Weekly Briefing: Fall conference closing keynote announced

Oct. 28, 2026

What if making climate-friendly choices could feel less like a sacrifice and more like a source of joy?

At CCL’s virtual Fall Conference, attendees will hear a closing keynote from Dr. Jiaying Zhao, a leading behavioral scientist exploring questions like this one. Dr. Zhao’s research focuses on how psychology can help address climate change and other pressing social and environmental challenges.

Dr. Zhao is an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia. Her research on climate action, waste reduction, and poverty alleviation has appeared in leading scientific journals, including Science and Nature Climate Change. She is also the author of Leave the Lights On: How Joyful Decisions Can Save Our Species, which explores how behavioral insights can help people make meaningful changes.

In addition to Dr. Zhao’s closing keynote, conference attendees will hear directly from D.C. insiders on legislative updates and work together to take advantage of the final weeks of this Congress. You can expect to-the-minute updates on bills we will have just lobbied on, including BAAJA and FOFA.

The virtual format of CCL’s Fall Conference means attendees can tune in from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re a longtime volunteer or new to CCL, you’ll leave with renewed inspiration and enthusiasm for moving climate solutions forward.

Registration for the virtual Fall Conference is open now. The event will take place via Zoom with an evening reception Dec. 4 and full day of conference programming Dec. 5. Tickets are free, and donations are graciously accepted to support CCL’s work.

We’ll see you Dec. 4-5! 

In other news this week:

• BAAJA media hits: CCL volunteers are generating great media hits in support of BAAJA, with publications in Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Virginia, Washington, and more! This is an ideal time to write a letter-to-the-editor or op-ed in support of the legislation. BAAJA media guidance is available now in our LTE Topics resource and Op-Ed Templates are published on CCL Community. For full guidance and inspiration, be sure to watch CCL’s Fall 2026 Media Training.
   
• CCL is hiring: CCL is searching for a Director of Government Affairs to help build bipartisan relationships on the Hill, work with coalition partners, and more. Qualified candidates will have at least 3 years working in Congress, plus a background in federal climate, energy, or natural resources policy. This is a hybrid role, and candidates must be based in Washington, D.C. Learn more and apply here, or forward the link to someone in your network who may be interested in applying.

Take action this week

If you have a little time: Write your representative in support of BAAJA. If BAAJA passes the Senate in early November, it will go straight to the House. In anticipation, we’re staying ahead of the game and talking to our representatives about the bill now. Support BAAJA’s advance through Congress by sending a message to your representative. Help us reach our expanded goal of 15,000 total messages to the House and the Senate and send a signal of undeniable support to Congress!

If you have more time: Take a deep dive into BAAJA. Last week’s training took a deep dive into the details of the Bipartisan American Affordability & Jobs Act. If you missed it live, watch the recording to explore the nitty gritty details of what's in the bill, how it will impact clean energy and the climate, and examine some of the opposition. If you still have questions, you’re invited to attend an open Q&A discussion next Monday, Nov. 2, at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. 

Upcoming trainings

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.