More carbon pollution means higher temperatures, and that means more dangerous smog - plus a whole host of other health impacts. That's why EPA is working on limiting carbon pollution from power plants, which are the nation's largest single source of this pollutant. And they're listening for everyone's ideas as to how.
Recently, several volunteers with the Lung Association's Healthy Air Campaign traveled to DC from across Virginia - including right here in NoVA - to testify at EPA's listening session on cutting carbon pollution. This group of medical professionals and patients spoke compellingly about the need for strong limits on carbon.
Dr. Christopher Lillis, a physician, talked about his patients who have trouble managing their asthma on days with dirty air. He said, "I took the time to drive here tonight from my home about an hour away in Fredericksburg, Virginia to advocate for my patients, to advocate for our strained and expensive health system, and most of all, to advocate for my 3-year-old son."
Beckie Geary, a nurse, also advocated for her patients, and she also described her own experiences as a lung cancer survivor: "I find myself becoming anxious and stressed if I am suddenly in an area where I’m breathing something that’s potentially dangerous."
Here in Northern Virginia, we already have unhealthy levels of smog - we're part of the 9th smoggiest metro area in the country, in fact. We can't afford the additional air pollution that will occur if we don't cut carbon emissions.
There's still plenty of time for you to speak up to EPA about why you want them to set strong limits on this pollution. And you can do it from the comfort of your computer. Just visit http://www2.epa.gov/carbon-pollution-standards/forms/carbon-pollution-standards-contact-us to weigh in.
