President Obama: Please Include the Environment in Your Speech to the CBC!
When President Obama speaks at the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Phoenix Awards Dinner this Saturday, Sept. 19, he will address thousands of the most influential African Americans in our country. He will no doubt raise issues commonly identified as Black interests: crime and the justice system; voting rights and what's at stake in the upcoming elections. But if he also introduces the subjects of climate change and conservation of our clean air, water and parks, it could send shock waves through the Black community.
Lest you think that's hyperbole, consider that the Congressional Black Caucus has among the highest pro-environment voting record of any bloc, according to the League of Conservation Voters' Scorecard. This year, the CBC Legislative Conference has several panels focusing on energy, climate and the Great Outdoors. Yet these members of Congress seldom raise the issue of environment with their constituents back home, deferring to what they consider "more pressing issues" listed above.
