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The need to build a social and economic system that is based on sustaining life rather than corporate profits is more urgent now than ever before. The coronavirus pandemic is proving that while we are all being impacted to different degrees our best strategy is to be all in together. Everyone has to be part of the solution, or the health of everyone is threatened.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront the deadly nature of environmental inequalities that disproportionately impact the Black, Brown, Indigenous, Latinx, POC, and marginalized peoples in our communities. We know this is just one of a growing number of traumas we will face as our planet becomes increasingly unlivable. Climate and disease disasters are added to the ongoing crises in housing, health care, education, immigration, human rights and fragile democracy.  These are all fueled by extreme wealth inequality and racial injustice.

Many cities and localities have passed ambitious climate emergency declarations calling for regional collaboration. Now, we need to move as a region to concrete action plans with measurable, direct goals and timelines for action.