Letter to Senator Brown

Dear Senator Sherrod Brown,

Our names are Emily Qian, Grace Zhang, and Julia Petty. We are three rising seniors who go to Hathaway Brown School and Notre Dame Academy, who are very passionate about climate change. Personally, the three of us are very anxious of what the future holds since global warming is going to threaten our generation and future generations the most. We’re writing in hopes that you would be able to make a change on our behalf. 

Climate change is the single biggest threat facing humanity. Not only do the direct impacts of climate change affect us, but it also acts as a threat multiplier, exacerbating other issues our society deals with in the status quo, such as social, economic, racial, and especially health, which we’ve seen with COVID-19. For example, African-Americans are more likely to live in poorer communities that suffer from high rates of asthma, making them more susceptible to COVID-19. Often these health issues are caused by ground level ozone, particle pollution, increased carbon emissions and less than ideal environments. In fact, this issue hits very close to home as 5 of the 20 hardest places to live with asthma, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), are in Ohio. Not only does asthma demonstrate Notre Dame Academy, but we’ve also seen increased flooding and more severe weather, affecting Ohio’s valued farmers’ ability to make a living, and algae blooms in Lake threatening to topple the delicate balance of our ecosystems.

Additionally, climate change poses the greatest threat to marginalized and impoverished populations. Amongst, the injustice and inequality we see in our country, especially now, climate change only adds another level of suffering to their current plight. Solving climate change is crucial to standing in solidarity with these communities and addressing their needs. We sincerely believe that you can help further justice and equality for these communities and establish a new vision for Ohio as a leader in the fight against climate change.

We need new legislation and effective policies, which you can help pass, in regards to climate change. Your constituents care deeply about the threat climate change poses to their lives, but compared to all of our combined individual efforts to make a difference, your support can cause even greater change. Often, it is large corporations that need to be held accountable and we cannot do that without your help. We urge you to act quickly and prevent the irreversible damage that climate change will soon cause.

Sincerely,

Emily Qian, Grace Zhang, and Julia Petty