Environmental Justice: Make Polluters Pay:
- Bob Gatty
- Jul 5, 2024
- 3 min read
There's a battle brewing in both state legislatures and in Washington that aims to hold big oil accountable for their substantial contributions to climate change. The core issue? Making these polluters pay for the damage they cause to our environment.
This fight is the central topic on today's episode of the Lean to the Left podcastwith Jamie Henn, founder and executive director of Fossil Free Media.
Make Polluters Pay: The Big Picture
In the episode was recorded on the eve of the first presidential debate between President Biden and Donald Trump—a man convicted of several felonies—Henn shed light on the real culprits behind climate change and explained that Fossil Free Media supports movements to break free from fossil fuels, running several campaigns designed to hold major polluters accountable.
Jamie is a vocal advocate for initiatives like Creative Medias, which pressures PR and ad agencies to cut ties with fossil fuel companies. "We focus on building public support for holding big oil financially accountable," says Jamie.
The Fight for Legislative Change
About three years ago, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced a bill requiring the biggest polluters, like oil companies, to pay into a "Polluters Pay" climate fund. The bill sought to finance efforts to tackle climate change by holding polluters financially accountable.
"The bill proposed by Senator Van Hollen didn't make it through the final negotiations of the Inflation Reduction Act," Jamie explains. "A major hurdle was the opposition from Senator (Joe) Manchin (D_WV), who isn’t a fan of holding polluters accountable because of his close ties with the fossil fuel industry."
This setback has only intensified the urgency to address climate change, especially as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe. Jamie firmly believes that the heavy toll of climate impacts in the US necessitates more robust actions and accountability measures.
Public Opinion and Politics
Significantly, the idea of making polluters pay has gained significant traction across partisan lines. Jamie reports that "polls reveal over 70 percent of Republicans support the idea of big oil contributing to the cost of climate damage." This reflects a fundamental principle of fairness: those responsible for the damage should pay to clean it up.
Moreover, Jamie argues that even if some remain skeptical about global warming, the increasing costs associated with extreme weather events are undeniable. Holding polluters accountable is not just an environmental issue; it's an economic necessity, he contends.
State-Level Initiatives
While federal efforts have faced hurdles, several states have taken legislative steps to make polluters pay. "Vermont made history by becoming the first government to pass legislation that requires big oil companies to pay into a fund that will help manage the impacts of climate change," Jamie notes. New York is also on the cusp of passing similar legislation, with notable support across labor, environmental justice groups, and other stakeholders.
Governors in other states like California, Maryland, and Massachusetts are contemplating similar bills. The grassroots momentum is palpable, and initiatives are gaining traction at various levels of government, he reports.
Challenges from the Opposition
The pushback from the fossil fuel industry and its political allies is fierce, as they claim financial penalties on oil companies would result in higher consumer prices. However, Jamie dismisses these claims, emphasizing that "the international oil market doesn't allow companies to arbitrarily raise prices in specific states due to new regulations."
Further, the transition to clean energy, bolstered by incentives for electric vehicles and investments in a national EV charging network, is at risk if anti-environmental agendas prevail in future elections. "Trump's opposition to clean energy is a threat to consumers, the economy, and the environment," warns Jamie.
The Role of Public Awareness
Jamie urges continued public engagement and conversation about climate change and clean energy.
"Talking to your neighbors, discussing the benefits of electric vehicles and solar power, and highlighting the economic advantages of clean energy can drive significant change," he emphasizes. Local activism and public conversations are pivotal in pushing forward the agenda to make polluters pay.
While the fight to hold polluters accountable for climate change is complex and ongoing, champions like Jamie Henn and organizations like Fossil Free Media are important to achieving meaningful progress. By staying informed, engaged, and vocal, citizens can influence policies to ensure a sustainable and equitable future.
To get involved or learn more, visit Make Polluters Pay. Every voice counts in the battle to protect our planet and our communities from the adverse effects of climate change.
View the interview: https://youtu.be/MgKiUMNn9aY
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