Environment America unveils new initiatives during Climate Week

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Extreme weather across the U.S. underscores the need to ratchet up climate action

Environment America

New York — One of the largest climate summits of the year, Climate Week NYC, kicks off this week, as fires continue to burn across the American West, hurricanes brew in the Atlantic and heat records are broken across the country. Environment America and its state affiliates are using this event and the urgency brought on by the extreme weather to both amplify education and call for specific actions in support of climate solutions.

“The need to act immediately on climate has never been more clear,” said Andrea McGimsey, Environment America’s Global Warming Solutions Campaign director. “This climate week, we’re doubling down on our pledge to do all we can to slow the warming of the planet that is making extreme weather events more frequent and more dangerous across the country. And we’re asking Americans to join us.”

Throughout the week, Environment America and its state affiliates will be pressing state and federal leaders to make global warming a priority and adopt bold solutions. In addition, the organization will be providing the public with opportunities to take action as well as hosting a webinar and releasing resources designed to educate the public and decision-makers on climate solutions. 

  • This week, Environment America is expanding its “Climate Defenders” program to engage the public in climate activism and is asking people to pledge to take ten climate actions over the next ten weeks. 

  • On Tuesday, Sept. 22, Environment America is hosting a web panel on how wildfires, hurricanes and other extreme weather events underscore the urgent need for climate action and a shift to renewable energy. 

  • In California, Environment America and Environment California are calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to accelerate the implementation of critical climate policies, including the transition to 100 percent renewable energy and the adoption of electric vehicles.

  • In states affected by the fires and hurricanes, Environment America and its state affiliates will be providing resource guides to help people impacted protect themselves and their families.

  • Each day throughout the week, on its social media accounts, Environment America will provide actions that the public can take to help move climate solutions forward.

“It feels like the climate apocalypse is upon us,” McGimsey said. “But if we act now and take bold steps, we can still avoid the worst of it. There’s just no more time to wait.”