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Lansing, MI—Moms Clean Air Force, Michigan State Senator Sam Singh, State Representative Julie Brixie, and local advocates gathered at Lansing City Hall today for a press conference to denounce the Trump administration’s scorched-earth approach, putting the federal government’s power behind boosting corporate polluter profits over protecting human lives from toxic pollution and extreme weather.
This administration is letting polluters poison the air and water, subverting the missions of agencies charged with protecting public health and safety, denying established climate science, dismantling the protections meant to limit life-threatening pollution and alert people to life-threatening extreme weather, and denying desperately needed federal aid.
As Michiganders call for more protection of our environment and climate in the leadup to Earth Day, speakers at the news conference spotlighted the harms the Trump administration’s actions have had on Michigan’s climate and communities.
Broadcast: Moms Clean Air Force X and YouTube, and Moms Michigan X
QUOTES FROM SPEAKERS:
“As moms, our instinct is to protect our children. We do everything we can to keep them safe, healthy, and able to just be kids. But we cannot do it alone. We need strong safeguards in place. We need clean air protections that are grounded in science and designed to protect human life, not weaken it. Without them, families are left carrying a burden no parent should have to bear,” says Elizabeth Hauptman, Michigan Field Organizer, Moms Clean Air Force.
“Our job as elected officials is to ensure that the Michigan our children inherit has clean water to drink, breathable air in every zip code, and a thriving economy powered by the very technology that is working to save our planet,” says Michigan State Senator Sam Singh, District 28. “It’s critical we continue fighting against the backpedaling we are seeing from Republicans at the state and federal level. A safe and healthy future for our kids should not be a partisan issue.”
“Our commitment to green energy with the 2023 clean energy standard law was the right step for our state, our environment, our economy, and our future,” says Michigan State Representative Julie Brixie, District 73. “A continued focus on net zero technology and research is the future, and it is disappointing that the current federal administration is focused on undermining this shift with policies that keep fossil fuels burning, like the J.H. Campbell coal plant that is being forced to stay open on the west side of our state.”
“As we celebrate Earth Day, let’s remember that climate change is both a health crisis and a health opportunity,” says Dr. Lisa Del Buono, Founder and Board Chair, Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action. “Transitioning away from polluting fossil fuels will save lives and save healthcare dollars. Michigan’s 2023 Clean Energy Legislation is an important first step, especially as the Trump administration removes life-saving EPA guardrails, defunds important social safety net programs, and encourages the use of outdated, expensive, fossil fuels which make Americans sick.”
“Health belongs in all policies because policy decisions shape health outcomes. When environmental and regulatory policies are weakened, the cumulative impacts show up directly in our communities, harming our seniors and children the most. In honor of the 56th Earth Day, we are reminded that collective action to protect the Earth is also collective action to protect public health,” says Carlee Knott, Energy & Climate Policy Manager, Michigan Environmental Council.
“Here in Lansing, we have seen what extreme weather looks like up close,” says Sarah Thornton, Moms Clean Air Force member. “Roads flooding after heavy rain. Highways shut down because they are underwater. Storms bringing dangerous winds, hail, and the threat of tornadoes. This is happening here, to our families.”