Grassroots Organizations Launch Campaign to spur Climate Action in Oakland County

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI -- A first-ever climate jobs and justice platform for Oakland County was unveiled Monday night with the support of the Sierra Club in partnership with Clean Water Action, Michigan Interfaith Power and Light, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan Coalition of Human Rights, Southeast Michigan Jobs with Justice and over 100 members of the community.

The Sierra Club’s Andrew Sarpolis said, “For the first time in decades, Oakland County has new leadership. With climate change more urgent than ever, we need a plan that aggressively prioritizes climate, jobs, and justice by setting goals to put us on the path to a safe world.”

The launch event Monday night included a robust discussion with Oakland County residents and speakers from Sierra Club, Sunrise Movement, League of Conservation Voters, Clean Water Action, Transit Riders United, and Oakland County Commissioner Kristen Nelson.

“I’m a Reagan Republican but I’m here because I believe this is a crisis. You might not agree with my politics but we’re all in this together” said one local citizen participant.

Speakers pointed to other examples like Washtenaw County and Traverse City who are already taking leadership on addressing climate change and environmental justice.

“It won't matter that we got the right to vote absentee, if there’s no one there count the ballots. It won't matter if everyone can do same day registration, if no one knows about it,” said Diana Faraj from Michigan LCV 

“Water and climate change are inextricably linked. I think we are often misled into believing that these are separate issues, but they are not. As precipitation and temperatures increase, there are serious consequences for the water cycle and runoff pollution. We cannot have climate justice without clean water,” said Meredith Gillies from Clean Water Action.

Highlights of the proposed Oakland County platform include the creation of a sustainability office and climate resilience plan with a net-zero carbon goal for 2050; expansion of public transit, bike, and electric vehicle infrastructure; programs specifically working to increase low-income access to clean energy and energy efficiency; replacement of lead service lines and other pollution remediation; and a call for the county to advocate for environmental priorities at a state level. The full platform can be found here.  

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI -- A first-ever climate jobs and justice platform for Oakland County was unveiled Monday night with the support of the Sierra Club in partnership with Clean Water Action, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan Coalition of Human Rights, Southeast Michigan Jobs with Justice and over 100 members of the community.

The Sierra Club’s Andrew Sarpolis said, “For the first time in decades, Oakland County has new leadership. With climate change more urgent than ever, we need a plan that aggressively prioritizes climate, jobs, and justice by setting goals to put us on the path to a safe world.”

The launch event Monday night included a robust discussion with Oakland County residents and speakers from Sierra Club, Sunrise Movement, League of Conservation Voters, Clean Water Action, Transit Riders United, and Oakland County Commissioner Kristen Nelson.

“I’m a Reagan Republican but I’m here because I believe this is a crisis. You might not agree with my politics but we’re all in this together” said a local citizen participant.

Speakers pointed to other examples like Washtenaw County and Traverse City who are already taking leadership on addressing climate change and environmental justice.

“It won't matter that we got the right to vote absentee, if there’s no one there count the ballots. It won't matter if everyone can do same day registration, if no one knows about it,” said Diana Faraj from Michigan LCV 

“Water and climate change are inextricably linked. I think we are often misled into believing that these are separate issues, but they are not. As precipitation and temperatures increase, there are serious consequences for the water cycle and runoff pollution. We cannot have climate justice without clean water,” said Meredith Gillies from Clean Water Action.

Highlights of the proposed Oakland County platform include the creation of a sustainability office and climate resilience plan with a net-zero carbon goal for 2050; expansion of public transit, bike, and electric vehicle infrastructure; programs specifically working to increase low-income access to clean energy and energy efficiency; replacement of lead service lines and other pollution remediation; and a call for the county to advocate for environmental priorities at a state level. The full platform can be found here.