Why should you tell your Senator to vote NO on Scott Pruitt for EPA?

Here are the 12 best reasons I’ve come up with. What are yours?

Trump Recap

When Donald Trump attained the presidency, my heart sank. As a woman, mother, and citizen, I feel personally violated by this man and all he represents.

But as someone who has worked to protect the environment for almost four decades, I also was discouraged because I knew what we’d be up against.

Trump has shown total disregard for Nature and the environment in the way he’s run his businesses.

He believes climate change is a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese.

And in his first environmental act as president-elect, he’s nominated the worst person possible to head the United States Environmental Protection Agency: Scott Pruitt, the attorney general for the state of Oklahoma.

Pruitt has a long record of suing the very agency he’d be charged with administering and endangering the very environment he’d be charged with protecting.

Rather than enforce the laws and regulations under his purview, he’d strive to dismantle them.

Rather than prioritize our health, the health of our kids, and the health of our planet, he’d protect the industries that jeopardize our health.

Though the president nominates a person to head the EPA, the Senate must confirm the nominee. Last week, as part of Moms Clean Air Force, I met with staff members for Senators who will vote on that confirmation either in the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee, or in the full Senate chamber (Here’s a picture of “The Force” at work! I’m in the back row, 3rd from the right, in case you can’t tell).

I gave them 12 reasons why they should vote NO on Scott Pruitt for EPA.

I offer this list to you, as well. Please use the links above or below this post to share it on your social media, with your friends and colleagues, and with your own Senator.

Pruitt has been nominated, but he should not be confirmed.

Why Tell Your Senator to Vote NO on Scott Pruitt for EPA?

Because you want to breathe clean air – Pruitt has sued the EPA to overturn standards to curb mercury and other toxic air pollutants that will prevent up to 11,000 premature deaths and 130,000 asthma attacks per year.  He has sued to void standards to reduce soot and smog pollution projected to prevent up to 15,000 non-fatal heart attacks, 34,000 premature deaths, and 400,000 asthma attacks every year. These lawsuits are bad news for all Americans, but especially the more than 24 million Americans with asthma.

Because you want to drink clean water – Pruitt has sued the EPA to overturn clean water safeguards for more than half the nation’s waterways, including streams that feed into the drinking water supplies of 117 million Americans.  He even sued to block limits on water pollution into the Chesapeake Bay, which has no known connection to Oklahoma.

Because you want to keep your kids safe and healthy – Pruitt refuses to accept research from the American Academy of Pediatrics that mercury, a neurotoxin emitted by power plants when they burn coal, is actually dangerous to developing children or that mercury poses a public health threat. (Here’s the report by the American Academy of Pediatrics and their Committee on Environmental Health if you want to read about mercury in the environment for yourself.)

Because you want to protect Nature and the environment – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency helps protect the natural world by enforcing laws and regulations intended to prevent pollution. A big source of pollution is oil spills, either at the site of an oil operation or from a leaky or ruptured oil pipeline. Since 2002, Pruitt has received more than $300,000 in contributions from the fossil fuel industry. How likely is it that Pruitt would bite the hand that feeds him and rein in the industry that’s been so generous to him? Answer: Not likely at all.

Because you want to protect our national parks – Says the National Parks Conservation Association, “the EPA should not be led by someone who has a history of active opposition to the mission, science and values of the agency it is tasked to uphold…Mr. Pruitt has a long record of …opposition to strong stewardship of these resources.”

Because you want to protect lakes and rivers -As Oklahoma attorney general, reports Moms Clean Air Force, Pruitt shut down his office’s environmental enforcement unit, which investigated issues like water contamination and illegal dumping. That action sent a signal to the most irresponsible elements of industry that there would be few legal consequences for violating clean air and water laws. In place of that enforcement unit, Mr. Pruitt built a multi-million office to crusade against EPA’s public health and environmental safeguards.

Because you want to protect birds, bees and other wildlife – Birds, bees and many other wild animals are threatened by overdevelopment and the excessive use of pesticides. It’s the EPA’s job to keep track of what pesticides are legal to use, and how they’re used. So here’s a chilling fact: Pruitt’s home state of Oklahoma led the nation in pesticide-related illnesses and deaths between 2000 and 2010. As Trump would tweet: Bad! Sad!!

Because you want to eat safe food – Like tuna fish? With or without mercury? If you’re pregnant or have small children, you need to limit how much you eat because mercury pollution from burning coal is falling into our oceans, lakes and rivers and getting concentrated in the bodies of the fish we eat. EPA’s safeguards are actually helping mercury to decline in the Atlantic Bluefin tuna. But Pruitt doesn’t believe mercury poses a threat and in all likelihood would unravel the protections that are making a difference.

Because you want to stop climate change – Pruitt said in his confirmation hearings that he does not believe climate change is a hoax. Nevertheless, as Oklahoma’s attorney general, he sued unsuccessfully to overturn the EPA’s finding that greenhouse gases are harmful.  He has also sued to block the EPA from setting any limits on carbon pollution from power plants, the nation’s largest polluter.

By the way:

 More than 97% of scientists agree that climate-warming trends over the past century are due to human activities.

According to a March 2016 Gallup poll, 64% of Americans are worried about climate change.

Also according to Gallup, 65% of Americans believe that human activity is to blame for increases in the Earth’s temperature over the last century.

Because you want to see the U.S. use more solar and wind energy and less coal and oil – The EPA is currently tasked with implementing the Clean Power Plan, which would accelerate America’s transition to renewable, non-polluting energy. Would that transition happen under Pruitt? Hardly. This review in The Guardian calls the attorney general a “staunch advocate for fossil fuels” and “a dream for oil and gas firms…a nightmare for the environment.”

Because you want to live in a country that values people and the planet – No need to explain that one!

Because you want to leave the world a better place for your kids and grandkids – What future do we want for our children, and our children’s children? I believe we want to leave the world a better, safer, healthier place than it is today. That requires not only vigilance to protect the gains we’ve made, but a commitment to do even more to reduce pollution, protect Nature, and link our health and prosperity to a healthy planet. Having an Administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency who shares that commitment is essential.

Just Say NO! to Pruitt

One hundred seventy – that’s 170 – environmental organizations have joined together to oppose Pruitt’s nomination to head EPA. In a letter to supporters, the media and Congress, here’s what they conclude about his nomination:

President-elect Trump’s nominee to head the EPA, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, has actively worked against the mission of the agency
he has been nominated to lead.

He should be rejected by the Senate.

Scott Pruitt’s views and actions run counter to the EPA’s critical mission
to protect our health and the environment.

He is unfit to administer the laws he would be entrusted to enforce.

The Senate should reject his nomination.

Write to your Senator today to urge NO on Pruitt! It’s easy to do on the Moms Clean Air Force website.

The post 12 Best Reasons To Tell Your Senator to Vote NO on Scott Pruitt for EPA appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Are you fired up and ready to vote? I know I am. In fact, I’m so fired up, I’m going to vote early. Down below, you’ll find a link so you know when you can vote early, too.

Why do I care? Because here’s what’s at stake:

The air we breathe.

The way we use energy.

Our health, and the health of our kids and grandkids.

The water we drink.

Nature in all its beauty.

All of my concerns are connected to just one thing: where we get our energy.

Right now, most of our energy comes from burning fossil fuels: coal, oil, natural gas.

Air pollution from fossil fuels creates the pollution that causes smog and Code Red bad air days. If you have asthma, it’s worse because of dirty air. Women get more heart attacks than men when they live in cities where the air is polluted. None of us should be outside when it’s Code Red.

Burning fossil fuels is also causing climate change. By now, you know what that means. Worse poison ivy. More mosquitoes and dengue fever. Floods. Fire. Drought. Hurricanes like Katrina and Matthew and Sandy – terrible superstorms that have caused billions of dollars of damage, killed hundreds of people, and ruined our homes and, in some cases, our livelihoods.

Drilling for oil, fracking for natural gas and mining for coal cause some of the worst environmental disasters we’ve ever seen, from oil spills to contaminated rivers to polluted ground water.

Says Clean Air Moms Action, “We must fight to protect the air we breathe and the many treasured places across our country vulnerable to climate disruption.”

Adds North Carolina Mom Caroline Armijo, “I’ve been meeting with moms…we’ve been praying for solutions…And one thing we know we can do right now is vote.”

What Difference Does It Make If We Vote?

The next President of the United States, our elected officials in Congress, our governors, and  our state legislators all hold the power to decide whether our nation continues to burn fossil fuels – or whether we finally make a full and complete transition to the abundant clean energy that is all around us: energy from the wind and the sun. Our elected officials can decide whether to help us save energy, too.

Don’t Miss: Top Ten Reasons to Take Climate Change Seriously

Why Vote Early?

Early voting gives you the peace of mind that you’ve made your voice heard and your concerns count.

Plus, by voting early, you can volunteer to help get the vote out. Clean Air Moms is asking “passionate volunteers to help get their communities out to vote.” You can make a difference by helping register people to vote, educating your community on the issues, and showing up at candidate events.”

As Clean Air Moms Action points out, “There is more on the line during the 2016 election than the office of the President. There are also many “down ballot” races that will have an impact on your daily life and the quality of the air our children breathe.”

Where Can You Vote Early? Find Out Here!

Take the Pledge

I’m joining with Clean Air Moms Action to pledge to vote by or on November 8.

Won’t you join us?

NOTE: This post was produced with support from Clean Air Moms Action. All editorial opinions are my own.

The post Vote Early – and Vote for Clean Air appeared first on Big Green Purse.

It’s great to crank up the heat when winter hits and we need to stay warm. But overly warm, dry air can make you pretty uncomfortable.

Low humidity can dry out the mucous membranes that line the nose and throat, causing irritation that may lead to a bloody nose.

Overly dry air can also cause chapped or cracked lips, and dry skin.

To fix the problem, use either a whole-house humidifier or a unit designed for a single room (a lot of people like to have a humidifier in their bedroom to make it easier to sleep).

Either one will add humidity to your space without making you feel like you’re in a rainforest.

Whichever type you use, it’s essential to use a humidifier air filter, as well. Here is why, thanks to our sponsor for this post, FilterBuy.com.

Why Use a Humidifier Air Filter?

Humidifiers work by evaporating water into the air around them. Usually, they’ll draw moisture up through a filter material; a fan will help evaporate and disseminate the water.

A humidifier air filters plays an important role. It’s designed specifically to trap minerals in the water you add to the unit, reports eHow.com. Why does this matter?

“When mist is created by a humidifier, any minerals that evaporate with the water enter the air and create a fine white dust,” says Jessica Kolirath, eHow contributor.

While there’s no conclusive evidence that this dust can make you sick, EPA recommends using water with low mineral content to prevent the build-up of scale and the dispersal of minerals into the air. You also need to use a humidifier air filter.

The humidifier air filter will trap the dust before it escapes into the air you breathe.

⇒ If your water contains high amounts of dissolved minerals, you’ll want to change your filter frequently.

⇒ Alternatively, you can use bottled distilled water, though you’ll still have to change your filter from time to time.

Your furnace may contain a humidifier, in which case you will want to replace it regularly and use the most efficient filter possible. An added benefit is that, replacing your air filter will prolong the life of your furnace, so you will save money over time.

If you don’t yet have a humidifier but are thinking of getting one, there are several styles to choose from.

√ Cool evaporation, warm evaporation and hot steam humidifiers are common. They all need filters, so if you choose one of these models, keep track of the kind of filter it requires and how often you should change it.

√ Ultrasonic humidifiers create mist through sound vibrations, not heat like the other models. They use no filters.

Before you buy a humidifier, identify how much space you have to humidify, and how effective each humidifier type is.

Important! When buying a humidifier air filter, make sure you get the right size.

Our sponsors for this post, FilterBuy.com, warn that the major air conditioner manufacturers change filter sizes frequently, which could make it difficult to find a filter that fits. (Irregular sizes of air ducts cut by housing contractors can make finding the right humidifier tricky as well.)

Sponsor: FilterBuy.com is a family owned and operated business concerned about indoor air quality. They provide one-stop filter shopping to make it easy for every customer to find the filter he or she needs. Sponsorships from companies like Filter Buy enable us to continue to bring your expert content at no additional cost to you. Our expert opinions remain independent.

SOURCES

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EHow.com

The post Are You Breathing Icky Air? Or Do You Use a Humidifier Air Filter? appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Air pollution is particularly tough on kids, reports the terrific non-profit group Moms Clean Air Force, because they actually breathe faster than grown-ups and inhale more air per pound of body weight. Some communities, like this inspiring group in Nova Scotia, Canada, have banded together to put a stop to idling at schools, sporting events, and shopping malls.

According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC.gov), idling a car for as little as ten seconds actually uses more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it! In fact, every minute of idling uses at least 2/10 of a gallon of gas, up to about 7/10 of a gallon for an 8-cylinder engine. If you spend five minutes idling, you’ll waste a perfectly good gallon of gas. If gas costs you an average of $3.00 a gallon, that’s three bucks pretty much burned up with nothing to show for it. Do that four or five times a week, and you could waste as much as $12 or $15 – enough to buy a pizza, go see a movie, or save in your rainy day fund.

The problem increases in winter because so many drivers believe idling is a good way to warm up their engine. In fact, just the opposite is true, says SCDHEC.gov. To properly warm a vehicle’s transmission, tires, suspension, steering, and wheel bearings, it’s much better to slowly drive the car as soon as you you start it.

Sure, it’s convenient to idle, especially if you’re waiting for someone, using a drive-through window, or (ahem) parking illegally. But for cleaner air, healthier kids, and greater fuel savings, keep the idling to a minimum.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STOP IDLING ENGINES?

* If you’re going to be stopped at a traffic light, traffic jam or railroad crossing for longer than ten seconds, turn off the engine. (Don’t worry – research shows that turning off the engine and then turning it on again several seconds or a minute later doesn’t damage it, despite the myth to the contrary.)

* Skip drive-throughs, especially during the busiest times of the day when start-stop traffic is likeliest to be heavy (this means mornings at drive-through donut and coffee shops, lunch time for fast food restaurants, and afterwork for banks). The one drive-through I do use is at my pharmacy; I’ve learned that a wait for the customer in front of me could take five or ten minutes, and my own service could take equally as long. It’s been easy to get in the habit of turning the car off until it’s my turn.

* Use a remote car starter sparingly. Yeah, in cold climates, it’s a real treat to get into a warm car when it’s freezing outside. But ironically, though the air might be warmer, it could actually be more polluted, as well, since outdoor emissions can filter into the car through windows and air intake vents.

* Definitely avoid idling your vehicle if you’re near a school or bus stop, recommends the U.S. EPA. Why expose children to all that dirty air?

* Keep a blanket in the car or van so the kids can cuddle up and get warm while they’re waiting for the car to do the same.

Creative Commons Photo Credit: Idling photo link

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Kids Drive Moms’ Passion to Save Energy, Join Team ENERGY STAR

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According to the New York Times, 345 counties currently violate the new standards EPA has set to reduce smog and clean up the air. Bringing those counties into compliance would prevent 900 to 1,100 premature deaths a year and result in 5,600 fewer hospital or emergency room visits. Even with these benefits, groups like the Association of Clean Air Agencies worry that the standards are still too low.

The timetable for meeting the smog standards could be decades, reports the Times, depending on the severity of the problem in each city. Industries like the electric utility industry are expected to resist  reducing the pollution from power plants to meet EPA’s clean air directives. In tones that harken back to the debate around global warming, the Edison Electric Institute, a utility trade association, is challenging the scientifically-accepted cause-and-effect relationship between smog and human health — even though millions of people already suffer increased asthma, heart attacks, and other ailments from polluted air.

While consumers should contact their member of Congress to support stricter standards, they shouldn’t wait for more government action to take steps to protect their air. Smog results directly from burning fossil fuels. Consumers can help improve the air in their cities and towns by reducing the amount of energy they use. If every household installed just one compact fluorescent light bulb, for example, it would have the equivalent benefit of taking 800,000 cars off the road.

Consumers can also use programmable thermostatsand energy efficient appliances, take mass transit or carpool, and buy electricity generated by windpower or biomass.

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