Clean Air Act Event, Stark State College, Ohio
Joan Picone gives a presentation on the history of the Clean Air Act at Stark State College, Ohio

Why would Congress seek to weaken the Clean Air Act?  Do Members of Congress really believe we have too much clean air?  These were some of the questions asked by concerned citizens last night at the National Wildlife Federation’s Clean Air Act forums in Michigan and Ohio.

Wildlife enthusiasts, public health advocates, small businesses, and community members all gathered to learn about the successful 40 year track record of the Clean Air Act and how they can take action to protect it from attacks in Congress.

Public health experts at the Ohio event discussed the critical role the Clean Air Act plays in protecting communities from air pollution:

“There is a definite correlation between air pollution and serious health problems,” said Dr. William Cutshall of Stark State College Respiratory Care Program.  “Not to mention that the health care costs of air pollution total roughly $50 billion each year in this nation.”

While in Michigan, anglers discussed the importance of the Clean Air Act in reducing mercury contamination in fish:

“The outdoor reaction industry plays such a vital role in Michigan.  Not only in terms of the dollars tourism brings into the state, but also in terms of protecting our hunting and fishing legacy,” commented Dayle Harrison, President of Kalamazoo River Protection Association and lifelong Michigan angler.

In this video, Rob Sisson – President of Republicans for Environmental Protection – welcomes the audience in Kalamazoo, Michigan and explains the important role of the Clean Air Act:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6mteCOFblY[/youtube]

The audience left both events reinvigorated to write letters to the editor, make phone calls, and share the new information with friends and family.

You can help too!  Take action to help protect wildlife and keep the Clean Air Act working for years to come.