Madison Mathiasen

Environment America intern Mmathiasen 1(a7gmail.com

The one-year anniversary of the super-storm that tore apart my New Jersey hometown is approaching. Hurricane Sandy devastated homes and businesses around my town, and all over the state. Power outages left people cold and vulnerable, and the powerful sea that rose and covered shore-towns left destruction in its path, as well as more than 100 people dead. This super-storm left billions of dollars worth of damage, rivaling even Hurricane Katrina. These storms are the planet's attempt to send us a message. They will not stop. As you have seen even this winter, unprecedented snowfall in southern cities has been leaving parts of the country disabled. The weather patterns are going to continue to get more and more extreme, and this is greatly a result of global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has confirmed that the frequency and severity of extreme weather events like these will continue to increase unless we dramatically cut the carbon pollution fueling global wanming.

Environment America's Research and Policy Center's report, 

### "Amerfca's Dirtiest
Power Plants," shows that power plants in America are the single largest source of carbon pollution, and that only a handful of the dirtiest plants make up a huge portion of our emissions. For example, the 50 dirtiest US plants emit more carbon than all but 6 other countries. This is absurd. Why, in America, do we feel so entitled to pollute the air that we, as a global population, depend on to survive and prosper?

I have already made the decision that this planet is not a place to raise children. Because of all of the pollution, environmental degradation, and health risks resulting from poor regulation and corrupt loopholes in laws, my personal opportunity to start a family has been stolen from me. I feel betrayed by the leaders of my country. It is not right that this planet has been so destroyed from pollution and dirty energy initiatives that I now fear for my safety in the coming years. I feel sadness for the future of our nation and for children that will have to deal with the repercussions of climate change, that we were too busy contributing to, to fix. I feel hopeless and powerless, as if no one is listening to the pleas of the people.

Today is an opportunity to change that. We are joined here today to urge you to stop the carbon pollution that is so contributing to global warming. Americans are demanding action. We have already submitted 4 million comments in support of limiting carbon pollution from power plants. Hundreds of elected officials, business leaders, and organizations have voiced their support for reigning in the biggest polluters.

We know there's a better way than dirty power plants. Surveys from across the country show that Americans are aware of the impacts and effects of global warming, and that we are ready and willing to make the switch to clean energy. I and my friends are doing the things we can to cut our impact on the planet — driving less, using efficient lightbulbs, limiting our meat intake, interning with environmental nonprofits, and taking time out of my day to urge leaders like you to act. But if we're going to tackle the 10 7problem, we need a national commitment to cutting carbon pollution. We are relying on

you to lead the way and help transition us to a cleaner future — you have the power to take the necessary actions to cut pollution from the largest sources and make the biggest dent in the problem. Please act quickly to protect our lives and future.

The opposition from power companies and the coal industry, who profit from pollution, along with their allies in Congress are ready to fight us to protect their pockets and all the dirty money that they earn promoting pollution. That's why it is absolutely critical that state leaders join us in supporting President Obama's plan to tackle global warming by limiting carbon pollution from power plants. Its time for action!

While global warming's worst impacts will be felt by future generations, these massive hurricanes, thick smog clouds, and acid rain are affecting the health and wellbeing of our people right now. We cannot ignore the message that these events are sending us. Failure to act is not just betrayal to future generations, but it is a sign of pure ignorance and duplicity.

Environment America calls on state leaders to join us in supporting limits on power plants' carbon pollution, and to not back down against wealthy opposition tempting you with promises of money. Further, we urge the EPA to move forward to finalize these carbon pollution standards for new power plants, so that no new plants will be allowed to dump unlimited amounts of dangerous carbon pollution into the air. Without these regulations, we are destined to continue rushing full-force towards collapse, not just as a society, but as an entire global population.