Shelby Parks Earth Day Celebration Features Congressman Steve Cohen
Cohen Co-sponsors Bill to Promote Carbon Neutrality
Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) will participate in the “It’s Hip to be Green” Earth Day at Shelby Farms Park this Sunday, April 22. The event is the first of its kind in Memphis, emphasizing the Earth Day spirit of environmental stewardship. At 4,500 acres, Shelby Park is the largest urban park in the nation. Congressman Cohen stated, “Shelby Parks is one of the jewels of the 9th Congressional District and I’m delighted that so many citizens are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the park.”
The Earth Day celebration will begin with an ecumenical gospel service which will last from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The day long event will continue with live local music on the main stage, providing the soundtrack to a day of environmental celebration, including guided hikes, fun demonstration booths and a chance to watch volunteers from local organizations and companies make improvements to the park. For more information about the event, visit www.sfparkalliance.org or call (901) 767-PARK.
In other environmental news, Congressman Cohen announced today that he has signed on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 823 which authorizes Federal agencies and legislative branch offices to purchase greenhouse gas offsets and renewable energy credits. Currently, individual government agencies are prohibited from investing in clean energies to balance their energy usage that contributes to global warming.
“This bill is a means for the federal government to be more environmentally conscious,” said Congressman Cohen. “It will allow the federal government to encourage the reduction of fossil fuel consumption, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, coal, oil and natural gas supply more than 85% of the energy consumed in America. Most of the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is the result of human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels.
“As we celebrate Earth Day, it is important for us to remember that we are caretakers of our planet,” said Congressman Cohen. “In that role, we should search for ways to leave the world in better shape that we found it.”
Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, Congressman Steve Cohen, 202-225-3265
Susan Sowell, Executive Assistant, Congressman Steve Cohen, 901-544-4131