1Planet Supports Executive Directive 11

As longtime residents of Virginia and co-founders of 1Planet, an organization of women activating on climate change, we submit the following comments in support of Executive Directive 11. 

We believe it is imperative that Virginia take this critical first step in limiting and capping carbon pollution from fossil fuel burning power plants and thereby assume a leadership role as the first Southern state to launch a carbon market. 

The threat of climate change is real and already significantly and adversely impacting the public safety (storm surge, flooding, rising sea level), public health (asthma, allergies, lyme's disease, COPD, lung cancer, harmful algal blooms), and the economy (Hampton Roads, agriculture) of some of the state’s most vulnerable communities and ultimately will impact all. As there is a continued push to roll back and repeal federal climate policies, we believe states should enact their own policies to address climate change and stimulate investment in a clean energy market. We hope that Virginia's move to join Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont in making a serious effort to cap carbon emissions will encourage other states to make a similar commitment.

1Planet commends Governor Northam for this important first step in the right direction for a clean Virginia.