T.E.J.A.S. Joins People’s Climate March Ahead of United Nations Climate Summit
Just released by Moving Forward Network participant t.e.j.a.s. ———————————————————————–
PRESS RELEASE
September 15, 2014
Contact: Bryan Parras
713.303.5811
lucas77@gmail.com
HOUSTON, TX – September 15, 2014 – t.e.j.a.s. will join thousands participating in the People’s Climate March on Sunday, September 21, and the Climate Convergence for People, Planet and Peace over Profit, September 19-21, in advance of the United Nations (UN) Summit on the climate crisis in New York City.
“The same industry credited with Texas’ economic strength will be its demise if we don’t change course right now. The current rate of greenhouse gas emissions is unworkable,” said Bryan Parras, t.e.j.a.s co-founder,
“Texas tops the list in annual CO2 emissions in the nation, emitting 676 million metric tons in 2012. Texas carbon emissions alone are bigger than EPA’s Regions 1,2 and 10 carbon emissions combined.[1] We can no longer deny the facts when it comes to climate change. Texas residents have had a front row seat to climate chaos witnessing severe weather including floods, drought, tropical storms, tornadoes, flooding and rapid sea-level rise. Climate change has also led to ecological devastation and agricultural impacts costing Texas taxpayers millions.[2] UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has been urging governments to support agreements to dramatically reduce global warming pollution and participants of this week’s march want to show support for those agreements in sheer numbers.
T.E.J.A.S. will also join other allies from the Gulf Coast, Tar Sands Bloc members and indigenous allies at the NYC Climate Convergence in a weekend filled with skill-shares, teach-ins, speak-outs and protest demanding an end to fossil fuels and systemic change that puts people, peace and the planet over profit.
“Texas may lead the nation in carbon emissions, but t.e.j.a.s. will lead the march with other frontline communities to bring attention to those first and most impacted,” said Yudith Nieto,an organizer with Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (t.e.j.a.s.)
[1] Emissions estimates are based on energy consumption data from EIA’s State Energy Consumption, Price, and Expenditure Estimates (SEDS) released Spring 2014 (available online at:https://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/states/seds.html).
Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Service is an environmental justice organization that is committed to the promotion of environmental rights in communities of color and low-income populations within the state of Texas.