Photo: Tom Kelly IV
Spring has finally sprung, but it’s not all sunshine and clean air for Philadelphians. In 2015, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranked the city as the number three asthma capital in the United States, beaten only by Richmond and Memphis.
According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, “Philly clinched the third spot due to its worse-than-average air quality and number of annual asthma-related emergency room visits.”
While news like this is disheartening in the face of an administration that seems determined to continue cutting environmental protections, the opportunity to advocate for change still exists, which is why PennEnvironment–a citizen-led advocacy group–is hosting a rally for cleaner air on March 20, 2018, the first day of spring.
PennEnvironment staff and members, State Representatives James Roebuck and Brian Sims, Mom’s Clean Air Force; Clean Air Council; Deep Green Philly; the Office of Councilman Derek Green and concerned Philadelphians and Pennsylvanians will gather at City Hall at noon to “make it clear that Philadelphians deserve clean air and want our environment protected,” according to a press release from PennEnvironment.
Clean air protections are just one of many issues PennEnvironment tackle every day. A list of the issues the organization currently advocates for can be found on their website.
Please note: in the case of inclement weather, the rally will be held in the City Council Caucus Room (Rm 401).
