Climate Action Plan Anniversary: Green For All Praises Nationwide Climate Efforts
Actions help fortify communities most vulnerable to climate change disasters

 WASHINGTON – One year ago today, President Obama unveiled a plan for combatting climate change. Since then, the country took many steps to protect communities from the health, economic and environmental impacts of climate change.

Green For All applauds all the actions our federal, state and community leaders are taking to fortify our families from the devastating affects of climate change. However, we continue to call for more measures to help those most vulnerable to climate change disasters – communities of color and low-income Americans.

Statement of Green For All Executive Director Nikki Silvestri

Last year, President Obama announced his Climate Action Plan and by doing so, took a major step toward fulfilling our obligation to leave our children and grandkids a healthy planet. Since then, we’ve seen the EPA propose carbon pollution standards for existing power plants. The President created a task force to prepare our communities for the climate disasters ahead. Last weekend, The United States Conference of Mayors hosted a meeting where we heard from environmental leaders like EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz, and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson highlight actions they are taking around climate change mitigation. And, just yesterday, a new “Risky Business” report lifted-up the real economic risk climate change poses to the U.S.

As we look back on all the work we are doing to both combat climate change and raise awareness of its devastating impacts, we must think of the communities hit first and worst – communities of color and low-income Americans.

Just look at the many African Americans who still struggle with the generational impacts of slavery, such as poverty, lack of affordable housing and viable employment. They are the ones who end up living in the homes closest to our carbon-fired power plants. They live in the houses near the shores that don’t have sufficient levies. They are also the ones to suffer from extreme heat in the summer months because they live in urban homes surrounded by dense areas of concrete and asphalt without trees or shade.

Instead of simply preparing these communities for the climate disasters ahead, we need to strengthen them economically and environmentally so they can thrive. We urge all of our elected officials, community leaders and activists to keep these communities at the center of our climate agenda moving forward.

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CONTACT: Alyssa Ritterstein
[email protected]
202-828-0940
732-513-2192

Green Community Leaders Inspire Climate Action at “Keep It Fresh” Awards Ceremony & Panel
Green For All and Going Green Living Bling Event Speaks to Colorado’s Communities of Color

DENVER — Today, Green For All and Going Green Living Bling’s hosted the “Keep It Fresh” Awards Ceremony and Panel at the Denver Juneteenth Music Festival. The event honored activists working to create a healthier, greener world for communities of color and elevated one of the biggest issues facing these communities today — climate change.

Presenters and awardees – Green For All Executive Director Nikki Silvestri, Grammy-nominated duo Les Nubians, 2014 Grammy Music Educator Award Nominee Dj Cavem Moetavation, Ron Finley, Arasia Alkemia Earth, Mike Wird, Earth Guardians, Beverly Grant, and The Growhaus – highlighted the very real health and financial impacts climate change brings these communities, how they are actively building a green economy, and what Colorado can do to make an impact.

“Climate change hits communities of color first and worst. In Colorado, it’s no different,” Silvestri said. “We held this event because we wanted to raise awareness of that very fact, what it means for our communities, how people are already taking action, and what we can do to combat climate change today. As I travel around the country drawing attention to this issue, it is encouraging to see so many communities of color positively respond and engage in these events.”

During the event, national and local community leaders received awards in the following categories – Eco HipHop, Clean Air Act, Green The Block, The Freshest, Mind and Body, Front Line Activation, and Lifetime Achievement Denver. Special Thanks awards were given to Grammy-nominated duo Les Nubians and Grammy-nominated Dj Cavem Moetavation.

“As daunting as climate change is, we can make a difference,” Ietef Vita aka Dj Cavem Moetavation said. “This award ceremony proved that. We’ve got folks working to clean our air, provide good food that nourish us, and motivate people to participate in the green movement through music. But, we’ve got to do even more. That’s why I’m asking people to support the Environmental Protection Agency in its efforts to cut emissions and get involved in local climate events.”

The ceremony and panel were part of the first-ever Denver Juneteenth “Keep it Fresh” Zone, where attendees participated in green activities like live DJs, hip hop performances, Yoga, a farmers market, environmental demonstrations, composting and recycling workshops, and raw food vegan culinary demonstrations.

Mayor Michael B. Hancock also proclaimed June 14 “Keep It Fresh” Day via video.

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Obama Administration Proposed Limits on Climate Pollution from Existing Coal Plants
Carbon Safeguards a Win for Communities of Color, Low-income Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy advanced President Obama’s Climate Action Plan and announced proposed safeguards that would limit climate pollution from America’s existing power plants. Coal-fired power plants are the leading single source of climate-disrupting greenhouse gas emissions in America. But until now, there has been no limit on how much carbon pollution America’s outdated power plants can pump into the air.

Statement of Green For All Executive Director Nikki Silvestri

By proposing limits on carbon pollution from America’s coal plants through President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, the president and EPA Administrator McCarthy have shown that they are absolutely serious about tackling climate change. These safeguards would represent a huge victory in the fight against global warming. Carbon limits would also be welcome news for poor Americans and communities of color, who are disproportionately exposed to power plant pollution, and who are most vulnerable to the storms, disasters, and severe weather that climate change brings. We applaud the president and the EPA for acting boldly to protect America’s families and neighborhoods.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the “My Brother’s Keeper” Task Force released a report detailing their initial recommendations to President Obama on how to help young men of color overcome barriers to opportunity and achievement. The President also called on Americans to become long-term mentors at WH.gov/mybrotherskeeper.

In response to the report and call to action, Green for All Executive Director Nikki Silvestri issued the following statement:

Statement by GFA Executive Director Nikki Silvestri

Young men of color are being left behind. Today, the President’s “My Brother’s Keeper” Task Force took a much-needed step towards creating opportunities and increasing the livelihood of these men. Their report listed clear recommendations on how we can further lift barriers to success, enabling communities of color to leap forward.

As a nation, we talk about liberty and justice for all. The President and partners from all sectors of society are taking action. I’m asking that you do too. Join me in part of my lifelong work.

As a child, my parents took in foster boys. My brothers were black and brown and I know that by loving them, I might have saved their lives in many moments. As an African American woman, I know that “My Brother’s Keeper” is so much more than a good idea – it’s a vehicle to bring hope to young men that need to know we support them, and consider them our family. Listen to the President’s call and become a long-term mentor for these young men of color.

At Green for All, we support “My Brother’s Keeper.” The initiative opens doors and improves life chances for young men of color. For us, improving life chances also includes combatting climate change and pollution, which are additional barriers that too many of our young boys of color and their communities face, and investing in a green economy that creates jobs that lift people out of poverty.

The Task Force’s report brings us closer to enabling young men of color from communities on the frontlines of pollution and poverty to rebuild their neighborhoods into cleaner, healthier communities for generations to come.

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.— Today, environmental champions brought a new perspective to the climate conversation during Green For All (GFA) and Sierra Club Environmental Justice campaign’s Climate Justice Now: Community Forum.

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), GFA’s Executive Director Nikki Silvestri, NAACP’s Environmental and Climate Justice Program Director Jacqui Patterson, Movement Center for Deep Democracy Founder Sam Grant, and Former Indigenous Environmental Network Organizer Marty Cobenais highlighted how combatting climate change is a pathway to achieving healthy and safe communities AND economic prosperity for Minnesota’s communities of color.

The forum discussed how communities of color are impacted by climate change. Latinos and African Americans disproportionately live near high-polluting power plants like coal plants – one of the biggest sources of carbon pollution in America. African-American kids have a much higher rate of asthma: 1 in 6, compared with 1 in 10 nationwide. Indigenous communities live close to the land and feel the cost of climate change early. In Minnesota, the state experienced severe heat waves like one in July 2011 that created a heat index of nearly 119°F, but communities of color were more vulnerable to heat-related deaths.

“Minnesotans are already feeling the impact of climate change. A study called the National Climate Assessment confirmed it last week,” Silvestri said. “But, it’s especially hard on communities of color because climate change hits them first and worst. That’s why Green For All is working with these communities on strategies that not only prepare them for the climate disaster ahead, but incorporate economic security so they can thrive.”

“It’s time to get real about tackling climate change. We can all take action for climate justice,” Karen Monahan, Sierra Club Environmental Justice Organizing Rep., said. “This event highlights opportunities within the community for people to get involved. Nationally, we can support the Environmental Protection Agency in its efforts to cut emissions from future and existing power plants and invest in clean energy jobs that can help our disadvantaged communities.”

The forum also featured individuals acting on climate. Louis Alemayehu, a spoken word artist, and the Minneapolis High School for Recording Arts Green Team performed.

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Statement of Green For All Executive Director Nikki Silvestri

The National Climate Assessment finds what we know to be true. Climate change is real and affects neighborhoods all across the United States – especially those hit first and worst, communities of color and low-income Americans.

We are already paying more for heat and air conditioning to stay comfortable during record high or low temperatures. Severe droughts and floods in America’s agricultural areas strain food production. People are losing loved ones and homes due to extreme weather.

We can’t disregard the environment any longer.

We need to expand jobs in clean energy and make sure disadvantaged communities have a shot at them. We need to encourage people to come together to plant gardens and promote sustainable lifestyles. We also need to prepare ourselves to leap forward into a healthier future after a hurricane, blizzard, or flood — not just bounce back to where we were before.

The good news is that our leaders are already acting on climate change. We are excited by the potential impacts of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan and support the Administration’s efforts to cut emissions from future and existing power plants. We are eager to see the National Climate Assessment move this work forward, so we can build cleaner, stronger communities.

The post National Climate Assessment Finds What We Know to Be True – Climate Change is Real appeared first on Green For All.

Contacts: Alyssa Ritterstein
[email protected]
202-828-0940

Green For All Highlights Resiliency Strategies at Earth Day Event

WASHINGTON, D.C.— This Earth Day, Green For All’s new Executive Director Nikki Silvestri is revealing strategies that will help communities of color thrive in the face of climate change, strengthening their ability to leap forward economically and environmentally.

At an Act on Climate Campus Tour Stop in Washington, DC., Silvestri joined Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley, Grammy-nominated Recording Artist Raheem Devaughn and other notable entertainers and experts in calling for action.

“Climate change hits communities of color first and worst,” Silvestri said. “African Americans are at a greater risk for displacement from flooding and sea level rise. They are more vulnerable to heat-related deaths, climbing food costs, crime and illness from climate change. And, Latinos disproportionately live near high-polluting power plants. Our climate change strategies must address this gap.”

Silvestri pushed for much-needed investments in infrastructure like stormwater and emergency response systems that will mitigate damage from coming disasters. She also advocated for a combination of measures focused on economic security, strong infrastructure and social connections.

“While infrastructure takes time to fund and build, we can learn from the way communities use social connections and inventiveness to design solutions that build the economy, protect the environment and provide avenues for disaster relief in times of need – all of which lead to lower bills and better health,” Silvestri added.

Silvestri noted that truly resilient communities can weather storms, economic downturn and disasters when they recognize the importance of social ties and ensure activities are in place to foster them. When they invest in established, respected organizations that are connected with local residents they become more self-sufficient.

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