American Lung Association Commends House Select Committee for Prioritizing Health and Equity in Climate Change Report

In response to the report from the U.S House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement:

“The public is experiencing the health impacts of climate change today. As the American Lung Association stated in our annual “State of the Air” report, climate change is driving increases in air pollution that puts the health of millions of people at risk. People of color are at a higher risk of the impacts of pollution and climate change.

“The American Lung Association is encouraged that the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis’s report prioritizes health and equity. The commitment to engaging communities of color, low-income communities, and tribal and indigenous communities, implementing and enforcing robust pollution cleanup policies, and preparing the nation’s health infrastructure are important steps. 

“We look forward to working with Congress on legislation that strengthens the Clean Air Act to reduce pollution, increase clean, non-combustion renewable electricity, electrify transportation and mitigate the harms of climate change. 

“Climate change threatens the health and lives of far too many Americans, and we commend the Committee for recognizing and prioritizing health protection in the report.”
For media interested in speaking with an expert about healthy air, contact the American Lung Association at [email protected] or 312-801-7629.