Advocates in Colorado Springs demand Congress take federal action on climate
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., (KRDO)- City Councilman Richard Skorman gathered with local climate and public health advocates at Antlers Park in Colorado Springs asking Senator John Hickenlooper and Congress to take immediate action in supporting the Build Back Better Budget and invest in Climate Change.
Advocates for climate change are demanding immediate action to address increasingly frequent extreme weather events affecting Colorado communities. It's part of a $10 million grassroots campaign demanding ambitious investments in clean energy, environmental justice, and climate solutions.
The $3.5 trillion package is part of President Joe Biden's vision to help families and to help combat climate change.
Those in attendance at Antlers Park believe the Build Back Better Budget would specifically invest in the largest sector of carbon solution, transportation.
"The build back better budget should be expanded for electric vehicles and a clean energy grid," said Colorado Transportation Commissioner for Region Nine Lisa Hickey.
Hickey's region covers El Paso, Teller, and Fremont counties, and she believes Congress needs to act now to slow down climate change and support with funds to make this possible.
"We believe that federal investment will stimulate research and development in these areas and help develop new technologies and stimulate our economy that enables every American access to our energy grid and potentially own an electrical vehicle," said Hickey.
Skorman emphasized the fact that Colorado Springs is the 18th largest city in the country geographically and reducing the use of carbon emissions will drastically help with climate change.
"We also love our recreational vehicles and pickup trucks, that is part of our culture here, but if we can power all those vehicles with renewable sources, that is going to be our future here in Colorado Springs and one that we would love to promote as quickly as possible," said Skorman.
The urgency to act now is more important than ever, as the weather is resulting in more severe fires and floods, and air quality sees more dangerous levels.
"These cause lives and hundreds of homes -- Manitou Springs spent weeks digging out from mudslides, following these fires and they would face these changes again if we do not act now to stop climate change," said Hickey.
