Weekly Briefing: CCL Acts To Preserve Climate Wins In Inflation Reduction Act
April 26, 2023
Last week, Republican leaders in the House announced a proposal to raise the debt ceiling in exchange for repealing the clean energy incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act. In response, CCL issued a statement opposing any effort to roll back these portions of the IRA, and we asked our volunteers to urge their representatives to protect these climate and clean energy measures.
A vote on the proposal is expected in the House this week — maybe as early as this afternoon. You can use CCL's online action tool to call your representative and ask them to protect the climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act.
The climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act put us on track to reduce our carbon pollution 40% by 2030 — within striking distance of the climate goals that science demands. Since the bill was passed in August 2022, 191 new clean energy projects in battery manufacturing and electric car manufacturing have led to over 142,000 jobs in 41 states. Let’s defend this landmark legislation. Call today!
Goal smashed! 620 Earth Month outreach events 
CCL chapters have been pulling out all the stops during Earth Month, arranging a flood of grassroots outreach events across the country. This past Saturday was Earth Day itself, and it was no exception.
We set a national goal of 500 outreach events during the month of April. With five days left, our Action Tracker shows that you have smashed that goal, holding 620 events and counting. Great work, everyone! Thank you for your enthusiastic efforts and tireless spirit for climate advocacy.
Social media posts poured in over the weekend, showing CCLers connecting with their communities at tables full of creative outreach materials. Check out some of the images from the field on CCL's Instagram, and send additional chapter photos to marketing@citizensclimate.org.
SEE & SHARE PICS
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In other news this week: 
• It’s official — the EU has a carbon border tax: Last week, the EU formally approved plans for its carbon border adjustment that will go into effect in October. The New York Times Climate Forward newsletter reports that this law “has reignited conversations about carbon border taxes in other countries,” including here in the United States. CCL has been having those conversations all along, with Republicans and Democrats alike!
• CCL on EcoRight podcast: CCL Conservative Outreach Director Drew Eyerly and Government Affairs Senior Director Jennifer Tyler talk about CCL’s Conservative Climate Leadership Conference on the latest episode of RepublicEn’s EcoRight Speaks podcast.
• Love being a CCLer? Tell the world: GreatNonprofits (a review site like TripAdvisor) is honoring highly reviewed nonprofits with their 2023 Top-Rated Awards. Help us raise visibility for our work by posting a review of your experience as a volunteer. All reviews will be visible to potential donors and volunteers. It’s easy and only takes 3 minutes.
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Take action this week 
If you have a little time: Share CCL’s Earth Day outreach photos. CCL chapters have held an incredible 620 outreach events during Earth Month, with lots happening on Earth Day this past Saturday. Watch and share our Instagram reel showing photos from some of those events out in the field. Then identify your own local chapter and get connected today!
If you have more time: Join us at the June conference. CCL’s June conference and lobby day takes place June 10-13 in Washington, D.C., and registration is still open. The event includes keynote addresses from Dream.Org’s Jameka Hodnett, Tufts University’s Rachel Kyte, and Francis Rooney, former Florida congressman and ambassador to the Holy See. You can also add on a Saturday Seminar to your conference experience, diving deeper into effective communication, diversity, or policy design. We hope to see you there!
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Featured chapter: CCL West Suburbs 
The West Suburbs, Minnesota, chapter of CCL held an exciting event with their member of Congress this month. They supported Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN-03) to host a "Community Conversation on Climate Solutions" on April 15.
The event used a bipartisan, Braver Angels-style approach to bring together 24 participants, split between conservatives and liberals. CCL volunteers Rod Fisher, Tim Conners, Alix Dvorak, Greg Jason, and Mike Overend (pictured above left to right) led three breakout sessions on various climate solutions using the En-ROADS policy simulator, and Bruce Morlan (second from left) acted as the conservative counterpart to Rep. Phillips. The event was covered by the local news.
In the invitation to the event, Rep. Phillips wrote, "By now you probably know that I'm an optimist. It's not always easy when it comes to climate change, but inaction is irresponsible and destructive. That's why conversations like these are so important."
"A number of CCL volunteers discussed the concept with the office, organized by the liaison Winnie Lindstam, and turned the concept into reality," writes chapter member Greg Jason. "This type of discussion was only possible due to years of positive meetings and interactions with Rep. Phillips and his staff to build trust."
Are you connected with CCL in your community? Find your chapter and reach out to get involved!
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Upcoming Trainings 
4/27: Big Tent Climate Talks with American Forests - Our April Big Tent Climate Talk will feature Joel Pannell, Vice President of Urban Forests Policy at American Forests, in conversation with Kyle Kammien, CCL Senior Business Relations Representative. Join us!
5/4: Farm Bill Basics - Tune in for a high level overview of the five-year cycle behind the Farm Bill, including the roles the House and Senate Committee play in the process and the climate provisions within this year's discussion. Join us!
Need training on the basics? Catch our next session of Core Volunteer Training, made for newer volunteers:
5/2: Lobbying Basics: Planning and Practicing Your Meeting - Join Kesten Bozinovic, CCL's Legislative & Constituent Engagement Manager, and Tamara Staton, CCL's Education & Resilience Coordinator, to learn what an actual meeting with your member of Congress looks like and how to prepare. RSVP here.
To see other topics and past trainings, visit the Training Topics page of CCL Community.
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