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WASHINGTON, DC - The 2nd National Latino Congreso unanimously adopted Earth Day Network resolutions demanding more support for green schools and renewable energy and a moratorium on all new coal fired power plants, as well as an immediate phase out of existing coal plants and coal production. Earth Day Network was one of several Conveners of the 2007 National Latino Congreso, Oct 5-9, in Los Angeles, which drew 3,000 participants from more than 2,000 organizations, local committees, and elected officials in over 20 states.
“We are extremely pleased with the swift passage of our resolutions which reflect Earth Day Network’s mission to transition this country from fossil fuels to renewable energy and to instill a strong environmental ethic in our young people,” said EDN President Kathleen Rogers. “The Latino environmental agenda is once again among the strongest in the nation and we will work tirelessly with our network across the country to put this agenda before U.S. leaders and policy makers.”
Highlights of EDN’s National Latino Congreso resolutions:
Resolution 7.03 – Moratorium on Coal Production and New Coal-Fired Power Plants: Petitions the federal government to impose a moratorium on coal development and on the construction of new coal-fired power plants. The resolution also calls for major federal investment in renewable energy sources, demanding that that the government play a substantial role in providing economic and social safety nets for those communities and segments of the U.S. population that will be adversely affected by the transition from coal to renewable and clean fuels.
Resolution 7.05 – Resolution on Renewable Energy: Calls for a Federal Renewable Energy Standard that requires at least 25% of electricity come from renewable sources by 2020 and a federal procurement policy to create a vigorous market for and drive down the costs of solar equipment and other renewable energy technologies. Calls on states to get at least 30% of their energy from renewable sources by 2025 and requires city governments to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% through the use of renewable energy sources no later than 2020.
Resolution 7.09 - Resolution for Green Schools: Calls for toxin-free and energy efficient school sites, healthier meals that include organic food, and more green spaces.
About Earth Day Network
Earth Day Network, www.earthday.net, seeks to grow and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable planet. It pursues these goals through education, public policy, and consumer activism. Current grassroots programs include the Climate Change Solutions Campaign, Campaign for Communities, and the National Civic Education Project. Earth Day Network works with more than 25,000 K-12 teachers in the U.S. alone. Earth Day Television, www.earthdaytv.net, greatly expands EDN’s reach to a global network of more than 17,000 partner organizations in 174 countries. More than one billion people participate in Earth Day civic activities, making it the largest secular civic event in the world.
The 39th Earth Day will be celebrated on April 22, 2008.
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