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Yes we can! Barack Obama praises Trafford eco charity over anti-pollution campaign

By David Keane

US President Barack Obama has honoured a Trafford eco-charity by writing a letter explaining how he plans to combat climate change.

Trafford Breathe Clean Air Group have received a letter from the leader of the free world thanking the charity for their concern about the environment and how he has already reduced pollution in America.

President Obama assured the group of his determination to take action to preserve and restore America’s land, water and air from pollution.

In his letter Barack Obama said: “We have taken important steps to reduce harmful emissions that contribute to climate change and pollute our water and air.

“For the sake of our children and our future we must do more to combat climate change.

“Today, the United States is on the path to a cleaner and more secure energy future, and the dangerous pollution emissions that threaten our communities have fallen to their lowest level in nearly two decades.

“We will continue to reduce air pollution through clean energy technology, energy efficiency and achievable pollution standards that are reducing toxic pollutants and saving lives.”

After receiving a letter from the Nobel peace prize winner, Breathe Clean Air Group are determined to prevent the Peel Energy waste incinerator and proposed fracking in Manchester.

The Trafford-based group have recently campaigned to stop the proposed incinerator which will be placed next to the M60 motorway.

Breathe Clean Air Group along with Manchester City Council have been campaigning for more than three years to prevent the building of a proposed waste incinerator in Davyhulme.

The group are worried that the motorway already has high levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution – which are already well above the safety limit.

Pete Kilvert, Chairman of the Breathe Clean Air Group, said: “We are very pleased to see that President Obama is taking steps to reduce pollution in his country.

“I only wish that Prime Minister David Cameron would also recognise the dangers of air pollution and take positive steps to protect the UK’s communities and our children.”

President Obama went on to say: “We all share the responsibility to protect the air we breathe, the water we drink and the land that supports and sustains us.”

Picture courtesy of Penn State via Flickr, with thanks.

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