Supporter –
Two weeks ago a train carrying 20 cars of hazardous material derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The accident sent toxic chemicals into the air and over the ground of this small town—chemicals used in making paint, adhesives, and PVC pipes. Chemicals that can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and irritation to the nose, throat and lungs—or which can be linked to liver damage and cancer.1
The East Palestine community—like so many other communities across the country—was undeserving and unprepared for this petrochemical and plastics disaster. They have a right—just like every American regardless of zip code, income, or race—to live safely in their communities without the risk of toxic chemicals irreparably polluting their air, their water, and their ground.
Supporter, Sierra Club Ohio is dedicated to protecting those rights. We have a plan to help East Palestine recover, and to secure protections against future disasters for all vulnerable communities. But we desperately need your support to accomplish this vital work:
Make an emergency gift to support the Sierra Club's efforts in Ohio. Your gift will provide resources to help our disaster response, ensure long-term recovery and protection, and secure environmental justice.
People have been told they can go back to their homes and they should only drink bottled water. Officials have said there is little danger—but residents are worried, trustworthy information is hard to come by, and we have no idea what the long-term impacts of this disaster will be.
We're committed to protecting East Palestine—and communities across the country—from future disasters. Organizers are canvassing shelters and meeting with residents to assess their needs. We are working to secure funding for rigorous analysis–we need independent groups to measure the toxicity in the air, water, and soil. And we will push the state legislature to enact strong regulations about how toxics are transported by train.
And we're not just responding to this disaster. From protecting our last remaining wild places and wildlife, to protecting our communities against the effects of climate change, to fighting for environmental justice, we are working to build a better future for all.
Your emergency gift will support the Sierra Club's efforts in Ohio to help the community recover—as well as all of its efforts to protect wild places, secure environmental justice, and build a safer and sustainable future.
East Palestine is at the center of several overlapping environmental justice crises happening at the same time, most of them caused by the petrochemical industry. It's just one of the communities you will support when you make an emergency gift. I hope you'll consider helping us today.
With gratitude,
Ericka Copeland
Ohio Chapter Director
Sierra Club
P.S. – We're working hard to help people affected by this toxic spill and build a safer future for all. Make your emergency gift to help respond today.
1 https://www.npr.org/2023/02/16/1157333630/east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment | 