By MPIRG Environmental Task Force

We in the MPIRG Environment Task Force have found it distressing to hear of a number of Congressional lawmakers’ recent attempts to undermine the Clean Air Act and the regulatory authority of the Environmental Protection Agency. As Macalester College students, we need to be active and engaged in the defense and strengthening of this act. Failing to do so will adversely impact the health of our local communities and the natural environment at large. We believe that clean air is a fundamental precursor to a functional society and a prosperous economy. The harms caused by industrial toxins towards human health and the natural environment are well-known. This is also part of a broader national conversation on our energy future and the fight against global climate change. The country needs to adopt measures that will shift us towards a path of environmental sustainability as we cannot continue to remain addicted to dirty fossil fuels. Unfortunately, big oil interests continuously threaten to undermine this progress, as evidenced by the recent near approval of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. Therefore, young leaders must speak up and lobby for robust, science-based and progressive regulations, policies and legislation to protect human and environmental well being for current and future generations. We encourage you to learn more about these issues by visiting relevant websites such as 350.org, tarsandsaction.org or epa.gov/air/caa/, as well as by coming to our meetings (Tuesdays at 10 p.m. in the Campus Center, room 215). MPIRG are specifically pressuring Amy Klobuchar to take a strong stance on environmental issues, especially the Clean Air Act. If you’re passionate about the issue, please email cgetaz@mac or rcohen@mac for information about writing personal letters. Keep an eye out (on Facebook, of course) for information on the FACEBOOK DAY OF ACTION next Wednesday!