Weekly Briefing: Historic Climate Case Gets A Big Win — And CCL Volunteers Helped
August 16, 2023
Major climate news alert! On Monday, a judge ruled favorably in a historic climate-focused court case called Held v. Montana.
A little background: Montana’s constitution says its citizens have a right to a “clean and healthful environment.” So, in 2020, 16 young Montanans filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing that “by supporting a fossil fuel-driven energy system, which is contributing to the climate crisis, Montana is violating their constitutional rights.” Our Children’s Trust calls the judge's favorable ruling “a game-changer.”
Two CCL volunteers played an important role when the case went to trial earlier this summer. Dr. Lori Byron and her husband, Dr. Rob Byron, both contributed to the trial, with Lori giving live testimony on the stand about the health impacts of climate change on children.
“Reducing fossil fuel production and use and mitigating climate change now will have immediate benefits to the health of the youth plaintiffs now and for the rest of their lives,” Lori said.
Read the full story of Lori and Rob’s contributions to this trial and what this favorable ruling could mean for climate action moving forward.
In other news this week:
• Anniversary of major climate bill: Today marks one year since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed — a piece of legislation that included major climate provisions. CCL volunteers are publishing op-eds, like this one in Tennessee, celebrating how the law has advanced clean energy in their states. (Has your chapter submitted one of our latest op-ed templates?)
• Our hearts are with Hawaii: Climate change played a role in the devastating fires that swept through Hawaii last week. Our hearts are with everyone affected, and we are thankful our CCL Maui volunteers are safe. Read their brief update, which includes ways to help relief efforts.
• Agenda announced for Inclusion Conference: CCL’s 2023 Inclusion Conference, “Building Community Beyond Barriers,” is happening virtually next month. See the full program and speaker lineup, and plan to join us on Sept. 15 and Sept. 16.
Take action this week
If you have a little time: Share Senators’ social posts. Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), the lead sponsors of the PROVE IT Act, appeared on cable news this summer to promote their bill. Help spread the word about this exciting legislation by sharing Sen. Coons’ post on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or Sen. Cramer’s post on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. (Want to brush up on the PROVE IT Act first? Read this quick overview, just published on the CCL blog.)
If you have more time: Attend a town hall. Look at your representatives’ social media pages and websites to find out if they are hosting town halls during the August recess. If so, plan to attend with an appreciation, a question about local climate impacts, and a desire for or recommended policy solution.
Featured chapter: CCL Central Illinois
CCL Central Illinois, led by Michael Armstrong, Chelsea Peterson, Matt Hartman, and Carol Coleman, is a group of 12 active volunteers spread across central Illinois cities, including people from Bloomington, Springfield, Champaign-Urbana, Monticello, and Peoria.
Despite living far apart, chapter members are intentional about staying in touch and cheering each other on. “Some of our volunteers have made the 50-80 mile journey from Springfield to Champaign, Champaign to Bloomington, Bloomington to Champaign, etc., to support one another or attend events. For example, Mike Armstrong always goes out of his way to meet new members in person and help at the Urbana farmers' market,” Chelsea says. “To me, it demonstrates that although we are all committed to CCL's mission, we're also committed to each other as individuals and creating a positive community. Everything we do is a product of collaboration and teamwork!”
And that teamwork has led to lots of productive climate advocacy. The chapter held successful lobby meetings in June with Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), and Darin LaHood (R-IL-16). They have published letters to the editor in The Pantagraph and The News-Gazette about clean energy incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act. “We have officially published at least one LTE in each large city in our group — Peoria, Champaign, Springfield, and Bloomington,” Chelsea says.
The chapter also does lots of creative grassroots outreach. Most recently, several chapter members marched in the Champaign County 4th of July Parade. “We carried three banners and wore fun 4th of July accessories, including buttons, ribbons, and headbands, alongside some CCL QR codes,” Chelsea says. “We came up with new chants, including, ‘Climate change is not nice — the U.S. needs a carbon price!’ and ‘No more breathing smoke! Climate change is not a joke!’ We received many encouraging cheers along the way.”
Keep up the wonderful work, CCL Central Illinois!
Have you logged your recent activities in the Action Tracker? Tell us what your chapter has been up to lately!
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Upcoming trainings
8/17: Welcoming New Volunteers To Your Chapter - Learn to quickly welcome and engage new recruits so they stay active in CCL chapter efforts. Join us!
8/24: Progress & Prospect for Carbon Pricing Around The World - Join CCL superstar volunteer and economist Jonathan Marshall to learn what is going on in other countries and subnational governments in terms of carbon pricing. Join us!
Need training on the basics? Catch our next session of Core Volunteer Training, made for newer volunteers:
8/22: Grassroots Outreach Basics - This training will highlight the bite-sized best practices of grassroots outreach like tabling and presentations. Join us!
To see other topics and past trainings, visit the Training Topics page of CCL Community.
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