We fought hard, and won big. Now we must press our advantage
Dear Friend,
In January 2016 I founded Environmental Progress with the immodest goal of lifting everyone out of poverty while reversing humankind’s negative impact on the environment.
First on our list of priorities was preventing the closure of nuclear plants around the world.
It was hard work, especially in the beginning. I went everywhere nuclear plants were at risk of closure, generating headlines, controversy and — over time — some big victories.
Last year we won in Illinois and New York — this year we won in France, Connecticut and South Korea.
It’s never easy to calculate the value of a charitable contribution, but here are some rough numbers:
- EP’s work saving nuclear in Illinois, New York, Connecticut, France and South Korea will reduce carbon pollution the equivalent of keeping 22 million cars off the road by 2025
- The work of saving nuclear by Environmental Progress will prevent $25 billion in economic damages from climate change damage by 2025, based on the US EPA's social cost of carbon.
- If EP were to take just 10 percent of the credit for those victories, every dollar donated to EP resulted in a nearly 2,000-fold impact.
Not bad for a couple years’ work!
And look how much the situation has changed in other ways:
It’s no longer possible to deny nuclear’s climate benefits. When Greenpeace’s Executive Director did so in South Korea, we forced her to back down;
EP has exposed the flagrant alliance between anti-nuclear groups and natural gas-renewable energy interests around the world;
And EP is increasingly being joined by other pro-nuclear forces in advocating to keep nuclear plants operating.
On Monday, I testified before the New Jersey Senate. Where EP was all alone in Illinois in 2016, in Connecticut and in New Jersey EP is being joined by other pro-nuclear groups including Generation Atomic, Environmental Hope and Justice, Clean Air Task Force, Third Way, and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.
EP President Michael Shellenberger testifying before New Jersey Senate
EP President Shellenberger with Environmental Hope and Justice Founder Norris McDonald
Ryan Fitzpatrick of Third Way, Armond Cohen of Clean Air Task Force, and EP President Shellenberger
We still have a steep road in front of us. Nuclear remains badly misunderstood, and underappreciated. And we remain the underdog.
But our strategy is clearly paying off — and more than anyone thought possible.
I hope you will consider an end-of-the-year donation so we can take EP to the next level.
The IRS recently awarded us nonprofit status, so every donation you make is tax deductible.
With your help we will achieve our shared dream of nature and prosperity for all.
Michael
