Letter to Our Legislators
We are a group of health professionals in the state of Connecticut coming together to demand action on climate change. We ask that you place climate change at the forefront of your mission in office. We recognize and thank those who have served in state offices for the steps they have taken to equitably act against the climate crisis. The Clean Air Act, and Public Act 22-25 are among the several of our state's achievements, and we urge you to continue to champion climate action in the next legislative session.
We see in clinical practice the toll that climate change is taking on the health of our community. The evidence is clear: human practices and industries are greatly contributing to climate change. Poor air quality, rising temperatures, and extreme weather, to name a few of the known impacts, increasingly threaten the health of our current and future patients in Connecticut. Those living in historically economically disadvantaged areas will be disproportionately impacted by the health impacts of climate change. As a coastal area, Connecticut is susceptible to flooding which impacts not only infrastructure but also human health. We believe the most dire projections for the planet are not inevitable, but we will need our legislators working with us towards a healthy and more sustainable future.
We ask that you prioritize the following:
Approach climate change as a true public emergency.
Protect air quality by decreasing carbon emissions and production of other air pollutants.
End the build-out and incentivization of oil and gas and transitioning to renewable energy sources, including for transportation, and heating/cooling infrastructure.
Continue to monitor water quality and accessibility.
Prepare for the extreme weather effects of climate change, including flooding, heat, and poor air quality, and the impact these will have on health and safety.
Recognize that climate change will cause the greatest harm among disadvantaged populations and work towards environmental justice.
At Connecticut Health Professionals for Climate Action, we are committed to education on the relationship between planetary and human health, and promotion of greener, healthier practices. We will support our legislators in putting forth policies that protect our community and future generations from the adverse effects of climate change. We call on you to do your part.
