At this point in the election cycle, it’s pretty easy to lose sight of what’s at stake when we head to the polls to vote. Things have gotten ugly and out of hand and there’s so much hatred and animosity. These days it’s hard to imagine a “United States of America” since division and divisiveness are working against us. With November 8th being the official day to vote, we all have a responsibility to ensure that this horrible cycle stops now.
For many of us, Election Day is already here. We have an incredible opportunity in many states to show up at the polls early to vote. Although yesterday was a crazy day, I found some time in the early evening to cast my ballot because so much is at stake.
We haven’t heard much by way of agreement in the months leading up to the election, but there are a few things I think we can ALL agree on: harmful pollution, climate change, and toxic chemicals are putting our families at risk. And these issues are impacting all children, regardless of their family’s political affiliation.
If we care about our children it's time to get out and vote! #CleanAirMomsVote [1]Click To Tweet [1]As parents, we care about our children and grandchildren and will do anything to protect them. We know that harmful pollution is making our children sick and increasing the threat of climate change. We also know that toxic chemicals don’t belong in any products sold to our families. There’s so much more work needed to ensure that our children are safe.
I made a career switch [2] and now work to protect our children by giving them a voice. I’ve asked Procter & Gamble [3] to remove a cancer-causing chemical from their Tide Free & Gentle laundry detergent [4], I’ve marched in Washington DC [5] to ask our Senators to vote for safer products on the shelves in our stores and I started a petition [6] asking Disney to take toxic chemicals out of their princess and Spiderman lunch boxes [7] marketed to children. I work hard to improve transparency when it comes to food, GMOs [8], personal care products, and makeup.
By electing candidates who care about these issues we can give all children a voice and a fighting chance. Here’s why it’s important to vote:
- CLEAN AIR. Air pollution from fossil fuels leads to bad air quality in too many communities. Increases in smog can trigger asthma attacks and exacerbate other chronic health problems. Do not let your child’s health be voted away to protect polluters’ profits. Instead, VOTE to protect little lungs from toxic air pollution.
- CLIMATE CHANGE. The same harmful pollution that is making our children sick is causing rising temperatures and extreme weather events. Our changing climate is making smog worse. It increases respiratory health threats, particularly for people with allergies and asthma. Also, intense heat waves exacerbate heart and lung conditions. VOTE for candidates who support proposals to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. And vote to put our country on a clean energy path while protecting American jobs!
- TOXIC CHEMICALS. Dangerous chemicals are found in our daily lives. They often enter our homes and bodies without our realizing it. In fact, these chemicals may not even have been disclosed, identified or studied. Thousands of toxic chemicals found in everyday products are linked to potential reproductive and developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, birth defects, cancer, asthma, headaches and skin irritants. Children are among the most vulnerable to such chemicals.
Please join me in pledging to get out and vote for our children’s health on or before November 8th! [9] Take the time to educate yourself on the candidate’s positions and make the right choice. Your children’s future depends on it.
P.S. If you liked this post you might enjoy our FREE Groovy Green Livin Newsletter [10]. Receive new posts and special opportunities delivered right to your inbox! Sign up HERE [10].
This post was produced with support from Clean Air Moms Action. All opinions are, of course, my own.