State Rep. Melissa Shusterman Thursday joined PennEnvironment, Conservation Voters of PA, and other local groups for a “Climate on Tap” event at Crowded Castle Brewing Company in Phoenixville.
Over 50 constituents from the Phoenixville and Tredyffrin areas came out to discuss local climate change impacts, how to promote clean energy solutions, and to call on Pennsylvania and the nation to transition to 100 percent renewable energy as quickly as possible to combat climate change.
“Climate change is already affecting our lives and communities right here in Chester County. Last summer, we experienced one of the hottest summers on record and continue to see more extreme downpours and dangerous storms,” said Emma Fisher, Chester County Organizer with PennEnvironment. “In order to stop the worst impacts of climate change, scientists agree that we need to end our reliance on fossil fuels like oil, coal, and fracked gas, and transition our society to 100 percent clean, renewable energy as soon as possible.”
For the past two years, PennEnvironment has been working with a bipartisan group of state legislators and thousands of Pennsylvanians to advocate for legislation to transition the Commonwealth to 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2050 (HB1425 and SB630). Rep. Shusterman, D-157th, of Schuylkill, was one of the first elected officials to cosponsor this legislation, which now has one hundred bipartisan cosponsors.
“Global Warming is real, it’s happening. As policymakers we need to prioritize climate action to move Pennsylvania towards a sustainable future that focuses on renewable clean energy,” said Shusterman, a first-term Democrat. “I always enjoy engaging with my constituents and environmental groups from around the area to continue this conversation.”
“At this critical moment, we are so lucky to have an environmental champion like Rep. Shusterman fighting each and every day in Harrisburg for the clean energy future and the environmental protections that we all deserve,” said Fisher.
The event attendees, organizations, and elected officials voiced strong support to continue working together to fight climate change and bring about a 100 percent renewable energy future, helping to ensure a safe, livable climate for future generations in Chester County and across Pennsylvania.
"Concerned, engaged citizens like the dozens of local residents who turned out tonight are the backbone to the movement to tackle climate change," Fisher noted. "Mobilizing Pennsylvanians across the state will remind all of our politicians what most of us have known for years: the time for action to solve climate change is now."
Studies show that projects to combat climate change are already gaining traction in Pennsylvania. More Pennsylvanians now work in clean energy jobs than in all fossil fuel sectors combined, and that number continues to climb. Today, Pennsylvania has over 90,000 jobs in the clean energy sector, with 4,611 residents employed in clean energy jobs throughout Chester County.
PennEnvironment is holding events like this throughout the state to educate local residents and elected officials, and to increase activism and engagement in the fight against climate change.