Key Issues
We do our work through the intersectional lens of environmental, racial, and social justice.
CPRS provides information to legislators, policy makers, and the general public.
Nuclear weapon abolition is our goal which is why we support the
U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Call your representative and ask them to Co-Sponsor House Resolution 77.
CLIMATE CRISIS
Since fossil fuels are driving the crisis, we support ways to reduce their contribution to the energy mix and oppose new fossil fuel projects. In addition to energy efficiency, we support short and long term plans that build for a robust energy network and green building construction that integrates clean renewable energy sources— primarily wind, solar and geothermal—and makes these available to all, including low and middle income renters. We also work to support the transition to electric vehicles (plus overall reduction of vehicle miles traveled) and to electrifying new and existing buildings.
NUCLEAR WAR PREVENTION
Though the risk of nuclear war ending civilization as we know it has never been greater, few people can face this terrible truth. A nuclear war between Russia and the United States could kill hundreds of millions instantly and lead to the starvation of 5 billion people on this planet because of nuclear winter. These weapons are manmade. Nuclear war is preventable. Nuclear weapon abolition is our goal which is why we support the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. We are part of a movement, known as Back from the Brink that is growing across the country. It calls for the United States to pursue a verifiable agreement among nuclear armed states to eliminate their nuclear weapons and to end domestic policies and expenditures that keep us too close to the brink of nuclear war.
NUCLEAR ENERGY
This should not be part of our long-term energy mix because it increases the risk of the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Further, there is no safe place to store the radioactive waste, it takes centuries to decay, and it’s too expensive to build new plants. Current nuclear plants are aging and more prone to accidents. Whether from war, natural event, or malfunction, the prolonged loss of cooling may have catastrophic consequences not seen with renewable energy. Finally, from mining uranium to storing radioactive waste, low income, indigenous, and other minority communities are and have been disproportionately exposed.
ENERGY POLICY ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE
Whether from emissions or waste disposal or both, low income and minority communities have borne the brunt of pollution from toxics, fossil fuels, and nuclear power. But ultimately, we are all impacted.
SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND HEALTH EQUITY
encompass addressing racial and class disparities in housing, education, transportation, employment, and health. For food and farm workers this includes heat and pesticide exposure, poor housing, and lack of legal protections. Historic redlining, urban heat islands, and residential proximity to major traffic arteries and pollution-emitting industrial complexes and waste disposal sites continue to disproportionately impact low income, minority, and resource limited communities. We support policy that is built on equity and redresses previous harms.
