Weekly Briefing: Channel Your Election Anxiety Into Action
October 23, 2024
Election anxiety is ramping up in the final days of the 2024 race. Are you feeling it? Rest assured that you’re not alone. NPR ran a story this week with the headline: “A divided country agrees: The election is stressing everyone out.”
The piece cites the American Psychological Association’s findings that 80% of Republicans, 79% of Democrats and 73% of Independents consider the future of the nation a “top stressor.”
In CCL, we’ve always loved the quote, "Action is the antidote to despair." Despair, anxiety, cautious optimism — whatever you're feeling, getting into action is a good way to channel your energy into something productive. There are still plenty of opportunities through our Election Engagement Action Team and our friends at the Environmental Voter Project to encourage people to vote.
Another action you can take today is to register for CCL’s Fall Virtual Conference, “Positioning for Progress,” taking place Dec. 6-7. Here’s a peek at our program:
• Conference Opening with Executive Director Rachel Kerestes: Rachel will discuss our path forward in light of the election results, outlining CCL’s priorities and focus heading into 2025.
• Get the Lowdown on Our Legislative Landscape: Our legislative team — Ben Pendergrass, Danny Richter, and Mindy Ahler — will give an in-depth update on our goals for the remainder of this year and what’s on the horizon for the new Congress.
• The Continuing Case for Permitting Reform: An expert panel will discuss the need for clean energy permitting reform and why CCL supports the Energy Permitting Reform Act, a bill that would lead to meaningful emissions reductions and could have a real chance of passage in the lame duck session.
The weekend begins with an Action Team fair and virtual reception on the evening of Friday, Dec. 6, and conference programming takes place on Saturday, Dec. 7.
In other news this week:
- CCL perspective in Politico: In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, CCL Conservative Outreach Director Drew Eyerly spoke with Politico. His message to Republican members of Congress? "Be proactive."
- Carbon pricing in 2025: In case you missed it, Dr. Danny Richter gave a training last week about the opportunities for a carbon price that could emerge in the next Congress. Watch the recording to learn more about what next year’s carbon pricing debate could look like, and what CCL will prioritize in that discussion.
Take action this week
If you have a little time: Make your plan to vote. There are 12 days left before Election Day. Take a few minutes now to look at your schedule and decide exactly when you’re going to head to the polls between now and Nov. 5. Visit cclusa.org/vote for more information. And if you're one of the more than 18 million Americans who has already voted early — nice job! Now, help others make their plan. Encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to vote by forwarding them this email or sending them a quick text.
If you have more time: Share this phone banking video — and then join a phone bank. Check out this new Instagram reel from CCL Fellow Jun Gesteland! He demystifies the process of phone banking and encourages viewers to join our weekly calling sessions with the Environmental Voter Project, which take place every Wednesday evening. Watch and share Jun's video, and join an upcoming phone banking session yourself.
Featured chapter: CCL Orange County Coast
CCL's Orange County Coast chapter is keeping up the drumbeat on home electrification. The chapter hosted a Front Porch Ribbon Cutting on Saturday at the home of chapter co-leader Tom Hazelleaf.
Tom has installed a heat pump water heater, induction cooktop, and heat pump heating and cooling system at his home — and he has enjoyed thousands of dollars of rebates and tax credits for these energy efficient upgrades. Saturday's event celebrated these upgrades with the pomp and circumstance of a ribbon cutting!
The event educated 36 friends and neighbors about energy efficient technology for their homes and the Inflation Reduction Act's financial incentives they can take advantage of. "The energy was amazing," said Craig Preston, another of the chapter's co-leaders. "People asked inquisitive questions for ways to inexpensively and efficiently electrify their homes and cars." Way to go, CCL Orange County Coast!
Want to learn more about how to host a Front Porch Ribbon Cutting of your own? Check out this training or head to CCL Community to chat with this chapter.
Upcoming trainings
10/24: Weather Attribution Science & What We Know About Hurricane Helene - Join CCL's Research Team to learn about the process for connecting climate change with extreme weather events, what it has found — including about recent storms like Hurricane Helene — and how CCL volunteers can communicate its research and findings. Join us!
10/29: Economics of Carbon Fee & Dividend Policies - Join CCL leader and economist Paul Bernstein for a webinar on the key components of carbon fee and dividend policies, including the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. Join us!
To see other topics and past trainings, visit the Training Topics page of CCL Community.
Recent Posts