Where Do We Go From Here? The Future of the Clean (Green) Economy Featuring Gina McCarthy

Where Do We Go From Here? The Future of the Clean (Green) Economy Insights from former EPA Administrator, Gina McCarthy Gina McCarthy, former administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, gave an inspiring and uplifting talk about the future of the clean economy to more than 100 Land Alliance supporters and friends on April 5th at the Explorer’s Club. Despite recent significant changes to the EPA, McCarthy was very positive about the future of clean energy. During her talk, McCarthy emphasized that public health and the environment are inextricably interconnected. Air quality, environmental justice and health equity are all tied to water, land and natural resource protection – and all are part of the climate picture. She discussed the importance of getting the current generation outside to play. “In my generation, we went outside to play and did not come back home until the street lights came on and it was time for dinner.” As a child, she had hula-hoops, rode bicycles, turned over logs and looked at the creatures underneath them. “We got our hands dirty and it was ok.” Today’s kids have Hulu and other electronic distractions and do not play outside. For the future of our climate, we need to get kids outdoors and connect them with nature. “If kids are not connected to the natural world, they will not see the importance in protecting it.” McCarthy believes the current administration’s attempt to “turn back the clock” on environmental protection and clean energy will not succeed in the end and that the U.S. may simply “lose a little time” combating climate change. She added that the U.S. economy and many individual businesses are already committed to the course of clean energy. “The clean energy train has indeed left the station,” she said. McCarthy cited the automotive industry as an example; the leaders of some of the world’s largest automotive suppliers have invested millions of dollars in the development of cleaner vehicles to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Automobiles are designed 11 years in advance and it does not make good business sense to change the design when it will all be changed back in four years. She added that it is not just about climate, it is about clean air and clean water and healthy land. “Republicans and Democrats all want clean water and clean air. Because in the end, that is what it is all about – it is about protecting our kids from pollution and keeping those precious natural resources in the quality and quantity we need to continue to live well. And that’s a value to everyone.” McCarthy thanked the room filled with Land Alliance supporters and friends for their efforts to protect open space, which she stressed is critical to clean water and a healthy environment. “We know what the science says. We know what we need to do to protect our kids and ourselves. Clean air and clean water are core values in this country. It doesn’t really matter that references to climate change have been scrubbed from the EPA’s website; our core values are not going to change. We must be more diligent about making sure that we are speaking out, and we’re doing everything we can to protect our kids. We all can and must make a difference,” said McCarthy. About Gina McCarthy Gina McCarthy – a career public servant in both Democratic and Republican administrations – has been a leading advocate for common sense strategies to protect public health and the environment for more than thirty years. In 2013, President Obama appointed McCarthy as Administrator of the E.P.A after she had served as the agency’s Assistant Administrator in the Office of Air and Radiation. Known as President Obama’s “Green Quarterback”, McCarthy led the E.P.A.’s historic progress in achieving the Obama administration’s public health and environmental protection goals and Climate Action Plan. In 2015, McCarthy signed the Clean Power Plan, which set the first-ever national standards for reducing carbon emissions from existing power plants, underscoring the country’s commitment to domestic climate action and spurring international efforts that helped secure the Paris Climate Agreement. During her tenure, EPA initiatives cut air pollution, protected water resources, reduced greenhouse gases and strengthened chemical safety to better protect more Americans, especially the most vulnerable, from negative health impacts. #gallery-3 { margin: auto; } #gallery-3 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-3 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-3 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ Thank You to Our Supporters Sponsors Steven A. Denning, Robert G. Merrill Carter Bales, Naomi and John Bralower, Jack Foley and Stewart Title Associates Georgia and Don Gogel, Anne and Michael Golden, Stewart Greenfield, Lawrence Linden Bridget and John Macaskill, Avantika and Juno Madan, Edward Nelson, William C. and Joyce C. 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