Enough with the Plastic Already!:
Presidential Plastic Action Plan launched
Biden issues Executive Order Tackling the Climate Crisis
WASHINGTON – 27 January 2021 -- The Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education (COARE), applauds U.S. President Joe Biden for his clear and bold action to address climate change and protect the environment with an executive order that commits to preserving 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.
In his Executive Action announced today, President Biden noted, "The United States and the world face a profound climate crisis." His statement that "[d]omestic action must go hand in hand with United States international leadership, aimed at significantly enhancing global action", further encourages us that the United States will play a more meaningful and supportive role in our international efforts to reduce plastic pollution.
"The last four years have been a feeding frenzy on our public lands and waters, and this moratorium is the right way to start our overdue transition to a more sustainable economy, said Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee. "The Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act creates a blueprint for protecting 30 percent of our ocean by 2030 with a public input process, and we're going to move both of these bills forward in this Congress because as President Biden recognizes, we don't have any more time to waste."
"The last four years have seen a painful prioritization of fossil fuels and petrochemicals, as well as the stripping of protections for national monuments, parks, and other conservation designations, said Christopher Chin, COARE's Executive Director. This executive order is a an encouraging signal that the Biden Administration is taking action to address climate change, will fight to protect our environment, and supports environmental justice."
As a part of the Break Free From Plastic movement, COARE has worked to create and support smart legislation and sound and equitable policy. Through its "Enough with the plastic already!" campaign, COARE seeks to reduce the amount of oceanbound waste by helping people become more aware of how their habits affect the world around them.
About COARE The Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education, Inc. (COARE) is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its purpose is to study our oceans and increase public awareness of the earth's marine environment through educational programs and outreach. COARE seeks to enlighten people, young and old, to the plight of the oceans, to change the way they think and act, and to encourage them to create positive and lasting change. For more information about COARE, visit https://www.coare.org.
Click here to download a copy of the Press Release (134Kb PDF).
What you can do to help
- Learn more and sign on to show your support at www.plasticfreepresident.org ;
- Contact your lawmakers and let them know how important this issue is, and that you would like them support this plan;
- Consider your own impact, and always seek and demand reusable options;
- Support "bag-ban", and straw-reduction bills in your state or city;