The Joint Center, in partnership with Ecotrust, recently hosted a launch event to release the groundbreaking report entitled, Cooling the Planet, Clearing the Air: Should Climate Policies Give Extra Credit for Maximizing Short-term Health Benefits? by Professors Manuel Pastor and James Boyce.  The Honorable James E. Clyburn, the Assistant Democratic Leader in the House of Representatives, was guest speaker and discussed the importance of the report before a packed room.

In response to requests, a webinar with the authors will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 12 noon EST/ 9 a.m. PST to share the findings and policy recommendations and take questions from a national audience. This is the first national level study to take a careful look at the potential to reduce harmful air pollution as part of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The report argues that we need to build GHG reduction into energy policy not simply for efficiency reasons – why leave public health benefits lying on the ground? – but also for equity reasons: the facilities that emit GHGs and the associated co-pollutants are disproportionately in low-income communities and communities of color.

Download the entire press release below and register for the webinar here!