Weekly Briefing: In A New Political Landscape, We Will Protect Our Climate Progress
November 6, 2024
After a busy election season, the people have spoken and the votes are largely tallied: Former President Trump has won the presidential election. Republicans won a majority in the Senate, and though many House races are still being called, it looks like Republicans may keep a slim majority in that chamber of Congress.
Here at CCL, we respect the outcome of this free and fair democratic process. We also recognize the unique challenges this political landscape presents for climate action.
We’ve passed policies that will drive down carbon pollution and accelerate the transition to clean energy across the U.S. But now, that progress is at risk. During the campaign, president-elect Donald Trump pledged to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act — a critical climate win that CCL lobbied hard to secure. We will need to protect the progress we’ve made.
But remember: Climate work has always been a long-term commitment. No single election outcome will solve the issue, and no single election outcome will dissolve our commitment to this work.
With that in mind, we still see opportunities for climate action. Bipartisan climate action has happened under Republican administrations and unified Republican control before, and it will happen again. Our long history of working respectfully across the aisle means we have earned a seat at the table with lawmakers in both parties. We are well positioned to make progress on evidence-based climate solutions, even now.
Join us this weekend to send messages to President Biden, to sitting members of Congress, to local media, and more in support of climate action. And plan to attend CCL’s Fall Virtual Conference to prepare for climate progress in this new political landscape.
In other news this week:
- Need to talk? CCL’s Regional Directors are holding office hours this month to help volunteers connect and support each other.
Take action this week
If you have a little time: Take action with us on Saturday. With Election Day behind us, it’s crucial that we raise the call for climate action everywhere we can: to President Biden. To Congress. With our communities. In local media. On Saturday, Nov. 9, our monthly meeting will be a special “action hour” where we will do all of that together. We’ll also hear post-election perspective from CCL’s Executive Director, Rachel Kerestes, and CCL’s VP of Government Affairs, Ben Pendergrass. See you there.
If you have more time: Plan to attend CCL’s Fall Virtual Conference. This year’s Fall Virtual Conference, called “Positioning for Progress,” will take place Dec. 6-7. Take a few minutes this week to sign up for it. This free online conference will get you up to speed on the new legislative landscape we’re facing after the election, preparing you to make an impact in the final weeks of 2024 and in the new Congress beginning next year. Join us.
Featured chapter: CCL Fayetteville
After officially re-launching in February, CCL’s Fayetteville chapter has been a flurry of activity. Co-led by Joanna Person-Michener and Sterling Smith, the chapter’s membership ranges from older community members to local college students from the University of Arkansas.
CCL Fayetteville has tackled everything from tabling events, to letter drop-offs at local congressional offices, to grasstops outreach. Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan has approached the chapter about helping build support for protecting the city’s tree canopy, and he even attended a chapter meeting! Chapter members learned about Fayetteville’s new climate action plan through a presentation from the city’s Resilience and Sustainability Director.
And, in all of these action-packed months, the chapter has prioritized meaningful time together to connect. They went for a hike at a local nature reserve for one of their recent meetings, because for Joanna and Sterling, resilience is the name of the game.
“We’re trying to instill hope for people,” Joanna says. Sterling adds, “When all of us can support each other and just move the needle little by little…we can get there.” Keep crushing it, CCL Fayetteville!
Want to chat with the Fayetteville volunteers? Join the conversation on CCL Community.
Upcoming trainings
11/12: Lobbying Basics: Planning & Practicing Your Meeting - This training specifically addresses how to prepare yourself for a successful meeting with a member of Congress. You will learn about CCL's methodology, research tips, available tools, lobby meeting roles and parts, the value of practice, and the power of listening. Join us!
11/19: Fall Conference & Lobby Day Q&A - Join CCL's National Events Director Alison Kubicsko and CCL's North Wind Regional Director & Liaison Program Coordinator Mindy Ahler for a training to answer all of your questions about CCL's Fall Conference and Lobby Days. Join us!
To see other topics and past trainings, visit the Training Topics page of CCL Community.
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