Philadelphia City Council is considering a resolution to prioritize climate action and environmental justice in COVID-19 economic recovery efforts. The resolution was introduced by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson during Thursday’s city council meeting. PennFuture campaign manager Lena Smith offered the following statement in support of the resolution:
“This resolution seeks to address the intersecting crises of COVID-19, economic recession, and climate change. PennFuture supports green stimulus and economic recovery measures for Philadelphia that will address the urgency of climate change, create resilient communities, and rebuild our economy with liveable jobs. Black and brown communities have been hit hardest by COVID-19 and by environmental racism. The city must invest in communities impacted by COVID-19 and environmental racism to equitably recover from the economic recession and build resilient and sustainable communities in the face of a changing climate. Green City, Clean Waters is one program the city should continue to invest in to address the intersecting crisis of climate change, economic recession and COVID-19 that expands access to green space and creates good jobs for Philadelphians.”