Statement from Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, founder and CEO of Dayenu
As we emerge from the Passover season celebrating the exodus from Egypt, it is clear that 100 days into President Trump’s term we are wandering ever deeper into the wilderness in addressing the climate crisis at the federal level.
Rather than take charge to address the defining planetary challenge of our time, he has dismantled vital departments and disempowered important agencies that keep our air, water, and food healthy and safe; struck down bedrock environmental findings; and privileged Big Oil and fossil fuel corporations over clean energy.
At every turn, President Trump has rolled back measures that prevented the fossil fuel industry from heedlessly extracting coal, oil, and gas from our lands and water; blocked scientists from research demonstrating the links between fossil fuels and rise in global temperatures, increases in diseases, and disproportionate impact on frontline communities; and done all in his power to decelerate the transition to clean energy solutions that we so desperately need.
Because of President Trump, we are now on track for a dramatically hotter, drier, and more dangerous world. This summer we will, once again, see even more extreme heat, drought, floods, and climate disasters like hurricanes.
But hope is not lost. At the same time that President Trump is fighting to protect fossil fuel corporations, states and localities are leading a clean energy revolution. For example, states are considering and passing legislation to hold corporate polluters accountable for climate devastation (Make Polluters Pay laws), to invest in solar programs, and to impose stricter emissions standards. People all over the country are organizing in their own communities to build their power in this anxious time.
It’s more vital than ever for Americans to demand that all our leaders consider the existential threat of the climate crisis, and take action to build a just and livable future, so that all people can live – l’dor v’dor – from generation to generation.