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Environment Ohio joins Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy, State Representatives Ted Celeste and Tracy Heard and City Councilman Troy Miller in a public forum on climate change and energy issues

Columbus, Ohio - On Sunday, April 19th, Environment Ohio joined the Earth Day 09: Picture This celebration with Green Columbus and the Blue-Green Alliance to host a public forum on climate policy at the state and federal level.

“Earth Day reminds us that our work to save our planet is far from over. From our lakes and rivers to our parks and open space, we must continue our efforts to reduce pollution, increase recycling and make smart decisions in our use of energy. In this decade, we also have the ability to turn our economy around in a way that improves our environment. I will continue to support investments in the green economy and make central Ohio a leader new technologies that make our planet greener,” stated U.S. Representative Mary Jo Kilroy Ohio’s 15th District representing the western half of Franklin County as well as Union and Madison Counties.

Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy was joined by three state representatives from Franklin County to celebrate Earth Day 2009: Ohio State Representative Tracy Heard who also holds a leadership position in the statehouse as the Assistant Majority Floor Leader; State Representative Ted Celeste, who also is the chairman of the Alternative Energy Committee; and Columbus City Councilman Troy Miller.

“Now is the time to rebuild our economy in a sustainable way,” stated Amy Gomberg, Environment Ohio’s Program Director. “Ohio has an unprecedented opportunity to create new jobs, become more energy independent, and reduce our carbon pollution through renewable energy and energy efficiency.  We are glad to join Congresswoman Kilroy and other state leaders to celebrate Earth day, and this opportunity to grow Ohio’s green energy economy.”

The earth day town hall meeting occurred just days after the U.S. EPA’s historic announcement concluding that carbon dioxide and other global warming pollutants, which come mostly from burning fossil fuels, are a threat to public health and welfare.

Two years ago, the Supreme Court ordered the EPA to determine if global warming pollution threatens public health or welfare – a conclusion supported by a worldwide scientific consensus.  On Friday, April 17th, the US EPA took action in response to that decision and set the stage for the EPA to take long-overdue steps to reduce global warming pollution from cars, power plants, and other large pollution sources under the Clean Air Act.

“Reducing global warming pollution to the levels demanded by the science will drive the creation of a clean energy economy, put Ohioans back to work in clean energy jobs, and spare our children and grandchildren and the world they’ll inherit from the ravages of global warming,” said Gomberg. “We hope that Congresswoman Kilroy and our state representatives work to pass policies that will drive the renewable energy industry in Ohio by putting a cap on carbon pollution and ensuring that polluters pay for their pollution,” concluded Gomberg.

Environment Ohio is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.