This Thanksgiving many of us will gather with friends and family and think about all we have to be thankful for. This time to reflect couldn’t come at a better time after the mentally exhausting election we just experienced.
I won’t lie. The results of the election will make our work harder in D.C. We should expect a Trump Administration to severely weaken the US EPA, which means newly passed chemical reforms could be delayed or severely weakened. The new administration could block the rights of states to take action on chemicals, and the chemical industry will be fighting tooth and nail for their favorite insiders to be appointed to key positions. The chemical industry will be fighting tooth and nail for their favorite insiders to be appointed to key positions.
But here at Toxic-Free Future, we’re not ones to back down when faced with tough opposition. We’ve squared off against the chemical industry many times and won. We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing and with even more fire in our bellies!
It turns out that the best way to make progress and get results is to double down on what makes us unique. By focusing at the state level, doing our own science, and running strategic campaigns, we know how to get this done – we’ve done it before!
We’ve passed some of the strongest protections for health and the environment and will continue to do this work. We will also focus on campaigns to change the marketplace by working on big retailers who have the market power to require their suppliers to stop using harmful chemicals.
Of course we are going to fiercely watchdog the Trump Administration and hold them accountable. We will fight at every step!
We have to be even more dogged in our work, but the work is the same.
Of course we need you to stay engaged, and your support means more than it ever has. Make sure you sign up to receive our email alerts, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter so that you’re ready to take action when we need it. And, if you’re able, chip in a few dollars to support our work.
We are gearing up for 2017, and with your behind us we expect we can make it a great year!
Here’s to a happy and healthy holiday season to strengthen us for the years ahead.
Laurie Valeriano is Toxic-Free Future’s Executive Director.
Executive Director
Laurie Valeriano is Toxic-Free Future's executive director. Laurie has worked at Toxic-Free Future for over 25 years, working to advance precedent-setting state environmental health policies that protect people and the environment.
