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CW: This email discusses topics around pregnancy, birth defects, and newborn health. -------------- John — as a mother and grandmother, I want to talk to you about something that hits close to home for me: the effects of oil drilling on pregnancy and newborn health. Recent studies across Texas and California show that pregnant people who live near active oil and gas wells are at a higher risk of giving birth to babies with low birth weights, just as previous studies have found in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley” and beyond. This includes a study that links active oil and gas wells to premature birth and heart defects. People who live close to active wells also faced a higher likelihood of having babies that were small for their gestational age — and the impacts were exacerbated for women living in rural areas. But this issue goes beyond birth weight: Researchers say that babies born of low birth weight are at higher risk for health problems as they get older. Imagine, John. Simply because of where they come into the world, these babies and their families are forced to undergo prolonged and expensive health battles and face developmental hurdles that no tiny human should ever have to. And the worst part? Big Oil couldn’t care less. While state and local governments across the country are starting to take action to protect communities from deadly fossil fuel projects, the oil & gas industry is doing everything they can to stop them. In fact, in California they’ve started running very slick, well-produced ads about why California needs MORE oil and gas. The influence of the fossil fuel industry has polluted our political system and put a halt to crucial legislation that would protect our communities and, most importantly, our children. The Jane Fonda Climate PAC is fighting back. Not only are we pushing back against the environmental recklessness of these greedy corporations, but we are fighting to elect climate champions who will pass meaningful legislation that prioritizes a sustainable future for our children. We are mobilizing to educate voters and to ensure that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard loud and clear. But we cannot do this alone. Your support, whether it’s by sharing this message, making a small donation, volunteering for our endorsed candidates, or anything in between, will help our efforts to protect our communities from the dangers of toxic oil drilling. Let's come together, for our children, for our communities, and for our planet.
Thank you for reading, and as always — thank you for being in this fight. Jane Fonda
Sources: 1. Science Daily |
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