'While we celebrate this victory for the health of our climate and the well-being of our communities, it is critical that we stay vigilant,' writes LaaliMD
threatening displacement and access to healthcare. For our health and that of future generations, we need to leave fossil fuels in the ground, starting now.
While many mobilized and organized to oppose Manchin’s give away to the fossil fuel industry, others claimed that passing this bill was simply the price of doing politics: Senator Schumer promised Manchin this"" in exchange for his vote on the Inflation Reduction Act. Putting aside the fact that climate change does not care about our politics, this is the very mindset that has led to Indigenous, low-income and communities of color being turned into sacrifice zones for decades.
If we are serious about a just transition, the task at hand is not only about organizing to fight specific dirty legislations, but also challenging this harmful mindset daily in our practice. We can no longer be satisfied by looking at the bright side of flawed legislations that hurt frontline communities disproportionately. We need to lead with reform that centers the voices of environmental justice communities and scales up renewable energy rapidly.