WASHINGTON, DC | May 2, 2019
In response to the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold P. Wimmer issued the following statement:
“Today’s vote is good news for all who are fighting to protect public health from climate change. H.R. 9 is an important first step toward comprehensive climate action to protect the health of all Americans.
“The health impacts of climate change are no longer hypothetical. They are here. Our 2019 ‘State of the Air’ report released last week shows that after two decades of improvement in air quality under the Clean Air Act, climate change is now beginning to undo our nation’s progress. Warmer temperatures are driving ozone pollution formation and more frequent and intense wildfires, which produce harmful smoke that can travel for hundreds of miles. We are seeing in real time that climate change is degrading the quality of the air we breathe, and it is harming Americans’ health today.
“The health and medical community stands united and committed to climate action. Fifteen national public health and medical organizations sent a letter supporting the bill because it would help ensure that the U.S. meets the emissions reduction goals in the international Paris Agreement on climate change. Meeting these science-based targets is critical to protecting health, particularly for children, seniors, people with lung disease, and others who are at greater risk.
“To protect the lung health of Americans from the worst impacts of climate change, it is imperative that our nation’s leaders take immediate action. This means cleaning up carbon and methane from polluting sources, while reducing other dangerous pollutants at the same time and helping communities address the health impacts they are already experiencing. Today’s successful House vote on the Climate Action Now Act is a good start. The American Lung Association urges Congress to fully protect Americans’ health from climate change and safeguard the air we breathe.”>
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The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events.
For more information, contact:
Allison MacMunn
312-801-7628
[email protected]
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