CCL Newsletter: IPCC Report Shows Urgency To Price Carbon
August 18, 2021
In the midst of our campaign to get Congress to include carbon pricing in legislation that will be taken up this fall, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change last week released its latest assessment on the state of our climate. The report confirmed what this year’s climate-related disasters have made obvious: We’ve run out of time, and the urgency for meaningful action couldn’t be greater.
The good news in the report is that we still have time to prevent the worst consequences, provided we move quickly to reduce the carbon emissions that are making our world hotter. In a Time magazine essay, CCL Advisory Board member Dr. Katharine Hayhoe addressed the despair and hopelessness that may accompany reading the latest IPCC report and what we can do about it:
“In a world that seems increasingly out of control, we are desperate for hope... Real hope offers a chance of a more vibrant future; a glimpse, however distant, of something better than what we have today, not worse. Where can we find such hope? We find it in action... We don’t need to have hope to begin to act. Instead, action engenders hope.”
Action, as we say, is the antidote to despair. Take a few minutes to email and call your representative and ask them to support a price on carbon. Then ask friends and family to join you in taking action.
Email & Call Your Rep
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In other news this week: 
Hope for climate activists: Feeling stressed and despondent over the state of our climate, especially in light of the latest IPCC report? CCL has scheduled workshops this month and next to help our volunteers build resilience in these challenging times. The two-hour workshop is based on the work of Joanna Macy, author of “Active Hope.” Learn more and sign up for one of the sessions.
Action resources in Spanish: Do you have Spanish-speaking friends who might want to participate in our campaign to put a price on carbon? Both our Senate and House online action tools for emailing and calling members of Congress are now available in Spanish. The Senate action is here, and the House action is here. Also, our current op-ed template on the IPCC report is now available in Spanish and can be downloaded here.
Informational session for students: Want to do something about climate change? Tune in to our informational session for students to learn how you can make a difference in creating the political will for legislation to put us on the path to reduce the emissions that are changing our climate. This session will cover CCL’s mission, history, values and legislation we support. It will also offer ways to get involved and take action, presenting opportunities for internships, fellowships, volunteering and training. RSVP for Sept. 16 or Sept. 23.
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Take action this week 
If you have a little time: Retweet our short video of CCL Utah State Coordinator Tom Moyer being interviewed on TV about carbon pricing. Tom’s appearance was part of a media tour that followed the publication of an op-ed in the Deseret News in which 25 Utah Republicans endorsed carbon fee and dividend.
If you have more time: Watch the recording of our August national call with guest speaker Pamela Benson Owens, who talked about constructive listening. Our success as advocates depends on our ability to really listen to the people we talk with, and Pam offers guidance on how to be fully present and attentive.
You can donate your car to CCE
You can now donate your car to support Citizens’ Climate Education! Through our partnership with CARS, a 501c3 charity, your car donation can support our vital work to build political will for a livable world by empowering citizens across the United States. If you’re upgrading for a more fuel efficient vehicle, going carless or electric, or even just clearing out the garage, check it out. CARS also accepts trucks, trailers, boats, RVs, motorcycles, and more.
Donate now by going to CARS’ website or calling 855-500-7433, and our partners at CARS will handle the rest, including picking up your vehicle from any location, no matter its condition and at no cost to you. It takes 5 minutes, provides a tax deduction, and eliminates all the hassle of selling your car.
To learn more, check out The FAQ on the CARS donation page or reach out to our development Team at development@citizensclimate.org.
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Featured Lever This Week 
Lobbying: Clipboarding helps Senate push
Smashing through our goal of emails and calls to Senate offices required reaching beyond our usual circle of CCL volunteers. Bill Barron, CCL’s Mountain West Regional Coordinator, took our campaign directly to the public at parks and farmers’ markets in Flagstaff, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Armed with a clipboard and supported by local CCL volunteers, Bill and his teams approached people, asked if they wanted to take a quick action to fight climate change and then walked them through the action on their smartphones.
Their efforts paid off. Following their work in Flagstaff, the number of people in Arizona who contacted their senators jumped from 227 to 386, nearly completing Arizona’s goal of 400. After their efforts in Albuquerque, the number of people contacting New Mexico’s senators went from 87 to 162. Having an action tool that was smartphone-friendly really helped. “People were game to do it and participate. We just walked them through the process and had them do it right there on their phones,” said Bill, shown above with volunteers in Flagstaff.
Want to try clipboarding in your community? Check out the training on CCL Community.
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Upcoming Trainings 
8/19: Join a “Friends & Family” Phonebanking - Want to help generate calls and emails to House members in support of carbon pricing? This session provides training and encouragement to call family and friends about taking action. Join us!
8/26: Big Tent Climate Talks w/DSM North America - Join our monthly conversation with leaders in the climate community outside of CCL. This month, we talk with Hugh Welsh, President and General Counsel of DSM North America, which specializes in nutrition, health and sustainable living. Join us!
Need training on the basics? Catch our next session of Core Volunteer Training, made for newer volunteers:
8/24: Practicing Effective Lobbying - This session will get you ready to meet with a member of Congress or their staff by telling you how to prepare, what to expect and how to deal with challenging situations when lobbying congressional offices. Learn more and RSVP.
To see other topics and past trainings, visit the Training Topics page of CCL Community.
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This week on the CCL blog: 
Volunteer spotlight: Alan Anderson: A volunteer with CCL since 2014, Alan Anderson helped to start the Northfield, Minnesota, chapter after meeting Paul Thompson and Mindy Ahlers from CCL. He’s given 145 presentations and helped to start the Rotary Climate Action Team at his local Rotary Club, which has now spread to a network of 120 clubs throughout the nation. Read more.
“Green Dogs” caucus supports carbon pricing: An influential but little-known caucus of 71 Democrats in the House of Representatives has come out in support of putting a price on carbon. The “Green Dogs” caucus, as they are known, released a paper saying they would “support incorporation of an equitable and just carbon price that keeps working families whole.” Read more.
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