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Congressman Donald McEachin Introduces 100 Percent Clean Legislation

NNPA NEWSWIRE —The legislation sets a nationwide goal of achieving a 100 percent clean energy economy by 2050, defined as net-zero climate pollution across all sectors of the United States’ economy.

Published

5 years ago

November 30, 2019

Oakland Post

Democratic Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04)

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Democratic Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) has introduced the 100 percent Clean Economy Act of 2019.

The legislation sets a nationwide goal of achieving a 100 percent clean energy economy by 2050, defined as net-zero climate pollution across all sectors of the United States’ economy.

The bill contains more than 150 original co-sponsors, according to a news release.

The National Medical Association and Green the Church were among the many national public health, environmental, conservation, and clean energy advocacy groups to release statements supporting the bill.

“The need to act on climate has never been clearer: 2019 is on pace to be one of the hottest years ever recorded and every week brings another community damaged by extreme weather events fueled by climate change,” McEachin stated in the news release.

“That is why we must boldly transition to a 100 percent clean economy. The 100 percent Clean Economy Act of 2019 will protect public health and our environment; create high-quality green jobs that will strengthen our economy; and mitigate the impacts of climate change for all communities and all generations,” he stated.

“Our climate crisis demands immediate action, and this bill will ensure that our children and our children’s children will have healthier lives and a stronger, more sustainable economy.”

Statistics provided by McEachin’s office show that more than 1 million African Americans live within a half-mile of oil and natural gas facilities, and processing and storage spaces.

Research also shows that 7 in 10 African Americans live in counties with refineries, and communities of color disproportionately are exposed to toxic air pollution from the fossil fuel industry.

African American children, who already suffer significantly more from asthma and deaths from asthma than their white peers, are particularly vulnerable from increased risks due to exposure to emissions from oil and gas facilities.

The National Medical Association (NMA), the largest and oldest national organization representing the interests of more than 50,000 African American physicians and their patients in the United States, also released a statement in support of McEachin’s measure.

As the leading force for parity and justice in medicine and the elimination of disparities in health, NMA officials said actions are needed to sustain attention and address the problems associated with climate change.

“Climate change is a public health issue that needs sustained attention and actions to address increasing respiratory diseases and other illnesses due to pollution and severe weather. A transition to a 100-percent clean energy economy by 2050 across all sectors will help mitigate the impacts of climate change,” NMA officials said in the statement.

“We ask all members to step up now and support such bold actions, which will spur clean energy development, cut the carbon pollution that contributes to climate change, protect our health, and create more clean energy jobs.”

To ensure the United States gets started soon, the 100 percent Clean Economy Act of 2019 directs federal agencies to use all existing authorities to put America on a path toward meeting the achievable 100 percent clean economy goal while remaining technology-neutral.

The legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to evaluate agency plans, make recommendations to strengthen them as needed and report each year on progress toward a 100 percent clean economy.

The bill also creates an advisory committee composed of a broad range of stakeholders to provide recommendations on one or more interim goals.

The 100 percent Clean Economy Act of 2019 lays out principles for federal agency action, including, but not limited to:

improving public health, resilience, and environmental outcomes, especially for low-income and rural communities, communities of color, tribal and indigenous communities, deindustrialized communities, and other populations disproportionately impacted by climate change;
enhancing quality job creation and ensuring fairness and equity for workers and communities affected by the transition to a 100 percent clean economy;
providing benefits for consumers, small businesses, and rural communities; and
preparing communities for the impacts and risks of climate change.

“Green the Church faith communities are turning our collective efforts toward protecting the health and well-being of all Americans, especially those who are disproportionately hurt hardest by climate change, “stated the Rev. Ambrose Carroll, founder of the national organization working with Black faith communities.

Green the Church works to empower church leadership and laypeople to develop practical solutions to economic and environmental issues in the Black community.

“We call on Congress and the Administration to turn their united attention toward setting a nationwide goal of achieving a 100 percent clean energy economy by 2050,” Carroll stated.

“Failure to act now is a failure to protect our health, our environment, and our communities against the climate crisis.”

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org