For Moms, Making a Better Future Is a Top Priority

Climate change and animal welfare has always been a concern for Sylvia Moss. But when she became a mom, wanting a better future for this world—and for her son—turned “Technicolor.”

“Becoming a mom has made me hyper-sympathetic to the climate change cause. I am literally holding the next generation in my own hands,” she says. And with parenthood comes a lot of responsibility. “Climate change is threatening some of the most precious species in this world. It’s sad to think that my son may live in a world without polar bears or Antarctic penguins . . . possibly even koala bears.”

Global warming is also threatening quality of life closer to home. Moss was diagnosed with asthma after living in Washington State for several decades. Her asthma is allergy induced and though pollution is not the direct cause, air quality can be life threatening for asthma sufferers like her. In fact, Washington State has a higher than average rate of asthma sufferers than the rest of the nation.

“Becoming a mom has made me hyper-sympathetic to the climate change cause. I am literally holding the next generation in my own hands,” she says.

“My allergist explains that Washington has extreme asthma cases in part due to our high pollen counts. We have dry spells and then big bursts of rain, which dumps large amounts of pollen into the air. With climate change we’re seeing longer, more intense dry spells followed by more rain. Extreme weather conditions are making it worse for allergy and asthma sufferers, like me.”

As well as being a mom herself, Moss works at CoolMom, an organization that unites moms and families to take action on climate change through education, lifestyle change and advocacy. CoolMom is a supporter of the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy coalition and Moss is hopeful that organizations like the Alliance will help create a future where air pollution and extreme weather doesn’t plague Washington residents.

“It’s important that the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy isn’t just one environmental group. It’s bringing people together from all communities: business, labor, lower income families, communities of color, and moms like me. We’re all on the same page and focused on finding a solution!”