is.
A CLIMATE AND ENERGY BILL WITH EQUITY
The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition has been negotiating a bill that has a strong equity component, and addresses many of the systemic racial barriers that keep Black and Brown workers and contractors out of the clean energy economy. These parts of the bill were developed along with our Black and Brown partners who are part of the coalition. They took the lead
But none of this will happen unless a climate and energy bill is voted on by the House and Senate. Please add your voice to those of others working around the clock to make this happen. A vote is expected to take place August 30th or 31st.
If anyone has questions, please contact Pam at prichart@ecojusticecollaborative.org.