Home Energy and Environment Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe Invited to Join People’s Climate March on Sunday

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe Invited to Join People’s Climate March on Sunday

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UPDATE 1 pm Friday from Gov. McAuliffe’s Facebook page – “Governor McAuliffe commits to #WalktheWalk to combat climate change in VA and build a New Virginia Economy. He joins others from across the world in the #WalktheWalk campaign aimed at amplifying the message of the march and the importance of combating climate change.”

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The following letter has been sent to Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe from numerous Virginia-based progressive and environmental groups (see signatories below), inviting him to join with tens of thousands of others in New York City this Sunday for the People’s Climate March. I certainly hope he accepts the invitation!

P.S. Click here if you want to join in encouraging Gov. McAuliffe to join the march!

September 18, 2014

The Honorable Terry McAuliffe

Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia

P.O. Box 1475

Richmond, VA 23218

Dear Governor McAuliffe:

As you are well aware, climate change is a crisis that requires urgent and effective action. Earlier this year, the authoritative National Climate Assessment (NCA) found “unambiguous” evidence that human activities – particularly the burning of coal, oil and natural gas – are causing climate change. And, although it might feel cool and pleasant in Virginia right now, according to data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, last month was the hottest ever recorded worldwide.  Clearly, with the threat of surging seas on the Virginia coast, stronger storms, more intense heat waves, and many other problems, this is an issue we no longer have the luxury of ignoring.

Fortunately, we are starting to see action. In June, as you know, the Environmental Protection Agency issued much-needed draft rules on carbon pollution, rules that will require Virginia and other states to develop compliance plans in coming months. This represents a tremendous economic opportunity for states like Virginia, with its abundant offshore wind resources, and tremendous opportunities for energy efficiency, distributed solar power and cleantech innovation generally. We presume that we are preaching to the converted on this, as your own 2009 gubernatorial campaign’s energy plan laid out a vision for requiring Virginia power companies to generate 25% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025. The fact is, from a business and economic perspective, this is a win-win-win proposition for Virginia and for the country as a whole. As your friend, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, recently argued, “If we come together to make the hard choices, the smart investment in infrastructure, technology and environmental protection, America can be the clean energy superpower for the 21st century.” We couldn’t agree more.

In addition to action by government agencies and politicians, we are also excited to see a powerful grassroots movement pushing for immediate action to combat global warming. A superb example of this will take place on Sunday, September 21 in New York City, with the largest climate march in history — tens of thousands of people participating in the People’s Climate March. This historic event will include representatives from the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, the Virginia Student Environmental Coalition, the Virginia Tech University Environmental Coalition, the Sierra Club, 350.org, and many others.

Given that you will be in New York this weekend, we invite you to join us at the march. You can show true leadership and add your voice as we demand immediate, strong action to combat climate change. As Hillary Clinton explained earlier this month, global warming constitutes “the most consequential, urgent, sweeping collection of challenges we face.”  She’s absolutely right, of course. Now it’s time for action.

Thank you very much.

Best,

350 Loudoun

Alliance for Progressive Values

Chesapeake Climate Action Network

Climate Action Alliance of the Valley

Climate Action Society at the University of Virginia

Coalition for Smarter Growth

eNRG – Energizing Renewable Growth in Holston Valley

Environment Virginia

Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions

James Madison University Earth Club

Organizing for Action VA

Old Dominion University EcoReps

Old Dominion University Social Entrepreneurs Council

Old Dominion Environmental Health and Safety Department

Our Task, Inc.

People’s Climate March Students of the College of William and Mary

Piedmont Environmental Council

Sierra Club Mt Vernon Group

Sierra Club Shenandoah Group

Sierra Club Virginia Chapter

Sierra Club Great Falls Group

Sierra Club York River Group

VCU Environmental Coalition

Virginia Organizing

Virginia Student Environmental Coalition

Wild Virginia

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