Air pollution, extreme weather events and other challenges stemming from climate change all endanger our health. As a doctor treating lung diseases, I have already seen how climate change can impact my patients’ health here in Scarborough, and we must act.

This week, a critical step has been taken that will impact how we tackle this threat together. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard arguments in the litigation over the Clean Power Plan, which gives the states flexible, robust tools to reduce carbon emissions, an essential step to combat climate change and air pollution and protect the health of all Americans.

While the plan is argued in the courts, power plants to the south and west of us continue to emit pollutants that pose an immediate risk to my patients in the form of asthma attacks, heart attacks and shorter lives. Here in Maine, our high rate of asthma and elderly population should compel us to act to protect vulnerable Mainers everywhere. The Clean Power Plan is the best way for us to combat the pollution flowing into our state from other parts of the country.

We hope Maine will continue to make strides in carbon pollution cleanup to ensure that all Maine families will see the life-saving health benefits of cleaner air.

Marguerite Pennoyer, M.D.

Scarborough

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