Why climate protesters dumped red powder on the Constitution - E&E News by POLITICO
Why climate protesters dumped red powder on the Constitution - E&E News by POLITICO
Two climate activists spent Valentine’s Day dumping red powder on the case holding the U.S. Constitution at the National Archives in downtown Washington.
“We are determined to foment a rebellion,” said one protester, who called on President Joe Biden to “please declare a climate emergency,” according to a video that was posted online.
“We all deserve clean air, water, food and a livable climate,” said the other protester, wearing shorts and sandals.
Both activists were covered in red powder. Both spent the rest of the day in police custody.
Related Knowledge Center: Climate economics
Climate change is now a driver of the world’s economy. The impact is profound:
- Catastrophic weather events — hurricanes, floods, droughts, high temperatures — are more frequent and more extreme. The cost can be measured in both the initial damage caused and the longer-term impact on the economy.
- Vulnerable communities are increasing climate-related investments, hardening infrastructure and taking other protective measures.
- Investment in carbon capture and storage technologies is increasingly rapidly.
- Governments are making investments and crafting regulations to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
On top of all of this is the cost of uncertainty. As the Fourth National Climate Assessment, released in 2018 by the U.S. Global Change Research Program, says, “The assumption that current and future climate conditions will resemble the recent past is no longer valid.”