October 2021 - Next year, will we have the same horrific wildfires, unprecedented heat waves, and extreme droughts and floods, all over again? Yes, if we're lucky! Because more likely, it will be worse, the science says, if we keep adding to the greenhouse gases already in the air. To stabilize our climate we need to shift our national security spending to where it's most needed.
This is a perfect time to redirect some military spending to climate protection, for 3 reasons:
- The US fighting in Afghanistan, costing $115 billion annually on average, has ended.
- The Pocan Amendment to cut the Pentagon spending by 10% ($78 billion) failed recently but will probably have a much better chance next year.
- The government can use these funds to help Americans buy electric cars and electric heat pumps needed to bring us to zero emissions. Fortunately, electric cars and heat pumps are projected to be cheaper to run than gasoline cars and home furnaces.
TAKE ACTION: Urge your Representative to promote the Pocan initiative to reduce the military budget by 10% next year, which would free up funds to help Americans buy the electric cars and heat pumps needed to get to zero emissions. We don't want to end up with lots of military equipment that can't do anything to protect us from having wildfires, or flash floods, or death from excessive heat. The Pentagon has said that global warming is a threat to our national security. We need to treat it as such.
CONTACT: Your Representative in Congress
- Web: Find his/her name and link to their website at house.gov; send an email or leave a message via ‘Contact’ on their website
- Tel: 202 224-3121 (Capitol switchboard-ask for his/her office & leave a message)
- Mail: Representative (first & last name) S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515
Please write a letter-to-the-editor on this important issue.
It is a good way to educate others and build support for needed policies.
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