“Climate change and air pollution threaten the health of people and our planet earth. That is why we are standing with our sisters and brothers in the climate justice movement in Paris. Already the effects of climate change have negatively impacted our ecosystems, economies and communities. As healthcare workers we have experienced these negative effects first hand – from increased respiratory and environmental diseases among our patients and families to death and destruction wrought by superstorms such as Sandy.
“As usual, working people, communities of color, children and seniors are disproportionately affected by climate change as well as the historic patterns of environmental inequality. But no one is exempt from the despoiling of our environment. Unprecedented droughts, food shortages, wildfires, mass extinctions and storms are destabilizing entire regions of the globe, undermining peace and making all of us less safe.
“Time is running out if we are to avert even more damaging effects of the crisis. That is why our leaders cannot afford to let the opportunity provided by the climate negotiations in Paris slip away. If we are to avert global catastrophe, world leaders must put forward a serious, binding plan for a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. A total shift to clean power is technologically achievable, it is just a matter of political will.
“Leaders must take decisive steps to ensure that the rise in global temperature from preindustrial levels does not exceed the tipping point of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit. We call on leaders to provide massive investment in renewable energy research, development and construction and the creation of millions of green jobs. Green jobs and accessible training programs will help to drive the economy and lift up working families. Further, the leaders of the developed nations, which are most responsible for carbon emissions, must help developing nations to transition to a renewable-energy economy.
“The 400,000 healthcare workers of 1199SEIU will continue to work with our allies in the climate movement to move leaders toward ensuring a healthy, secure and peaceful planet.”
–Maria Castaneda, Secretary Treasurer of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare union in the United States.
“As usual, working people, communities of color, children and seniors are disproportionately affected by climate change as well as the historic patterns of environmental inequality. But no one is exempt from the despoiling of our environment. Unprecedented droughts, food shortages, wildfires, mass extinctions and storms are destabilizing entire regions of the globe, undermining peace and making all of us less safe.
“Time is running out if we are to avert even more damaging effects of the crisis. That is why our leaders cannot afford to let the opportunity provided by the climate negotiations in Paris slip away. If we are to avert global catastrophe, world leaders must put forward a serious, binding plan for a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. A total shift to clean power is technologically achievable, it is just a matter of political will.
“Leaders must take decisive steps to ensure that the rise in global temperature from preindustrial levels does not exceed the tipping point of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit. We call on leaders to provide massive investment in renewable energy research, development and construction and the creation of millions of green jobs. Green jobs and accessible training programs will help to drive the economy and lift up working families. Further, the leaders of the developed nations, which are most responsible for carbon emissions, must help developing nations to transition to a renewable-energy economy.
“The 400,000 healthcare workers of 1199SEIU will continue to work with our allies in the climate movement to move leaders toward ensuring a healthy, secure and peaceful planet.”
–Maria Castaneda, Secretary Treasurer of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare union in the United States.
