“The vice president [former Vice President Joe Biden] has committed to spending 40% of the climate investments toward disadvantaged communities,” Katie Thomas, Esq, policy advisor for energy and environment for Senator Bernie Sanders, says, kicking off this episode. “That right there shows us the power of people.”
Thomas joins Our Future Now co-hosts Natalie Mebane and Jonah Gottlieb to discuss the importance of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and how Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden plans to approach NEPA and climate change if elected.
“It’s a preventative piece of legislation,” Gottlieb explains. “What it does with the environmental impact statements is it allows communities and activists to put a stop to projects that are going to be damaging to their communities before they’re completed.”
The NEPA rollbacks by the Trump administration and their detrimental impact on the environment come into focus. Biden’s updated climate plan is discussed — an economic recovery plan/climate solution that includes the effects of the coronavirus. Biden’s approach is to make green energy, including green energy jobs, a top priority.
Mebane talks about how certain changes can improve the quality of life for families. Thomas points to rollbacks like car standards and mercury standards and their impact on pulmonary health, particularly critical during the COVID pandemic.
A strong message from Thomas, “Don’t be afraid to be a part of this [climate] movement, no matter how small, because we need you.”
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The Our Future Now Collaboration
Our Future Now, a National Children’s Campaign Podcast is co-hosted by Jonah Gottlieb and Natalie Mebane. Gottlieb and Mebane are also co-founders of NCC. Gottlieb, a high school senior from Petaluma, California, is also the captain of One Planet Living and the co-founder and president of Global Awareness. Mebane is the Associate Director of US Policy for 350, an international movement looking to end the use of fossil fuels while promoting renewable energy.
Our Future Now is a collaboration between Parentology, the National Children’s Campaign and Goal 17 Media.
The National Children’s Campaign (NCC) is a national nonprofit organization that amplifies the voices of America’s 74 million children and youth, making sure our nation’s political leaders prioritize issues –health, education, climate and environment, child welfare, gun violence, child immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and youth civic engagement — that matter to those who are too young to vote. You can read more about today’s episode on the NCC blog here.
Goal 17 Media is a media network producing podcasts, videos and documentaries that inspire individuals and contribute to the common good.
Biden Environmental Policy: Sources
National Environmental Policy EPA page
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