We have a pollution problem affecting the health of every person in our North Shore communities. Pollution affects health today, making children ill and damaging their lungs and minds, thus impacting their future. It makes elderly people ill and can kill them. Finally, by amplifying global warming, pollution increases future threats to health. Community organization effort focused on health education is a springboard for action.
At Devereux Beach, the dark sky and light rain gradually gave way to clearing and brightness. Reverend Kendra Ford led climate activists in the process of openly admitting their feelings of grief and seeing that mourning for loss because of the destruction unleashed by global warming is painful because of love for their families and the natural world.
Prepared for presentation to the Peabody Board of Health on October 20, 2022
I am Jerry Halberstadt, Coordinator of Clean Power Coalition, the lead for the new initiative I present today. The goal is to focus on the disease and death caused by pollution in Peabody and the North Shore, protect people, and reduce the use of oil and gas, the major source of pollution.
Guest article by Judith Black
Black delivered these remarks at a die-in rally at the Danversport Bridge on September 27, 2022.
At a time when cities throughout the nation are closing their peaker plants and replacing them with battery storage sourced from clean energy, a new peaker plant is being built in Peabody, MA. [Peaker plants provide electric power during times of exceptional "peak" need for electricity.]
Guest article by Monte Pearson
Pearson delivered these remarks at a rally at the Danversport Bridge on September 27, 2022.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, we experienced–mostly–the good side of fossil fuels–electricity, cars, and airplanes. Now in the 21st century, the dark side of fossil fuels is becoming more and more dominant.
How can we stop burning fossil fuels for transportation and electricity, burning that creates pollution? We need community engagement.
If we are to stop pollution, we must inform and empower everyone to identify pollution as a source of their pain. I announce here a coordinated effort to expand our movement for clean air, health, life, and the planet that will focus on broad community engagement and empowering local leaders.
Founded by Mayor Peter A. Torigian in 1983, the International Festival was designed to honor and bring together the many diverse ethnic and religious segments of Peabody. Today, the festival demonstrates the strength and vibrancy of the many old and new groups that live and strive for a better life in Peabody.
Our efforts to educate and empower people to deal with pollution, public health concerns, and the climate crisis by shifting from fossil fuels to clean renewables will build on the strength and wisdom of all Peabody residents.
In our North Shore and Cape Ann communities, we face an invisible threat of air pollution that causes disease and premature death while it despoils our environment and contributes to global warming. Every breath brings the potential for disease and death.
Like sailors approaching a hidden danger, we need a lighthouse, a warning system for air pollution so that we can mitigate the harm to ourselves, our natural environment, and the climate and so that we can act together to reduce air pollution by stopping it at the source.
Given the urgency of the climate crisis, how can we manage the electrical system to rapidly reduce dependence on burning fossil fuels? Instead of looking only at the dollar cost of energy, we should also measure greenhouse gas emissions and the increase in disease and death from emissions. Life is worth more than money.
Peabody knows how to bring people together.