World Wisdom: Moms Clean Air Force

Raising the alarm about hundreds of premature deaths and 150,000 child asthma attacks per year linked to climate change and carbon pollution, an estimated 400 moms and kids gathered in a park on Capitol Hill to hold a "Play-In" protest. Organized by the Moms Clean Air Force, the mothers and their children called for action on climate change and air pollution, as well as to voice support for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Power Plan.

In making the case for the Clean Power Plan, organizers and speakers cited the following EPA data: "These reductions will lead to climate and health benefits worth an estimated $55 billion to $93 billion per year in 2030. This includes avoiding 2,700 to 6,600 premature deaths and 140,000 to 150,000 asthma attacks in children. These climate and health benefits far outweigh the estimated annual costs of the plan, which are $7.3 billion to $8.8 billion in 2030. From the soot and smog reductions alone, for every dollar invested through the Clean Power Plan, American families will see up to $7 in health benefits."

The family-friendly "Play-In" protest began at 930 a.m. with family activities, including music, hula-hoops, capoeira instruction, yoga, puppets, storytelling, and crafts. At 11 a.m., a news conference was held featuring the views of protest event attendees from across the U.S. The morning's activities ended with an 1130 a.m.-noon march on US. Senate offices.

ABOUT THE GROUP

Moms Clean Air Force is a community of half a million moms -- and dads -- working together to combat air pollution, including the urgent crisis of our changing climate. For more information, go to www.momscleanairforce.org.