The American Ethical Union has worked with Food and Water Watch on several climate actions including the March for a Clean Energy Revolution (2016), Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipelines (CAPP) (2016), and the People’s Climate March (2014 & 2017). Below is news from them on OFF Act:

“Representative Tulsi Gabbard (HI-2), joined by Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13), Jamie Raskin (MD-8), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), and Keith Ellison (MN-5) have introduced the OFF Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act (HR 3671).

As we witness the devastation of Harvey and now Irma, our hearts are with the communities impacted by these terrible storms. It’s clear that with a warming climate, extreme weather catastrophes will become more frequent and deadly, with low income areas and communities of color hit hardest. It’s a harsh reminder of the real impacts of climate change and why we need to act quickly and boldly to address it.

The OFF Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act (“OFF Act”) is based on the most recent science and is the strongest piece of legislation on climate in Congress to date. It recognizes that we must make massive changes to our energy system in the next decade if we are to avoid even worse and more frequent impacts of climate chaos. The bill also recognizes the critical need to place racial and economic justice at the forefront of the climate fight.

The OFF Act will:

• Provide for a just transition with a focus on environmental and economic justice communities
• Require 100% of electricity sold in the United States to come from clean energy by 2035, with an interim benchmark of 80% by 2027
• Require 100% of car sales from manufacturers be zero-emission vehicles by 2035
• End federal fossil fuel subsidies and puts a moratorium on new major fossil fuel projects
• Place a tax on offshore corporate income to help fund the renewable energy revolution
• Require elimination of fossil fuels without allowing for interim marketplace avoidance mechanisms like cap and trade that have proven ineffective in significantly reducing emissions

 
With the current dysfunction in DC, we recognize that this legislation won’t pass in this congress, but we’re ready to organize around it now—to move the debate around the need for urgent climate solutions and work to make this a majority position that will become law in the years to come.

We’re proud to stand alongside our partners—Progressive Democrats of America, Climate Justice Alliance, People’s Action, Indigenous Environmental Network, National Nurses United, and many more organizations who have endorsed the OFF Act.”

Connection to AEU Assemblies:

• This year’s Elliott-Black award at the 2017 AEU Assembly was awarded to Free Your Voice, a Baltimore youth group that fights for environmental justice. It was started by, and is composed of, students at Ben Franklin High School (a Baltimore City public school). They rallied their community to protect the health of residents and engage in political action that betters their lives. (Watch the video of them speaking at Assembly.)
• Last year’s theme was “Communities Confronting Systemic Racism,” and systemic racism is an important element in environmental injustice, with communities of color often experiencing the harshest and earliest impacts.
• AEU 2018 Assembly in Albuquerque will be focused on environmental justice.

 
What action people can take now:

• Add your Society to the organizational sign-on letter (AEU has joined, and Societies can also join individually).
• Share far and wide on social media. Here is a toolkit with sample content for sharing.
• Mobilize your members to help recruit co-sponsors on the OFF Act. Sample email here.