Dear Councilors,

We write to you as Worcester-based mothers, grandmothers, caretakers, and citizens urgently concerned about climate change. The latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change terrifies us. The window of opportunity to take meaningful action to mitigate and prepare for the impact of climate change is closing rapidly.

We want to thank those of you who are taking the threat of climate change seriously and taking steps to hold fossil fuel companies accountable. Recent deadly gas explosions in our state make this issue all the more urgent. The public health risks of fossil fuel infrastructure are real and growing.

We hope to open an ongoing dialogue with you about what is possible at the local level and in the short term. We know there are nearly 900 unrepaired gas leaks in our city https://heetma.org/gas-leaks/gas-leak-maps/.  These leaks

a) Kill trees https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/natural-gas-injury

b) Exacerbate asthma http://www.catf.us/resources/publications/files/Gasping_for_Breath.pdf

c)  Help speed us toward climate catastrophe https://www.edf.org/climate/methane-other-important-greenhouse-gas

We call ourselves Tree City USA, and yet we allow Eversource to delay indefinitely repairs to leaking pipelines that kill our trees. We rank 12^th in the nation in asthma rates Asthma rates Worcester and yet we send our kids to schools surrounded by gas leaks, including several on school property.

We are already working throughout the city to raise awareness about the hazards of our city’s gas leaks and to summon the vision, energy, and political will necessary to take on climate change. We write to invite you all to work with us as partners in this effort, on behalf of all of our kids and grandkids. Thank you for your attention.

Kind regards,

Mothers Out Front Worcester