# Pennsylvania Council ofChurches Pittsburgh EPA Hearing on Standards for Carbon Pollution July 31, 2014 Statement by: The Rev. Sandra L. Strauss Directorof PublicAdvocacy Pennsylvania Council ofChurches 900 S. Arlington Avenue, Suite 100 Harrisburg, PA 17109 (717) 545-4761; Fax (717) 545-4765 s.strauss@pachurches.org

Good afternoon. Iam the Rev. Sandra Strauss, DirectorofPublic Advocacy for the Pennsylvania Council ofChurches, based in Harrisburg. Ispeaktoday on behalfofthe Council. We are an organization of42 member bodies representing 20 Christian denominations with thousands of persons offaith throughout the Commonwealth. First Iwantto thank the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency forthis proposed carbon standard, and forthe opportunity to speak to you today on its behalf. We supportthe standard as it has been proposed, and we wish to see it implemented fully without being weakened in any way. Throughout scripture, Christians are called to be good stewards and caretakers ofGod's marvelous creation, and understand we have a responsibility to raise our voices when action is needed to protect our environment. That is why Iam here today. We believe that all creation is a giftfrom God. An ancient psalmistwrote: "The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it." Forfartoo long we have failed to truly care for the magnificent creation we have been given. Overthe last decadewe have witnessed more extremeweather patterns and the hottest annual temperatures on record,' and Pennsylvania is not immune A 2008 reportfrom the Union ofConcerned Scientists indicates that Pennsylvania is headed for a hotter and environmentally challenging futurewith significant consequences forthe quality oflife for all Pennsylvanians, as well as livestock, crops, trees, and bird populations. Scientific evidence tells us we need to reduce global warming emissions now, and we need to hold majoremitters responsible fortheir actions. This is particularly importantfor Pennsylvania. Withjusttwelve million residents-approximately two tenths ofone percent ofthe world's population-Pennsylvania creates nearly one percent ofthe world's global warming emissions. We know that the technology existsto reduce it, but efforts to do so have met strong resistance from polluters and politicians alike. However, our concern extends beyondthe environment to include the negative health and economic effects that global warming has on all ofGod's people-particularlythose who are most vulnerable for reasons ofhealth, location, age, and economic status. TheAmerican Lung Association says, "Climate change and ozone scientists warn that the buildup ofgreenhouse gases and the climate changes caused by it will create conditions, including warmertemperatures, which will increase the risk ofunhealthful ambient ozone levels

.. " Ozone pollution is known to present a serious health threatto millions ofAmericans. Certain populations, including children and youth, senior citizens, and those with health problems-especially lung disease-are particularly vulnerable to the negative health effects ofozone, but even healthy persons are not immune.Pittsburgh EPA Hearing on Standards for Carbon Pollution Statement by The Rev. Sandra L Strauss 

### 2 July 31, 2014 TheAmerican Lung Association's conclusion? "To protect human health, the nation needs strong measures to reduce climate change and ozone."" Also, extreme heat is particularly hard on older persons and persons suffering from health problems. Cities like Philadelphia have experienced numerous heat related deaths during periods of extreme heat, and hospitals have experienced increased admissions for conditions that are exacerbated by heat and pollutants."' We believethese new carbon limits will give clean energy industries afighting chance to compete with major polluting industries as investors begin to shift investmentstoward energy efficiency and clean energy technologies-which are, whetherwe choose to acknowledge it or not, the future. We can't continue to footthe bill for the expense of inaction-morefrequent and extreme weather events that have cost us dearly both in terms ofmoney and in lives changed forever by the loss ofhomes and livelihoods. Rev. Peter Sawtell, a member ofthe Environment & Energy Task Force ofthe United Church of Christ, said We live in a time in which human acts are creating unprecedented stress and destruction to our global environment. God's shalom is shattered when pollution and scarce resources create injustice in human communities, when other species are forced into extinction, and when the life-sustaining natural processes of Earth are distorted because ofclimate change. Ifourfaith is to be relevant, it must take this new situation into account.'v Ourfaith demandsthat we act. The Pennsylvania Council of Churches calls on you-the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-to implementthe proposed carbon standards as written as soon as possible.

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**h_HR)~~-no~_ao_'?.\r\!~_-_QQ_§_~**_ **_g_q_~[~9_i_ies2010/2010Q_ll_?_!?_~~~e()ftheclimate._fl_!0:1_1** NOAA: Past Decade Warmest on Record According to Scientists in 48 Countries: Earth has been growing warmerfor more than fifty years, July 28, 2010, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

**"www.l~** '" ww_w_,_nca2QH_._g)Q_R,a_IGhange.gov "Ibid

.. p. 4.