To: Interested Parties From: Jennessa Agnew, National Field Director, LCV Date: October 5, 2021 Re: Michiganders from across the state share why they want climate action NOW
We are in the midst of one of the biggest pushes for climate action in our nation’s history as members of Congress work to finalize the Build Back Better Act. President Biden, House Speaker Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Schumer have made it clear that the bipartisan infrastructure framework must move in tandem with the Build Back Better Act with a new deadline of October 31st. From the ‘code red’ IPCC report, to devastating climate change-fueled hurricanes and tropical storms, scorching heat waves, drought, wildfires, and other extreme weather events that have impacted nearly 1 in 3 people in America just this summer, voters have had enough and it has never been more urgent for Congress to act on climate. Since launching in late June, LCV’s field program has been on the ground in Michigan and across the country, knocking on over 260,000 doors, and nearly 13,000 households and 9,000 businesses are displaying “Climate Action Now” signs in their neighborhoods.
Michiganders from Plymouth to Lansing to Holland have shared their concerns about extreme weather, climate injustice, and the overall health of the planet and they are stepping up by calling their representatives and demanding climate action now. And as President Biden heads to the Great Lakes State to talk about the importance of passing the Build Back Better Act with all of the current climate provisions intact, the people of Michigan are on his side and agree with the need for bold climate action.
Lansing, MI: Nicole was forced to leave her home in Flint, Michigan because of the water crisis. Now, with the state of the climate and the amount of chemicals going into our water, she fears others will share this same fate.
Warren, MI: Alma recently visited both Oregon and her former home in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and noticed the drastic impacts of the climate crisis in each region. Now, she uses her power as a voter to choose candidates who will take immediate action on the climate crisis.
Royal Oak, MI: Nora, a pro-union voter, is excited that President Biden is talking about climate action and infrastructure investment as opportunities for major job creation. She’s hopeful Congress will take the opportunity to act on climate and infrastructure and spur the creation of good union jobs in Southeast Michigan.
East Lansing, MI: At East Lansing Farmers Market, Haywa, who was there with her daughter, is calling on Congress to act on climate now because she believes that creating clean energy jobs will be beneficial to Michigan, especially low income areas and communities of color.
Troy, MI: Doury is concerned about air pollution as she has noticed it becoming a bigger issue lately among her neighbors and on the news. She is concerned about the quality of the air families are breathing and that is a big reason she is supportive of investing in bold climate action. Doury hopes her representatives in Congress will continue to support clean air for communities in Troy.
Plymouth, MI: Kathleen is frustrated that her children and her children’s children will most likely have to inherit a climate crisis even though we’ve known about climate change for over a generation now. Kathleen has been conscious of the need to slow the effects of climate change since she first voted when she was 18, and she hopes now her representatives in Congress will take action in a truly transformative way to address the climate crisis while also addressing our infrastructure needs.
Troy, MI: Small business owner, Gabriel, strongly supports climate action and understands the importance of investing in clean energy infrastructure to slow climate change and address environmental justice.
Warren, MI: Ken is concerned about the need to improve drinking water and ensuring all communities in Southeast Michigan have equal access to clean, safe, affordable water. He used to live in Flint, giving him a personal understanding of the importance of this issue. He hopes Congress takes action on environmental issues now.
Lansing MI: Linda has major environmental concerns, including concerns about the amount of pollutants that are continually added to the atmosphere, especially from big oil industries. She is following the results of the infrastructure package very closely, and is so happy to see that the House is taking steps to move it forward.
Rochester Hills, MI: Jane and Dennis are both very passionate about environmentalism, from slowing climate change, to cutting air pollution, to environmental justice, and protecting drinking water. They are concerned about the recent storms and recognize that the flooding is only going to get worse if Congress doesn’t take action on climate issues and make meaningful infrastructure changes.
Michigan LCV is launching a new video series called Build Back Better For Us featuring real people across the state who share how the climate crisis is impacting their lives. Watch Jasmin, Tom, Alexa, Adonis and others share their stories below, and check out the Michigan LCV storytelling page for more.
Detroit, MI: Jasmin is someone who has been personally affected by the devastating floods in the Detroit area. She woke up to see her neighborhood submerged in water and is still dealing with the effects of the damage to this day. She demands Congress acts now to reduce the risks of extreme weather by taking bold climate action stating, “officials need to take action in funding for climate change and infrastructure because our vulnerable communities are being impacted the most.”
Elk Rapids, MI: Tom, a retired attorney and longtime conservationist, is concerned about the ability of Michigan’s trout population to survive and thrive with the warming temperatures of water. Trout have been migrating to cooler temperatures, leaving whole areas without fish and disrupting the ecosystem. Tom knows action must be taken to address global warming stating, “we really need to get going on not only fighting climate change but figuring out how to deal with it because it’s already here.”
Lansing, MI: Alexa is dedicated to reducing single use containers and has a small business dedicated to this cause. By starting this business, she is trying to set an example and help others reduce their impact on the planet so that future generations have a healthy and habitable planet.
Lansing, MI: Climate activists and concerned residents gathered outside Rep. Elissa Slotkin’s office to call for the entire Michigan delegation to support the Build Back Better Act in its entirety. They know that this bill contains essential investments to address climate change and environmental justice and they are making their voices heard.
Detroit, MI: Adonis has lived in Detroit since he was eight years old and understands first hand the disproportionate effect climate change has on immigrant, black, and brown communities. From extreme weather events to pollution, these communities need Congress to take action to address this environmental injustice. In regards to the public health issue that economic injustice poses, Adonis states, “some communities have been the most polluted for decades, we suffer the most from asthma, from diabetes, from hypertension, both Black communities as well as immigrant communities.”