We all know that Detroit is faced with serious challenges–high rates of poverty, unemployment, and health problems attributable to environmental conditions. We’re working hard to turn things around–with and for everyone, including the business community.
As we put the pieces back together, we need to take steps to mitigate the effects of climate change in ways that will create good jobs, improve our health, and bring economic prosperity to Detroit. Recently I had an essay published on the General Motors “Green Blog.”
DWEJ’s Policy Director, Kimberly Hill Knott, just returned home from Paris. During her days at COP21, she heard over and over again, from all corners of the globe, that:
•climate change is impacting everyone everywhere
•if we just reduce carbon pollution, we will improve our air, and so much more
What does that mean? Bottom line: a healthier planet, a healthier Detroit, and a healthier you and me. No doubt about it. It’s all linked.
We know that we don’t need to:
•accept flooding like we experienced in August of 2014
•leave our most vulnerable residents unable to deal with debilitating heat waves and crippling deep freezes
•allow industrial facilities to emit more toxic chemicals–what Michigan is proposing. Right now we are one of 9 states that regulate all toxic chemicals emitted from industrial facilities. We need to stay that way. (For more info, read a recent op-ed I wrote with Chris Kolb, President, Michigan Environmental Council.)
One of the workgroups at the 2015 DCAC Public Health Forum
How will we make this a reality? Detroit is coming back, and DWEJ is committed to making that comeback one that benefits the diversity of voices we are. For the last 4 years Detroit Climate Action Collaborative’s members (all volunteers, from academia, government, nonprofit, community and business sectors) have been working to answer that question and are refining recommendations that will help Detroit (its residents and its businesses) attain the economic and physical health that we all deserve!
Climate change impacts everyone who lives in, works in, loves this city. We all need to get involved–every one of us, and especially Mayor Duggan.
Source: DWEJ