massachusetts
Global Warming Pollution Fight Goes Local
Massachusetts’ landmark 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act requires climate-changing emissions in the state to be reduced in two stages. By 2020, the mandate is for 25 per-cent below 1990 pollution levels. Progress toward that goal is on track.

making manufacturers take out the trash!

Americans generate a lot of trash — some would say, much more than their “fair share.” Many people feel that each individ-ual should be responsible for reducing their own waste, perhaps along with the local community recycling program.

The primary US law aimed at protecting our health from toxic chemicals is the Toxic Substances Control Act, or TSCA.  TSCA was passed in 1976 and has not been updated since then.

In 1976, Gerald Ford was president, The Washington DC Metro ran its first train, Elvis Presley was still performing, no one had heard of the internet yet and rotary phones were still the norm.  We've come a long way since 1976, but unfortunately, our nation's chemical law has not.

TSCA was a poorly written law when it was passed.  The EPA was not even able to use it to regulate the known carcinogen asbestos in the 1980s.  Even if it had been an effective law then, it would need updating. We have learned so much about toxic chemicals and our use of them has changed so much since 1976.

Enter the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011.  In April, Senators Frank Lautenberg, Barbara Boxer, Amy Klobuchar, Charles Schumer and others introduced the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 to upgrade America's outdated system for managing chemical safety and to protect families from toxic chemicals linked to serious health problems.

In August, moms and kids dressed as superheros and paid visits to the Boston offices of Massachusetts Senators Scott Brown and John Kerry to ask them to be heroes and co-sponsor the Safe Chemicals Act. Watch the video of their day of action to see some young superheros with a powerful message: