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We must transition to cleaner fuels

U.S. EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan to reduce global warming is taking flak from entrenched dirty industries, who claim we don't need to tackle the largest sources of global warming - massive coal-fired power plants.

But as people know, pollution that comes out of those massive smoke stacks doesn't just hurt the planet. It hurts us all.

An analysis just released by health researchers at Harvard University found cutting power plant global warming pollution and following EPA's plan would save over 2,000 lives in Illinois alone between 2020 and 2030.

Why? Because using less coal power and more clean renewable energy would also cut smog and soot pollution from coal plants that now triggers asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature deaths.

If huge floods, long droughts, extreme heat waves and other catastrophes driven by global warming don't seem pressing enough, then think about the people we could save by cutting carbon pollution and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Doing so nationally would save nine lives every day.

Vanessa Abejuela-Matt

Lindenhurst