From Green Right Now Reports
Calling themselves “Clean Energy Patriots,” dozens of environmental leaders today asked the U.S. Senate to quit serving the interests of “Big Oil” and take action on behalf of Americans who want clean energy and climate solutions.
The leaders from nearly 50 environmental and social responsibility groups signed a declaration at the U.S. Capitol. It demands that the Senate quit stalling on climate action, and kicks off a 40-day countdown until Earth Day, which celebrates its 40th anniversary on April 22.
They urged citizens to join in what they are calling the Earth Day Revolution.
“The first Earth Day was a success because 20 million Americans demonstrated an urgent need for environmental protection and action,” said Kathleen Rogers, President, Earth Day Network. “Together, we can make the 40th anniversary of Earth Day a pivotal moment in the environmental movement. We will use the next 40 days to build momentum around a demand for comprehensive climate legislation…”
Clean energy legislation would not only protect the environment, it would create jobs and improve national security, the leaders said.
“For too long Big Oil and their special interest allies have stood in the way of a clean energy revolution. It’s time for lawmakers to listen to the millions of citizens who will recognize this Earth Day by demanding the Senate gets working to pass comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation,” said Gene Karpinski, President of the League of Conservation Voters. “We need more Clean Energy Patriots this year. We need an Earth Day Revolution, not just another celebration.”
The campaign will wind up with a Climate Rally on the Sunday after Earth Day, on April 25.
The following groups have signed the Earth Day Declaration:
1Sky
Audubon
American Hunters and Shooters
American Rivers
American Values Network
Campus Progress
Center for American Progress Action Fund
Clean Water Action
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Climate Protection Action Fund
Climate Solutions
Defenders of Wildlife
Democracia Ahora
Earth Day Network
Environment America
Environmental Defense Action Fund
Environmental Law and Policy Center
Green for All
Hip Hop Caucus
Interfaith Power and Light
La Onda Verde
League of Conservation Voters
National Catholic Rural Life Conference
National Wildlife Federation
NWF Campus Ecology
Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund
Oceana
Operation Free
Rock the Vote
Sierra Club
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
SACE
Southern Energy Network
StudentPIRGs
SustainUS
Truman National Security Project
Union of Concerned Scientists
Veterans for Common Sense
Voces Verdes
World Wildlife Fund
The Wilderness Society