South Floridians Push for Climate Action at Town Hall Meeting
Sierra Club and its allies pressed for climate action at a Coastal Communities Congressional Town Hall meeting in Fort Lauderdale yesterday. Approximately 150 people attended the event moderated by South Florida public radio station WLRN-FM. Dozens of attendees wore t-shirts saying, "Protect our communities. Climate Action Now."
Attendees wear T-shirts saying Climate Action Now.
Before the event, Sierra Club and the Southern Energy Network collected comment cards supporting the Environmental Protection Agency's carbon rule on power plants part of the Obama Administration's Climate Action Plan.
South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard.
Much of the conversation focused on the need to educate the local community about climate change and how to generate action. Here are some quotes by the panelists:
"This is not belief, this is science." – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe
"We have to take these moments and turn them into a movement." – Congressman Elijah Cummings, Maryland.
"I'm passionate about this issue and so is my district." – Congressman Patrick Murphy, Martin County, Florida
"The doom and gloom scenarios should be tempered by the fact that we still have time." – Kristin Jacobs, Mayor of Broward County, Florida
"Let's face it, we have to reduce the amount of fossil fuels we use. Let's talk about the elephant in the room." – Congresswoman Lois Frankel, Broward County, Florida
Panelists pictured from left to right: EPA Deputy Secretary Bob Perciasepe, FL State Representative Bobby Powell, Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs, Congresswoman Lois Frankel, Congressman Patrick Murphy and Congressman Elijah Cummings.
The event was part of the 5th Annual Southeast Florida Regional Climate Leadership Summit, a two-day regional government conference sponsored by more than a dozen private and public organizations including the World Resources Institute and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Take action on climate and reducing carbon. Send your comments to the EPA today.
—Jon Ullman, South Florida/Everglades Senior Representative