Make Pollutants Pay | Lilah Daniels

CCA students are getting ready to fight climate change! On Oct. 24, at the first half of extended lunch, CCA’s Climate Action Club is participating in a strike against climate change. Named “Make Polluters Pay,” this strike is going to be held across 20 schools in San Diego and 50 schools across California. While the majority of the strikes across the country will be walk outs and strikes, CCA’s will be slightly different. CCA’s strike will include a march around campus, several short speeches, and art activities. The event is approved by admin, and it will not involve any missed class time.

So, why are the protests happening? The main goal of the protests is to pressure the government and legislators into taking more affirmative action on pollution and other climate change related issues and to support the legislation Make Polluters Pay. Make Polluters Pay is a piece of legislation that will be voted on in January, and it will require fossil fuel producers to compensate for any damages caused to the environment through the years 1990-2024. The biggest emitters will pay the most money, which could help fund action against climate change and keep massive corporations accountable for environmental damages. The money that these corporations pay will go to the California EPA and be used for funding sustainable jobs and aiding with natural disaster relief efforts. 

The bill Make Polluters Pay has already been passed in the states of New York and Vermont in May and December 2024, respectively. They are also known as “climate superfund” bills and funds have already been directed to communities that need them. The cost of climate change has already been significant, with last year’s disasters reportedly costing $182.7 billion in damages. Most of the financial burden has been placed on the local governments and communities that are forced to repair their areas. However, the companies that are responsible for worsening the situation are not shouldering much of the costs at all. These bills will shift the accountability back to the companies that are causing the continual rise of these costs. 

Taarika Sethee, one of the coordinators of the event and a sophomore at CCA, said that this event is so critical because it “is so important for youth to be involved because the decisions the government is making right now are the ones that shape our futures.” She also stresses that students can have a say in the situation without necessarily having to vote, saying “we might not be able to vote, but that doesn't mean our voices don't have power and should not be heard. Even if the environment isn't your interest, this planet supports all of us and climate change is a threat to all of us.”

If you are passionate about activism, the environment, or you just want to support your fellow students, make sure to check out the Make Polluters Pay event on Oct. 24 during lunch to help make a difference!