New York
state is one of the most populated places in the U.S. So
it has the potential to be an incredible leader when it
comes to protecting the environment and public health.
In fact, right now, its lawmakers are
considering passing a bill to reduct plastic
packaging! This would be an amazing victory for
its residents — but the fossil fuel industry is
fighting hard against it. We can't let these
dirty corporations win.
We've all seen the reports.
Microplastics are everywhere now. They're in our
water, our food — even in our brains and reproductive
areas. And we know that plastic packaging is making this
worse. Plastic sloughs off from our food and drink
containers, and it also contaminates the soil and
waterways when it goes into landfills.
On top of that, transporting
trash causes huge increases in air pollution,
especially through dangerous pollutants like PM2.5
releasing into the air. That problem gets even worse
when plastics are burnt at garbage
incinerators.
PM2.5 is considered one of the
most dangerous pollutants of all. Research has
connected its presence to the development of cancer,
childhood asthma, respiratory and heart diseases, and
early deaths. Even worse: this trash-related air
pollution disproportionately impacts communities of
color.
That's why we have to make sure lawmakers
in New York follow through on passing their bill to
fight such pollution. The new legislation would
cut plastic
packaging in the state by 30% over the next 12 years, in
addition to improving recycling measures. It would also
hold corporations responsible for the plastic packaging
that they're polluting us all with, by levying fees on
them.
We must sign the petition to
speak out against fossil fuel corporations and for the
people's right to clean air and water! Sign the petition to demand
that New York lawmakers pass this
bill!
