Weekly Briefing: Citizens' Climate International Brings Ambitious Agenda To COP28
November 29, 2023
Against the backdrop of 2023 shaping up to be the hottest year on record, a lot is riding on the United Nations Climate Change Conference — COP28 — opening in Dubai this week. Citizens' Climate International is there with an ambitious agenda to help get the world on track to reduce planet-warming pollution.
"National climate plans must be upgraded to be economy-wide, include all global heating pollution, and accelerate timelines to zero emissions, to align with the right to a livable future," said CCI Executive Director Joe Robertson (pictured above). "To support this, we are focusing on Action for Climate Empowerment (climate civics), Capital to Communities, and climate-resilient trade, food systems transformation, and non-market multilateral cooperation to pull them all together."
Regarding food systems transformation, CCI is co-hosting a side event at COP28 — Cooperative Financing for Healthy, Climate-Resilient and Inclusive Food Systems — which features the launch of the Good Food Finance Facility. The Facility will serve as both a coordinating mechanism and a mechanism for delivery of finance to develop healthy, sustainable food systems.
CCI is also hosting the People's Pavilion, an online platform where people can follow what’s happening and engage in conversations about a multitude of issues that COP28 seeks to resolve.
Learn more about CCI's agenda this week and explore Citizens' Climate's other international efforts by visiting the CCI website.
In other news this week
• CCLer featured by BBC: CCL volunteer Sarah Ott was recently featured on the BBC's annual list of 100 inspiring and influential women around the world. Her profile showcases a thoughtful, compassionate journey from climate denial to advocacy. Learn more about Sarah in this video from CCL.
• Podcast explores healthy forests: The latest episode of Citizens' Climate Radio welcomes six guests to discuss the role forests play in addressing the causes and impacts of climate change.
• Open positions: Our job listings for Senior Development Officer and Development Coordinator are still open for applications! Please apply or share with others who might want to.
Giving Tuesday goal met! Next goal...
We are thrilled to report that we exceeded our Giving Tuesday milestone goal of $300,000 yesterday, bringing in a total of $332,236! This means we were able to unlock the $125,000 bonus gift! Thank you so much to everyone who pitched in and made this possible.
But, we’re not ready for champagne and streamers quite yet… We still need to raise a total of $1.25 million by December 31st. These funds will allow us to recruit, train, support, and mobilize even more volunteers to effectively engage Congress and move the needle on climate policy. This year is set to be the hottest year on record and we cannot afford to stop the momentum now. To protect ourselves and future generations, we’ve got to move to safe, healthy and clean energy as quickly as possible.
If you haven’t had the chance to give yet or if you are in the position to give again, please consider making a year-end donation today!
Make A Year-End Donation Today
Take action this week
If you have a little time: Share this X conversation with Dream.org. CCL isn't the only organization pushing for more clean energy transmission and other positive permitting reforms! Our friends at Dream.org are, too. This morning, CCL had a social media conversation with Dream.org about the these topics and the BIG WIRES Act. Check out the conversation and like or share it.
If you have more time: Plan to hold a Snowman Protest. It's nearly December, so there might be snow in your forecast over the next weeks and months. Consider holding a snowman protest with your local chapter or with your family and friends. It's a really fun way to help build support for a price on carbon. Our how-to guide has everything you'll need to pull off a memorable, successful event. Start planning now, so that when the snow hits, you'll be ready!
Featured chapter: CCL Twinsburg
CCL Twinsburg covers a swath of suburban and somewhat rural northeast Ohio, with about six to 20 involved volunteers, says chapter leader Steve Bagstad. The chapter is getting creative about how to bring their members together.
One way is through a virtual “Action Wednesday” meeting they hold every Wednesday night. “This helps us stay in regular contact and is intentionally limited to about 15 minutes so it’s easy to come on, share or take action, and then get on with the evening,” Steve says. They choose actions based on the “If you have a little time” suggestions in this very newsletter from CCL national, as well as any short actions members may suggest themselves.
CCL Twinsburg also tables regularly at local outdoor events, holds social events like potlucks, and is testing out local evening meetups to keep people better connected in between official meetings.
Most recently, the chapter came together for lobby meetings this month. Four Twinsburg and three Akron-Canton volunteers participated in a joint meeting with a staffer for freshman Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-OH-13). Another group also held a meeting with Rep. David Joyce (R-OH-14).
Keep up the great work, CCL Twinsburg!
CCL has nearly 400 chapters across the country. Find your local chapter today and get plugged in.
Upcoming trainings
11/30: Examples of State and Local Implementation of Inflation Reduction Act Climate Funds - Join Nick Burger, Deputy Director of Energy Administration in D.C.'s Department of Energy and Environment, for an overview of how state-level entities are applying for grants related to the Inflation Reduction Act and how CCL volunteers can be most effective in helping provide public support and momentum. Join us!
12/7: End of Year Media Opportunities - Join CCL Communications staff for a review of important end of the year media opportunities, including topics for letters to the editor and updated op-ed templates. Join us!
Need training on the basics? Catch our next session of Core Volunteer Training, made for newer volunteers:
12/5: Social Media Basics - This training will enhance your use of social media, including plenty of time for Q&A and small group breakout discussions with other new volunteers. Join us!
To see other topics and past trainings, visit the Training Topics page of CCL Community.
Nerd Corner Chart of the Week
Climate pollution change from 2022 to 2023
Join the discussion about how global climate pollution has changed over the past year.
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