200 Moms And Kids Launch A "Play-in" Protest On Capitol Hill For Climate Action

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 200 moms and their kids are holding a unique "Play-in for Climate Action," on Capitol Hill today, a family-friendly protest against the air pollution causing dangerous climate change. The event features children at play, a press conference joined by U.S. Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-CA., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI., and a march to deliver a message from families across America: "Use your power to clean up our power."

The "play-in" is a spin on the traditional "sit-in" for a new generation; moms know children can't sit still. Organizers are urging members of Congress to support the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan announced in June. The plan proposes the first-ever limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants, the biggest source of climate-changing pollution in the U.S.  

"Air pollution isn't just unhealthy to breathe–it is causing global warming and that is threatening our children now. That's why moms want to see meaningful action on climate," said Dominique Browning, Moms Clean Air Force co-founder and senior director. "Members of Congress, many of whom are moms and dads themselves, need to see the faces of the children who suffer most as we fail to address the growing climate crisis. Families from all corners of America agree: It's time to get serious about climate change."

"As nurses, we're on the front-lines seeing kids and families already being impacted by climate change," said Katie Huffling, RN, CNM, director of programs for the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. "Children are especially vulnerable to the negative health impacts from climate change and if we don't take action now we're going to see more kids suffering with asthma and other respiratory issues. The Alliance supports the new Clean Power Rule and is asking Congress to do the same. The health of our children and future generations is at stake."

"Carbon pollution from power plants is fueling the climate change putting our kids and communities in harm's way," said Lisa Hoyos, director of Climate Parents. She added, "Members of Congress must act to ensure America's kids get a carbon rule that keeps them safe."

The "play-in" is organized by a number of parent-activist groups. They include: Moms Clean Air Force, the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, Climate Parents, Healthy Child Healthy World and The Mothers Project United for Sustainability.

They are gathering in the Upper Senate Park at 10 a.m., playing with their kids, speaking out publicly and then delivering hand-written messages from children to more than 40 Senate offices.

"We have come together to show that families nationwide are united in support of the EPA's Clean Power Plan to cut carbon pollution," said Moms Clean Air Force National Field Manager Gretchen Dahlkemper Alfonso, a Pennsylvania mom. "We also hope to offer a counterpoint to some in Congress who seek to undermine the EPA's work and solutions to climate change."

"As a mother of two toddlers, I realized that creating a smaller carbon footprint at home is not enough," said Heather Clark, a Virginia mom and principal of the Biome Studio. "I am deeply concerned about what the world will look like in 2045 when my children are my age and having children of their own. Climate change threatens our food supply, our homes, our safety, and most importantly, the health of our children. That's why we must act now."

For more about Moms Clean Air Force, click here: http://www.momscleanairforce.org/

For more about the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environment, click here: http://envirn.org/

For more about Climate Parents, click here: http://www.climateparents.org/

For more about Healthy Child Healthy World, click here: http://healthychild.org/

For more about The Mothers Project United for Sustainability, click here: http://www.mothersforsustainableenergy.com/

SOURCE Moms Clean Air Force. Washington, D.C.