Philly needs clean air, water, & soil and a stable climate, not a future of fossil fuels
What We Know — Energy companies plan to turn Philadelphia into a fossil fuel energy hub
Fossil fuel companies have been planning, lobbying, and bidding for years to expand fossil fuel infrastructure in our city without input from residents and workers. If built, these projects would turn the city into a major regional hub for fossil fuel processing and transport, especially of natural gas, and attract polluting petrochemical industries.
Existing fossil fuel facilities pollute our city and threaten the health and safety of communities, especially working families and communities of color. Dirty air contributes to high asthma rates, oil trains risk exploding in residential areas, and our soil and water is at risk. Climate change, a result of this fossil fuel economy, is a threat to communities globally. In Philadelphia, it directly affects those at risk of flooding with rising tides and increasing superstorms. Climate change affects everyone’s access to food, land, and economic security and will cost the city billions of dollars if left unchecked.
What We Believe — Fossil fuels are not a path to economic and energy justice
Fossil fuels, including natural gas, rely on toxic practices of extraction, transport, and burning. Philadelphia should not build its energy future on fuels that exacerbate environmental and economic disaster. Nor should it sacrifice the long-term security of residents and workers for the short-term gains of fossil fuel corporations. Philadelphians shouldn’t have to choose between economic hardship or jobs that pollute their communities. Green jobs produce more employment than fossil fuels and take better care of our health and safety.
Philadelphia should commit to creating a clean, sustainable, and equitable economic plan for our city.
What We Envision — Clean energy climate jobs could support working families while transitioning Philly away from fossil fuels
The energy transition we need would create living wage “climate jobs” in renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors to mitigate toxic pollution and curb carbon emissions. Philadelphians should have a say in our energy future. We have the power to halt dirty fossil fuels and open pathways for energy justice in Philadelphia if we organize and take action together. We envision a Philadelphia with clean air, water, and soil and sustainable energy that takes care of people and the planet.
Who We Are
This campaign is being launched by a group of young people committed to fighting for economic and environmental justice in Philadelphia, including some members of Maypop and some with experience from other social change groups. We’re relatively new to the city and strive to learn from and work with people who have been here far longer. We are committed to working in relationship with people living on the fencelines of toxic facilities, groups fighting for social justice, and those affected by ecological disruption. We’ve engaged in social change work in the past and are bringing those skills into this effort.
What We’re Doing
Through a listening tour, we’re learning from people with knowledge and expertise, including people who have experienced toxic facilities first-hand, organizations working for healthy and powerful communities, and people with expertise on the infrastructure and policies themselves. With information we gather and relationships we build, we will take action together for energy justice in Philadelphia.
Interested in getting involved in the campaign?
Contact us at maypopcollective@riseup.net
Photo credit: Thomas Kelly IV
