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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is proposing a new plan that would deliver a devastating blow to the Koch brothers and the Republicans they own.

In a statement Sen. Sanders said:

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Pope Francis is right. This planet is moving in a suicidal direction unless we effectively combat climate change and transform our energy system away from fossil fuels and toward energy efficiency and sustainable energy,” Sanders said.

The scientists are virtually unanimous that climate change is real, is caused by human activity and is already causing devastating problems in the United States and around the world. And, they tell us, if we do not act boldly the situation will only become much worse in years to come in terms of drought, floods, extreme storms and acidification of the oceans.

The United States must lead the world in working with China, Russia, India and the international community to break our energy dependence on fossil fuel. Sadly, we now have a Republican Party that is more concerned about protecting the profits of Exxon, BP and Shell and the coal industry than protecting the planet. While fossil fuel companies are raking in record profits, climate change ravages our planet and our people – all because the wealthiest industry in the history of our planet has bribed politicians into ignoring science.

The Sanders plan would:

– Cut U.S. carbon pollution by 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050 by putting a tax on carbon pollution, repealing fossil fuel subsidies and making massive investments in energy efficiency and clean, sustainable energy such as wind and solar power.

– Create a Clean-Energy Workforce of 10 million good-paying jobs by creating a 100% clean energy system.

Protect low-income and minority communities, who are hit first and worst by the causes and impacts of climate change, while also protecting existing energy-sector workers as they transition into clean energy and other jobs.

The Koch fortune is based in fossil fuels, which is why the Koch brothers have secretly donated at least $79 million to climate change science denial organizations.

The fossil fuel industry supplies a substantial sum of the dark money that Republicans use to fund their campaigns. A serious plan to combat climate change would not only clean up the environment, but it would also clean part of a dirty and corrupt campaign finance system.

Sen. Sanders’ plan would hit the Kochs in the wallet and strike a blow against the systemic legalized bribery of our post-Citizens United campaign finance system.

Bernie Sanders is proposing a plan that could both save our planet and our democracy.