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            <title>Weekly Briefing: New BRIDGE Action Team kicks off this month</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/609</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Aug. 12, 2026


Are you ready to take your climate advocacy skills to the next level? The new BRIDGE Action Team might just be the perfect place for you.

The BRIDGE (Building Relationships in Dialogue, Growth, and Engagement) Program was launched in January 2026 to help CCL volunteers master the relational advocacy skills needed to truly advance climate solutions — by building the kinds of trust, connection, and cross-difference communication that strengthens our work at every level.

Now, we’re rolling out a new BRIDGE Action Team to give volunteers a dedicated place to deepen their knowledge and skills. The Action Team’s vision is clear: To apply the BRIDGE framework to strengthen advocacy, coalition building, chapter health, and democratic engagement throughout CCL. And they’re recruiting!

Interested volunteers and potential new members are invited to join a discussion Monday, August 17 at 6 p.m. ET.  At this meeting, the BRIDGE Action Team will discuss everything from how to select the best meeting time to the activities the team will focus on during its initial months.

Whether you’re already passionate about BRIDGE or simply curious about how these principles can shape the way we advocate and build relationships, there’s a place for you on the Action Team. Join the conversation on August 17 to learn more, share your ideas, and help shape what comes next for BRIDGE at CCL.

RSVP to the BRIDGE Action Team launch

In other news this week:


	Sen. John Curtis on FOFA: In a new article in Deseret News, Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) shared his perspective on the importance of the Fix Our Forests Act and its prospects for passage in Congress. As the lead Senate sponsor on the bill, Sen. Curtis has been working with a bipartisan group of his colleagues — including co-lead Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) — to help get this bill across the finish line. Of course, CCL is playing our own role in helping advance the legislation, with the Fix Our Forests Act serving as one of our Lobby Day asks on Capitol Hill just a few weeks ago.


Take action this week 
If you have a little time: Amplify CCL’s Summer Conference posts on social media. Help build on the momentum from the Summer Conference by amplifying a social media post about our conference and Lobby Day. That helps push our message and our work out to so many more people who might want to get involved or support CCL’s work. Check out this year’s wrap-up posts on Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky, and LinkedIn. (Hundreds of CCLers took this action together during our August meeting on Saturday, which you can watch here if you missed it!)

If you have more time: Connect with your MOC during August recess. Members of Congress (MOCs) are typically back in their districts and states during the month of August. This is the perfect time to reinforce our recent lobbying asks by showing up at local events and asking relevant questions about permitting reform and Forest Service funding. Doing so helps to demonstrate community support for action, which is a key part of moving Congress forward on climate. Check out the August Action Sheet for more tips and ideas on how to make the most of the August recess.

Upcoming trainings &amp; events

8/13: Election Engagement Activities For Your Chapter - For the 2026 election season, the Election Engagement Action Team is focused on helping CCL volunteers take meaningful, nonpartisan action—connecting with candidates, supporting voter turnout, and strengthening grassroots engagement. Join this training to explore key areas where the team supports CCL volunteers and chapters stay engaged in meaningful action. Join us!

8/20: Understanding and Transforming Conflict (BRIDGE Training #8) - Our second-to-last BRIDGE training is coming up! We’ll continue applying our skills in real-world scenarios. Recognize when a conversation shifts into identity-driven “high conflict,” then practice curiosity, looping, and complexity to de-escalate and reopen space for dialogue. Join us!

8/24: August 2026 Inclusion Workshop: Culture, Creativity &amp; Climate: How the Arts Can Drive Environmental Advocacy - Climate change threatens more than our ecosystems; it also threatens the cultural traditions, knowledge, and practices that connect communities and shape our relationship with the environment. At the same time, artists and cultural practitioners are using creative expression as a tool to communicate climate issues, preserve cultural knowledge, build community, and inspire action. Join us to explore the connection between cultural conservation and climate conservation, while highlighting how the arts can serve as a mechanism for environmental advocacy and collective action. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Aug 13, 2026 2:27 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:27:49 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/609</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Election engagement opportunities are underway</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/608</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Aug. 5, 2026


We’re back home from a busy Lobby Day in D.C., and now, it’s August in a midterm election year. You know what that means: Campaign season is ramping up here in the United States. 

At CCL, our election work happens with candidates on both sides of the aisle, allowing us to make a positive impact on the upcoming midterm elections while staying true to our nonpartisan value.

This year, CCL’s Election Engagement Action Team (EEAT) is focused on helping volunteers take meaningful, nonpartisan action in three main areas: 


	Building relationships with candidates, which can lay the groundwork for future congressional relationships on both sides of the aisle. 
	Supporting voter turnout through collaboration with groups like the Environmental Voter Project (EVP), which helps people who already care about climate become consistent voters. 
	Additional election-related outreach, like postcarding to potential voters and hosting “Voter Research Parties” to help folks get informed before heading to the polls. 

Get started by joining us Aug. 13 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT for an election engagement training to dive deeper into opportunities in these three key areas. 

Every conversation, postcard, and phone call makes future climate progress possible. As campaign season heats up, now is the perfect time to find the election engagement opportunities that fit your interests and schedule.

RSVP to the Aug. 13 training

In other news this week:


	Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day 2026: Thank you to every volunteer who joined us in Washington, D.C., this year for another amazing conference! This year, over 750 attendees joined more than 400 lobby meetings on Capitol Hill. Conference highlights are saved on CCL’s Instagram account in posts and story highlights. If you haven’t already, please send your photos of the conference and Lobby Day to marketing@citizensclimate.org. 
	 
	Permitting reform in the news: In our 400+ meetings with Congress, bipartisan permitting reform legislation was a primary ask for both senators and representatives. As if to boost our efforts, permitting reform is also making headlines this week! Check out this Washington post op-ed from Lily Bermel, visiting fellow at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, and this podcast interview with Daniel Palken on Heatmap News. 
	 
	Wildfires in the U.S.: This year’s wildfire season has surpassed its 10-year average for both the number of fires and total acres burned. Right now, more than 99 large fires are burning, with significant damage in the Pacific Northwest happening right now. If you’re in an affected area, tell Congress your concerns! Use our wildfire action tool to ask your representatives to take action. 


Take action this week
If you have a little time: Save the date for CCL’s Virtual Fall Conference. Now that the annual Summer Conference has wrapped up, we’re looking ahead to fall. Save the date for this year’s virtual Fall Conference on Saturday, Dec. 5. We’ll look back at this year’s accomplishments, unpack what the midterm election results mean for climate legislation, and look ahead to what’s next in 2027. Plan to join us on Zoom for a jam-packed day of keynotes, breakouts, and CCL intel you won’t want to miss. 

If you have more time: Attend this Saturday’s Monthly Meeting. Our August meeting, hosted by CCL Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Flannery Winchester, will debrief CCL’s 2026 Summer Conference and Lobby Day. From the impact and impression we made on Capitol Hill, to the insights and inspiration we got during conference programming — this call will catch you up on it all! Plan to join us this Saturday, August 8, starting at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.

Featured: Summer Conference local media
Every year, the Summer Conference provides an excellent opportunity for a local media push. It’s always a great story when local people make such a big effort to travel to D.C. and speak up for their communities and for the climate. 

CCLers have already started to pitch the conference as a story to local news outlets and share their own perspective in the opinion pages. Here are just a few of the media hits we’ve begun to see:

	Citizens' Climate Lobby reshaping environmental politics - Left Hand Valley Courier (Colorado)
	Commentary: Five days without power: Why I’m taking NJ’s extreme weather story to Congress - Morristown Green (New Jersey)
	Letter: Citizens’ Climate Lobby visiting nation’s capital - State Journal (Kentucky)
	Letter to the Editor: As America marks 250 years, local volunteers head to Washington to encourage energy policy - Marshall County Tribune-Courier (Kentucky)

Published media helps spread the word about CCL’s annual Lobby Day, inviting more people into this work and letting members of Congress know there’s support for climate action back home. 

Read guidance about how to write your own LTE or op-ed about lobbying here. CCL also offers a press release template which can be sent out to local media along with a high-res group photo of volunteers on lobby day morning.

Great work to everyone who sent a story pitch, drafted an op-ed, or saw their work published! 

Interested in publishing your first letter to the editor? Or making a story pitch to a local outlet? Join CCL’s Writer’s Circle Action Team for tips and support.

Summer Conference recordings
If you weren’t able to attend CCL’s 2026 Summer Conference and Lobby Day in person or on the livestream, make sure you’ve caught up on a few key moments highlighted in our August Action Sheet:
 
CCL Executive Director Ricky Bradley’s opening remarks - This heartfelt speech reminds us that CCL’s nonpartisan, respectful advocacy may not feel familiar or comfortable to you at first, but you can learn and grow into someone who embodies this work. Watch the recording.

Keynote speech and Q&amp;A with Jigar Shah - Jigar Shah, former Director of the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office and host of the “Energy Empire” and “Open Circuit” podcasts, is one of the most influential voices in clean energy finance and deployment. He shared his perspective on permitting reform and took questions from CCLers. Watch the recording.

Building a BRIDGE to Capitol Hill - In this session, CCL’s VP of Field Operations Brett Cease brought BRIDGE to life to help attendees build skills for lobby meetings and moments of connection. He shared why facts alone rarely change minds and how listening for values helps us communicate more effectively across differences, as well as stories from CCL volunteers and simple tools to stay curious through challenging conversations. Watch the recording.

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Aug 5, 2026 5:51 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:51:04 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/608</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: CCLers lobby Congress  for climate &amp; clean energy</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/607</link>
            <description><![CDATA[

It’s our favorite week of the year  CCL volunteers and staff just wrapped up our 2026 Summer Conference and Lobby Day in D.C., with around 850 CCLers in attendance from all 50 states. At our conference on Monday, we had a busy day of lobby preparations and programming, including hearing from keynote speaker Jigar Shah. Then we held more than 400 meetings with congressional offices on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, focused on bipartisan permitting reform to unlock America's clean energy potential, climate-friendly forestry policy, and funding for the U.S. Forest Service.

The messages we brought in our meetings were reinforced by calls from CCL volunteers and supporters back home, who made 2,247 calls to offices on Monday alone! If you would like to support our asks, it’s still helpful to make a call through the end of this week. Our online tool identifies your Members of Congress based on your address and provides a simple, short script to follow.

Call Congress


Thanks to everyone who called to boost the impact of this year's citizen lobbyists, pictured above at the Library of Congress. (Our usual photo location, the Capitol steps, was inaccessible this year due to Sen. Graham’s funeral.)

You can see more conference and lobby day photos in our "Lobby Day" Instagram highlight, across social media, or in this slideshow. If you were with us in D.C. and haven’t yet posted or sent us your own photos, please do!  Feel free to also share your story with CCL's Press Release templates locally.

We'll be back in your inboxes next week with a full newsletter and additional actions you can take to continue to support climate and clean energy progress.<br /><br />Posted by Brett Cease<br />Jul 30, 2026 3:02 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 22:02:27 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/607</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Wildfire smoke underscores the need for climate action</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/606</link>
            <description><![CDATA[July 22, 2026

Image source: Washington Post

Millions of Americans based in the Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic experienced extremely unhealthy air quality over the past week as smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted across the U.S. 

Eighteen cities issued air quality alerts, including major metropolitan areas like Chicago, Detroit, New York and Philadelphia. An estimated 115 million people were affected by hazardous conditions. 

The impacts of climate change don’t stop at international borders. The wildfire smoke drifted down from Canada, and at the same time, our own firefighters are working to contain more than 70 large fires in the United States. Extreme heat and dry conditions from climate change are creating conditions for continually increasing wildfires and air quality alerts. 

In response to these dangerous conditions, more than 1,000 CCLers used our online action tool to express their concerns and urge their members of Congress to support meaningful climate solutions that can reduce the risks of worsening wildfires and smoke.

That momentum comes at the perfect time. Next week, more than 800 CCL volunteers will gather in Washington, D.C., for our Summer Conference and Lobby Day, where we'll meet directly with more than 350 congressional offices to advocate for bipartisan climate and clean energy policies. 

When headlines remind us what's at stake, our grassroots advocacy reminds Congress that constituents are paying attention and expecting action. If you were one of the millions affected by wildfire smoke in recent days, write your representatives today. 

Write Congress

Take action this week 
If you have a little time: Call Congress on Monday, July 27. Call Congress Day is fast approaching! The day before our annual Lobby Day, you can help strengthen our conversations from wherever you are. This Monday, July 27, we want to generate thousands of phone calls sending one clear message: People nationwide support the policies that CCL is lobbying for. A swell of calls will help underscore our message and make our members of Congress more receptive to our policy asks. Don’t forget to mark your calendar and invite others in your network to save the date as well. 

If you have more time: Tune into the Summer Conference livestream. Even if you can’t make it to D.C. this year, you can still be part of the conference! Livestream ticket holders receive virtual access to all main stage sessions Monday, July 27, including the opening keynote session from Jigar Shah and Carbon Pricing Plenary featuring Marc Hafstead of Resources for the Future. Livestream access is $20 and will take place on Zoom, hosted by Elli Sparks, CCL Sr. Director of Field Operations. Tune in beginning this Monday at 9 a.m. ET/ 6 a.m. PT.

Featured: CCL North Tahoe Youth 
The youth group within the CCL North Tahoe chapter has wrapped up another busy school year full of accomplishments. “Founded in 2020, this group of Truckee High School climate activists meets every week during a lunch period,” shares chapter co-leader Deirdre Henderson in a write-up on CCL Community. 

She details how the youth team lobbied the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District to reduce its fossil fuel use in buildings and transportation, using the CCL skills they learned in lobbying Congress. “They regularly made public comments at school board meetings, urged specific decarbonization actions in a proposed school board resolution, had scores of meetings with school board members and administrators to promote more robust climate action,” and much more, Deirdre shares. 

Their efforts ultimately moved the school board to take several concrete climate actions, adopted at a school board meeting held on Earth Day this year. One board member said, “I am profoundly moved by the youth […] who haven’t given up on us. […] I just want to praise you all for your effort and for continually coming to us and reminding us that we need to change our behavior.”

The youth team also conducted a voter registration drive for students at their high school, organized a “Snowman Protest” in downtown Truckee that garnered media attention, and met virtually with Rep. Kevin Kiley (CA-03).

Incredible work, North Tahoe youth! Keep it up!

Read their full story here.

Upcoming trainings

7/23: Motivational Interviewing: Listening and Motivating for Change (BRIDGE Training #7) - We’ve moved onto Unit 3 of BRIDGE! In this deep-dive training, you’ll learn the core mindset and tools of Motivational Interviewing. We’ll cover how to use OARS and listen for change talk so others discover their own reasons to support climate solutions. Join us!

7/27: CCL Summer Conference Livestream - Even if you can’t make it to D.C. this year, you can still be part of the conference! Livestream ticket holders receive virtual access to all main stage sessions Monday, July 27, including the opening keynote session from Jigar Shah and Carbon Pricing Plenary featuring Marc Hafstead of Resources for the Future. Livestream access is $20 and will take place on Zoom, hosted by Elli Sparks, CCL Sr. Director of Field Operations. Tune in beginning this Monday at 9 a.m. ET/ 6 a.m. PT. Join us!

8/5: Do Nuclear Plants Cause Cancer? Let's Look at the Evidence - August Nuclear Action Team Meeting - Two Harvard studies recently made headlines claiming elevated cancer risk near nuclear plants. If true, that matters enormously for climate policy, so the claim deserves honest scrutiny. Join CCL’s Nuclear Energy Action Team for a special discussion with Deric Tilson, Senior Nuclear Energy Innovation Analyst at The Breakthrough Institute, at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Jul 22, 2026 2:37 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:37:51 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/606</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: CCL joins Dream.org for Capitol Hill meetings</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/605</link>
            <description><![CDATA[July 15, 2026


CCL is well-known for our big annual Lobby Day on Capitol Hill — but did you know we're on Capitol Hill at other times, too? Just this week, 10 CCLers attended a targeted day of advocacy in D.C. in partnership with our friends at Dream.org.

These volunteers came to D.C. from elsewhere on the East Coast, like New Jersey, New York, Florida, and from as far away as California and New Mexico. Guided by CCL's VP of Government Affairs, Jennifer Tyler, they visited 15 congressional offices to build more support for bipartisan clean energy permitting reform. One of the offices they met with was Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), pictured above.

"The focus of this fly-in was to meet with progressive Democrats, who are an important constituency in the permitting discussions in D.C.," Jenn explained. "Our meetings emphasized to these Members that permitting reform is necessary to build and connect lots more clean energy across America, and it can be done in a way that protects people and ensures community input."

We're grateful to everyone who represented CCL and to our partners at Dream.org for joining forces on this important effort. We’re also looking forward to a much larger, CCL-specific push for permitting reform as part of our Summer Conference and Lobby Day at the end of this month.

Follow CCL on Instagram to keep up with all the Capitol Hill updates and photos that will be coming your way soon!

In other news this week:


	Summer Conference livestream: Registration is now open for livestream access to CCL's Summer Conference! Livestream ticket holders receive virtual access to all main stage sessions Monday, July 27, including the opening keynote session from Jigar Shah and Carbon Pricing Plenary featuring Marc Hafstead of Resources for the Future. Livestream access is $20 and will take place on Zoom, hosted by Elli Sparks, CCL Sr. Director of Field Operations.


Take action this week:
If you have a little time: Save the date to call Congress July 27. We’re headed to Capitol Hill to meet in person with lawmakers and their staff on Tuesday, July 28. The day before, you can help strengthen those conversations from wherever you are. On Monday, July 27, we want to generate thousands of phone calls sending one clear message: People nationwide support the policies that CCL is lobbying for. A swell of calls just before lobby day will help emphasize that it’s not just people in our lobby meetings who support climate action. Set a reminder in your calendar, then invite three people in your life you can invite to call Congress, too. 

If you have more time: Watch the July Monthly Meeting. If you weren’t able to make it live, the recording for July’s Monthly Meeting is available now. This month, we heard from CCL Executive Director, Ricky Bradley, who delivered updates about some of our key actions and asks to Congress so far this year, including Forest Service and NCAR funding. We also heard from an excellent panel of featured CCLers about their motivations, their mindset, and more as they head to Capitol Hill this year. Tune in and get excited for the Summer Conference at the end of the month by checking out the recording.

Upcoming trainings &amp; events:

7/16: Summer 2026 Lobby Training #1: Primary &amp; Secondary Asks - Join CCL's Vice President for Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler, Congressional Liaison Program Director Mindy Ahler, and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli for a training that will review the updates and context for CCL's Summer 2026 Primary and Secondary Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their in-person meetings. This is a recommended training for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of CCL’s 2026 Lobby Day. Join us!

7/21: Summer 2026 Lobby Training #2: Lobby Plans and Q&amp;A - This Lobby Day training will review more details and the context for CCL's Summer Primary Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their D.C. meetings. We'll also have time to get your questions answered by CCL's Government Affairs team. This is the second of two recommended trainings for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of CCL’s 2026 Lobby Day. Join us!

7/23: Motivational Interviewing: Listening and Motivating for Change (BRIDGE Training #7) - We’ve moved onto Unit 3 of BRIDGE! In this deep-dive training, you’ll learn the core mindset and tools of Motivational Interviewing. We’ll cover how to use OARS and listen for change talk so others discover their own reasons to support climate solutions. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Jul 16, 2026 10:31 am<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:31:19 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/605</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Relational advocacy in action to honor America’s birthday 🇺🇸</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/604</link>
            <description><![CDATA[July 8, 2026

 
Saturday marked the 250th anniversary of America's independence. “This moment invites us to look beyond the partisan politics of our time and deeply reflect” on “values that span right and left — family, faith, hard work, patriotism,” said Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) in a press release and to local media. To do that reflection, the Senator spent nine days walking 250 miles across Utah — and on July 3, Utah CCLers joined him! 

“Hiking with Sen. Curtis has become an annual tradition and is always more than just a hike. It's an opportunity to build stronger relationships through meaningful conversations outside the walls of a congressional office,” explains CCL Network Director Bill Barron.

“Along the trail, conversations naturally turned to the values he sees that define our state: taking care of one another, maintaining faith in our country, finding the fortitude to stay engaged, and recognizing that happiness often comes through civic duty and service,” Bill shares. 

Sen. Curtis had these types of conversations with folks throughout the state all during his walk. “What I am loving about this 250-mile walk is the chance to meet one-on-one with those who embody the best of Utah,” he said on social media. “I think everybody should walk the state at 3 miles an hour,” he added, speaking to local reporters. “You get a whole different view, and it’s a good view.”

It’s true! When you slow down and spend some real time with someone, you can understand them better and connect more deeply. That’s part of the relational approach we take to our climate work not just in Utah, but nationwide. 

Thanks to every CCLer who puts this approach in action with their Members of Congress. Because this approach — leading with our values and with a real desire to understand and connect — is absolutely vital to start America’s next 250 years off right.

In other news this week:


	CCL letter in Washington Post: Maryland CCLer Lyla Fadali wrote a fantastic letter to the editor of the Washington Post, tying together the Fourth of July holiday and the extreme heat experienced across much of the country last week. "Who wants to be outside on the National Mall or grilling in the backyard with this heat and humidity? The heat is ruining our beloved traditions," she wrote. "For America’s 250th birthday, Congress should give us the gift of renewed climate action." See her full letter in the Washington Post or in the CCL Community Media Relations forum.
	 
	New study emphasizes importance of permitting reform: A new analysis from Lily Bermel at MIT's Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research makes clear that slow permitting is limiting clean energy deployment in the U.S. "Permitting reform is perhaps the single best policy action that can be taken to accelerate the energy transition and power economic growth and opportunity," the analysis states. Good thing we're lobbying for permitting reform on Capitol Hill later this month! Will you join us in D.C.?


Take action this week


	If you have a little time: Lobby Day is the heart and soul of CCL's Summer Conference 💚 In a new video, CCL VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler explains why it’s so important that constituents meet face-to-face with Congress — and why now is a critical time to show up. Check out Jenn's video and share it to your network on Facebook, Instagram, or X.
	
	Then, plan to join us this July 26-28 in D.C. to experience Lobby Day for yourself! Registration closes this Thursday, July 9, at midnight PT. Secure your spot at cclusa.org/summer.
	 
	If you have more time: Plan or attend a summer social with your chapter. In the coming weeks, many CCL chapters around the country will be hosting summer socials. Consider planning or attending one of these events with your local chapter! You’ll have the chance to meet other climate advocates in your area and maybe even hear from local CCLers about their experience at our Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. Get more details in our July Action Sheet, and make sure you’re connected with your local chapter to plug into whatever they’re planning.


Featured: Mountain West media hits

CCL volunteers Alex Amonette, Karen Jackson, and Madeline Dalrymple banded together to write a joint op-ed about permitting reform that has gotten some serious traction across Montana, Utah, and Wyoming — the states where they live, respectively.

“With energy demand soaring and utility prices rising, affordable and reliable energy is a non-negotiable for farms, ranches, small businesses, local economies and hard-working households,” they write in their piece. They identify America’s slow federal permitting process as a major barrier. “The problem isn’t the existence of permits. The problem is obtaining them can take years,” they explain clearly.

Versions of the piece have appeared in Utah’s Deseret News on June 14, Montana’s Billings Gazette on June 21, and in Wyoming’s Laramie Boomerang on June 26. The pieces urge bipartisan cooperation on permitting reform and encourage readers to contact Congress in support. Great work, Alex, Karen and Madeline!

Want to generate more media buzz for climate solutions in your state? Check out our Powering Up Statewide Media training or connect with your Statewide Media Manager.

Upcoming trainings

7/9: Foundations of Celebration: CCL’s Progress in Congress - Passing federal climate legislation is extraordinarily difficult — and understanding that reality helps us better appreciate the impact of effective advocacy. In this training, we’ll explore the complex ecosystem surrounding Congress. Volunteers will leave with a better understanding of why incremental progress matters, why celebrating advocacy wins is essential for sustaining long-term engagement, and how disciplined grassroots organizing can still shape policy outcomes even in a highly polarized political environment. Join us!

7/16: Summer 2026 Lobby Training #1: Primary &amp; Secondary Asks - Join CCL's Vice President for Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler, Congressional Liaison Program Director Mindy Ahler, and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli for a training that will review the updates and context for CCL's Summer 2026 Primary and Secondary Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their in-person meetings. This is a recommended training for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of CCL’s 2026 Lobby Day. Join us!

7/21: Summer 2026 Lobby Training #2: Lobby Plans and Q&amp;A - This Lobby Day training will review more details and the context for CCL's Summer Primary Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their DC meetings. We'll also have time to get your questions answered by CCL's Government Affairs team. This is the second of two recommended trainings for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of CCL’s 2026 Lobby Day. Join us!
To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Flannery Winchester<br />Jul 8, 2026 12:48 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:48:25 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/604</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Be ready for the next chapter in carbon pricing</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/603</link>
            <description><![CDATA[July 1, 2026


For more than a decade, carbon pricing has been at the heart of Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s work. Our reputation as a trusted voice on carbon pricing wasn't built overnight — it came from years of careful research, thoughtful advocacy, and a commitment to understanding the evidence behind effective climate policy.

Now, CCL is partnering with Resources for the Future to launch a brand new, educational carbon pricing learning series. The series will help inform our carbon pricing advocacy moving forward, ensuring that our efforts stay grounded in the best research and data available. 

“As we continue to lead on the politics of carbon pricing policy, we need to fully understand the current landscape of carbon pricing,” says CCL Congressional Liaison Director Mindy Ahler. “Looking at the best research from experts in the field will help us find the most strategic way forward.”

Beginning this September, the series will feature monthly sessions exploring topics including:

	What economists say about carbon pricing
	The potential impact of carbon pricing on energy affordability
	How carbon pricing works in practice, based on real-world data


The series will kick off at CCL’s Summer Conference on July 27 with a plenary discussion featuring Dr. Marc Hafstead, Fellow at Resources for the Future (RFF) and Director of RFF’s Carbon Pricing Initiative. Dr. Hafstead has spent his career researching and evaluating climate and energy policies, with a particular focus on the design and impacts of carbon pricing systems. He will join CCL VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler on the main stage for a conversation exploring what the latest research can teach us about the future of carbon pricing policy. Join us at the conference in D.C. to hear his remarks in person, or plan to tune into the livestream.

This session will serve as an introduction for the full, virtual sessions beginning in September. Each session will help deliver the latest research to keep all CCLers up to date and thinking strategically about how we can make the future of carbon pricing a success. Visit the series page on CCL Community today to sign up to be notified of specific dates, times, and login information for sessions in this series.

Sign up now

In other news this week:


	Clean energy on the rise: Clean energy adoption is still going strong! A new report from Wood Mackenzie and SEIA found that 96% of new power generation capacity added in the U.S. in the first quarter was clean: 60% solar, 31% battery storage, and 5% wind. See the full study and summary in CCL Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli’s latest Nerd Corner Community post. 
	 
	CCLers join Senator for part of 250-mile hike: This week marks America’s 250th anniversary celebration. To commemorate the occasion, Senator John Curtis (R-UT) is on a continuous, 250-mile hike across Utah. Members of CCL Utah, who have a longstanding relationship with Sen. Curtis, will join him on his last day, July 3.


Take action this week
If you have a little time: Talk about the heat wave. The extreme heat in Europe and the U.S. is not normal! The more we talk about it, the more we can help others realize the importance of climate action. Have a conversation in real life, or share CCL’s recent social media post with your own thoughts on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, or Bluesky. Encourage others to write their representatives and continue pushing Congress for effective policies to reduce emissions and protect Americans from dangerous heat. 

If you have more time: Become an advocacy detective. Before we can effectively persuade our members of Congress, we first need to understand them — their district, their pressures, their priorities, the language they use, and the communities they feel accountable to. By becoming an advocacy detective, you can identify authentic connection points to effectively engage with your representatives. Start by completing BRIDGE Unit 2, Section 2, then take a deep dive with BRIDGE Training #5. For extra help, join one of our upcoming coworking sessions July 8 or July 15 where you'll have dedicated time to work on your Advocacy Detective Blueprint alongside fellow volunteers and a CCL staff member.

Upcoming trainings 

7/2: CCL's Climate Advocate Lobby Training Workshop - Building on CCL’s Informational Session, the Climate Advocate Training Workshop will focus on climate communication skills and lobbying. We’ll help you find your role to hit the ground running. You’ll learn how to develop constructive relationships with elected representatives and practice our lobbying methods. Then, join a mock lobby meeting to put your new skills to use. This training is highly recommended for first-time lobbyists or those in need of a refresh ahead of the Summer Conference. Join us!


7/9: Foundations of Celebration: CCL’s Progress in Congress - Passing federal climate legislation is extraordinarily difficult — and understanding that reality helps us better appreciate the impact of effective advocacy. In this training, we’ll explore the complex ecosystem surrounding Congress. Volunteers will leave with a better understanding of why incremental progress matters, why celebrating advocacy wins is essential for sustaining long-term engagement, and how disciplined grassroots organizing can still shape policy outcomes even in a highly polarized political environment. Join us!

7/16: Summer 2026 Lobby Training #1: Primary &amp; Secondary Asks - Join CCL's Vice President for Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler, Congressional Liaison Program Director Mindy Ahler, and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli for a training that will review the updates and context for CCL's Summer 2026 Primary and Secondary Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their in-person meetings. This is a recommended training for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of CCL’s 2026 Lobby Day. Join us!

7/21: Summer 2026 Lobby Training #2: Lobby Plans and Q&amp;A - This Lobby Day training will review more details and the context for CCL's Summer Primary Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their DC meetings. We'll also have time to get your questions answered by CCL's Government Affairs team. This is the second of two recommended trainings for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of CCL’s 2026 Lobby Day. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Jul 1, 2026 5:13 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:13:53 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/603</guid>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title>Weekly Briefing:  Get ready for Lobby Day with CCL’s BRIDGE training</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/602</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Jun. 24, 2026


We’re just a month away from our biggest lobby event of the year on Capitol Hill. On July 28, hundreds of CCLers from across the country will gather on Capitol Hill for a full day of meetings with members of Congress to advocate for clean energy and climate policies. To prepare for this year’s Lobby Day, we’re diving deep into CCL’s BRIDGE Advocacy Training program.

BRIDGE Unit 2 focuses on applying the knowledge from Unit 1 to better understand our Members of Congress. Trainees have learned how to apply Moral Foundations Theory to members of Congress, research their priorities and values, and tailor messaging in ways that resonate with their perspectives.

Unit 2 focuses on one of the most important skills for effective advocacy: understanding your audience. You'll learn how to apply Moral Foundations Theory to members of Congress, research their priorities and values, and tailor your messaging in ways that resonate with their perspectives.

As CCL Vice President of Field Operations Brett Cease explains, “The more we understand where someone is coming from, the more effective we can be at finding common ground and building trust.” That's why Unit 2 lays such an important foundation for successful congressional meetings.

Once you’ve worked your way through Units 1 and 2, you have two upcoming opportunities to strengthen your skills. 

	Join us tomorrow, June 25, for BRIDGE Training #6: Unit 2, Section Three Deep Dive. During this session, you'll practice assessing where your member of Congress stands on a CCL policy and identifying a realistic next-step ask that builds trust and political will over time.
	Then, join an Advocacy Detective Blueprint Co-Working Session. These informal workshops, held every Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT through July 15, offer dedicated time to work on your Member of Congress Common Ground Blueprint alongside fellow volunteers and CCL staff. Whether you're just getting started or refining your research, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside other CCLers in small groups and get real-time guidance.


As Brett reminds us, “Political will is built through relationships. When we understand what motivates a member of Congress, we're better equipped to make meaningful asks that create real progress.”

The best way to prepare for both workshops — and for Lobby Day itself — is to complete Unit 2 of BRIDGE. If you haven't finished it yet, now is the perfect time to catch up. Complete Unit 2 and access all BRIDGE resources on CCL Community.

Take me to BRIDGE!

Take action this week
If you have a little time: Share a conference update from Brett Cease. Unsure what to expect at this year’s Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day? CCL VP of Field Operations Brett Cease has the inside scoop on the day’s program, including his conference-exclusive, afternoon BRIDGE training. Check out Brett’s conference update and share it to your network on Facebook, Instagram, X, or Bluesky. 

If you have more time: Make one last conference push ahead of the registration deadline. We have only two weeks left to get as many citizen lobbyists as possible to Washington, D.C. this July! Work within your chapter and network to coordinate registration, transport, and logistics to help make this our biggest Conference &amp; Lobby Day ever. The more people we can bring to Capitol Hill, the louder our message will be. Make sure everyone is registered before the July 9 deadline to secure their spot and experience what it’s like to be a citizen lobbyist in our nation’s capitol. 

 Featured: The Great School Electrification Challenge
CCL’s National Youth Action Team recently wrapped up the third and final round of The Great School Electrification Challenge.  The Challenge was part of CCL’s effort to promote building electrification through federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. It provided a fun, lightly competitive framework for students to learn advocacy skills, engage in their communities, and move their school districts forward on an infrastructural plan to reduce emissions.

Round 3 winners were Durham (NC) Sustainable Schools Coalition (1st place), Voltage of Issaquah, WA (2nd place) and Fairfax (VA) Solar Schools Campaign (3rd place).  The Durham team was successful in getting the district to commit to a full Climate Action Plan, and the Fairfax team was featured in an Earth Day video at the invitation of their superintendent. 

Over the three years of the Challenge, 35 youth-led teams completed and tracked 614 local advocacy actions. Their efforts mirrored CCL’s 5 levers, and included over 200 lobbying actions, such as meeting with school board members and district administrative staff.

Highlights of the Challenge include: 

	The Electrify Cincinnati (OH) Schools Team worked with the Board of the Cincinnati Public Schools to pass a full “Electrify Everything” Resolution.
	Duluth (MN) Climate Club saw the installation of solar panels on the school district’s administration building after 6 years of student advocacy.
	The Durham (NC) Sustainable Schools Coalition was successful in getting the district to commit to creating a full Climate Action Plan. 
	The Moscow (ID) Solar Bears obtained a commitment from their superintendent to install solar panels in the district. 


The National Youth Action Team congratulates all of the students who participated over the course of the three year project for using their powerful voices as constituents to make change in their communities. Way to go!

The National Youth Action Team finished out the year strong before beginning a well-deserved summer break. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the NYAT, visit the group’s page on CCL Community.

Upcoming trainings &amp; events

6/25: The Scale of Support: Defining the Next Step (BRIDGE Training #6) - We’re still going strong on our deep dive into BRIDGE Unit 2. In this training, we will practice assessing where your Member of Congress stands on one of the policies CCL supports and choosing a realistic next-step ask that strengthens trust and steadily builds political will over time. Join us!

7/2: CCL's Climate Advocate Lobby Training Workshop - Building on CCL’s Informational Session, the Climate Advocate Training Workshop will focus on climate communication skills and lobbying. We’ll help you find your role to hit the ground running. You’ll learn how to develop constructive relationships with elected representatives and practice our lobbying methods. Then, join a mock lobby meeting to put your new skills to use. This training is highly recommended for first-time lobbyists or those in need of a refresh ahead of the Summer Conference. Join us!

7/9: Foundations of Celebration: CCL’s Progress in Congress - Passing federal climate legislation is extraordinarily difficult — and understanding that reality helps us better appreciate the impact of effective advocacy. In this training, we’ll explore the complex ecosystem surrounding Congress. Volunteers will leave with a better understanding of why incremental progress matters, why celebrating advocacy wins is essential for sustaining long-term engagement, and how disciplined grassroots organizing can still shape policy outcomes even in a highly polarized political environment. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Jun 24, 2026 3:21 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 22:21:05 +0100</pubDate>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: June Monthly Meeting highlights: Wildfire resilience, lobbying, and the Fix ...</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/601</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Jun. 17, 2026


Guest speaker Tyson Bertone-Riggs, co-founder and co-director of the Alliance for Wildfire Resilience, graciously joined us for June’s Monthly Meeting last Saturday. Bertone-Riggs brought a wealth of expertise from his work on wildfire policy and emphasized the importance of being on Capitol Hill, in person, to advocate for meaningful legislation.

“When you show up, that alone is a huge message you're sending to Congress,” he said. “It’s easy to get pessimistic about how Congress functions, but really it's extremely human. It's extremely relational. You going in as an authentic representative of the area you're from is really important.”

A key focus of Saturday’s discussion, led by CCL Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli, was the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, legislation that Citizens' Climate Lobby is currently supporting. Bertone-Riggs described the bill as "the first to comprehensively look at wildfire issues both around people’s homes and in the forest” and address the need for mitigation in both areas. He applauded the sheer size of the bill and its dedication to harm reduction, response and research to manage increasingly large wildfires.

One obstacle to wildfire legislation is that some constituents still see wildfires as a “western” problem, only impacting states where wildfires are most prevalent. Bertone-Riggs disputes this myth, pointing out that wildfire smoke from Canada and western states frequently drifts over to the East Coast, fueling air pollution in areas like Washington, D.C. 

Finally, Bertone-Riggs offered an encouraging reminder for climate advocates. "If we are too pessimistic about Congress's ability to act, we have let them off the hook," he said. By continuing to engage lawmakers and build broad support for solutions, volunteers can help hold Congress accountable for making positive changes around wildfire management. As he put it, "the urgency of this issue is so high that inaction is a choice."

If you weren’t able to make it live, be sure to catch the recording and learn more about how CCL volunteers can help support wildfire resilience and the Fix Our Forests Act. Thank you to Tyson Bertone-Riggs for joining us as a guest speaker!

Watch the Recording

In other news this week:


	Permitting reform support across the country…: New polling data from Blue Rose Research found that 60% of Americans support permitting reform. The data also found similar support for fair permitting certainty, including half of Trump voters in favor of limiting executive obstruction of energy infrastructure permits, with a +17% net approval rating. Comb through the data and read the overview from CCL Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli on CCL Community. 
	 
	…and permitting reform progress in D.C.: Heatmap News reports that a new bipartisan permitting bill has hit the Senate. Though not the comprehensive package we are pushing for, this bill is yet another sign of growing bipartisan momentum. In fact, Heatmap’s Robinson Meyer says, “This is the first time I can remember [this] hard-right senator joining a Democrat to put out an energy-related proposal.
	 
	Judge halts NCAR breakup: In January of this year, we sent more than 7,000 messages to Congress asking our representatives to fully fund National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Congress granted these funds even as the Trump administration vowed to break up NCAR. Earlier this month, a federal judge issued an injunction to stop the NCAR breakup. This is great news! While Congress didn't have the capacity to fully stop the breakup of NCAR, the courts could — and did. Get the full story on CCL Community.


Take action this week
If you have a little time: Ask Congress to prevent budget cuts to the U.S. Forest Service. CCL has kept a close eye on proposed changes to the structure and funding of the U.S. Forest Service. Potential funding changes may impede the resources, personnel, and research capacity needed to prepare for and respond to increasingly severe wildfire seasons and to implement key legislation. Ask your members of Congress to prevent budget cuts to the Forest Service as they work on the 2027 appropriations bills. (If you took this action with us during June’s Monthly Meeting, share the link with your network to encourage friends, family and others to contact their legislators, too!)

If you have more time: Prep for Summer Conference media coverage. CCL’s Summer Conference and Lobby Day is a great opportunity to generate local media coverage — but there are lots of steps in between “great opportunity” and actually getting something published. Now is the time to get started by finding the right media contacts, working with your local chapter and laying the groundwork to build a relationship with your media contacts ahead of the conference. Check out this month’s Action Sheet for more information on perfecting your pitch. And for more guidance on getting started working with reporters, be sure to watch our Generating News Coverage training. 

Featured chapter: CCL Greater Detroit
Over this year’s spring recess, CCL Greater Detroit visited local Congressional offices to drop off peace lilies and a poem about permitting reform.

The chapter wanted their leave-behind gift to be environmentally friendly, and specifically tried to think of ideas that would not be discarded or take a long time to break down. “During chapter meetings, we brainstormed a few things but we all liked the idea of dropping off a plant,” said group leader Julie Budde.

The choice of a peace lily was a direct nod to the chapter members “coming in peace” with only good intentions. As an added bonus, peace lilies actually purify the air around them by trapping toxins, making them a clean air plant perfect to represent a group of CCLers.

Chapter volunteer Hailey Hicks noted that a plant would also likely remain in the office as decor, acting as a visual reminder of the group’s ask for permitting reform support.

Hailey wrote the accompanying poem herself. “I started with one line that I felt emphasized a main idea/goal of CCL and then tried to figure out how to craft another line that would rhyme,” she said. “I altered the word choice as I went, swapping out a synonym where needed to make the poem flow.”

Julie was so impressed by the end product, she worried the office would suspect they had used AI. To combat this, the poem was specifically signed by “the humans of the Greater Detroit CCL chapter.”

“I wanted to be clear that we put time and energy and personalization into this, rather than handing it off for a machine to do,” said Julie.

The drop-offs were a great success. In at least one office, a staffer took extra time to speak with a Greater Detroit chapter member. “It was wonderful to have such a positive reception,” said Hailey.

Read the full poem and find more stories of CCL’s spring drop-off successes in this blog.

Upcoming trainings &amp; events

6/18: Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day Q&amp;A - Are you curious about what to expect about CCL's Summer 2026 Conference and Lobby Days or have a question about any final details? Join Alison Kubicsko, National Events Director, and Mindy Ahler, CCL Congressional Liaison Director, for a final walk-through of the schedule, logistics, and details of the event. Join us! 

6/24: Advocacy Detective Blueprint Co-Working Session - Looking to sharpen your advocacy detective skills and complete your Member of Congress Common Ground Blueprint? Join this informal co-working session where you'll have dedicated time to work on your Advocacy Detective Blueprint alongside fellow volunteers and a CCL staff member. Whether you're just getting started or have questions about researching your member of Congress, identifying authentic connection points, or interpreting what you're finding, this is a chance to get real-time guidance, ask questions, and learn from others. Join us!

6/25: The Scale of Support: Defining the Next Step (BRIDGE Training #6) - We’re still going strong on our deep dive into BRIDGE Unit 2. In this training, we will practice assessing where your Member of Congress stands on one of the policies CCL supports and choosing a realistic next-step ask that strengthens trust and steadily builds political will over time. Join us!

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Jun 17, 2026 4:42 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:42:42 +0100</pubDate>
            <guid>community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/601</guid>
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            <title>Weekly Briefing: Marc Hafstead announced as Summer Conference Speaker</title>
            <link>https://community.citizensclimate.org/bulletin/2101/600</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Jun. 10, 2026


We’re excited to announce that Marc Hafstead will join CCL’s 2026 Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day lineup as a featured speaker! 

Marc Hafstead is a fellow at Resources for the Future (RFF) and Director of RFF’s Carbon Pricing Initiative. He joined RFF in 2013 from Stanford University, where he received his PhD in 2011 and then spent two years as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research.

Throughout his career, Hafsted has spent considerable time researching  the environmental and economic impacts of carbon taxes, cap-and-trade programs, clean energy standards, and gasoline taxes. At this year’s conference, he will offer his viewpoint on the state of carbon pricing in America and provide a preview of the joint upcoming educational series that our two organizations will be providing starting in the fall. 

This year, CCL has started to re-engage on the topic of carbon pricing. From the newly formed Carbon Pricing Action Team to the volunteer survey on carbon pricing released this spring, we’ve started to determine how we can advocate for this key policy in the current political landscape. We’re looking forward to hearing from Marc Hafstead, who brings a fresh perspective from our allies at Resources for the Future.

We previously announced Jigar Shah as our conference keynote. Shah will tee up a packed day of breakout sessions, Lobby Day preparation, and speakers you won’t want to miss — including Hafstead. 

Register now before the July 9 deadline. We’ll see you in D.C.! 🇺🇸

Register for the Conference

In other news this week:


	Sen. Boozman confirms commitment to FOFA: In a recent Senate Agricultural Committee hearing, Chairman Boozman (R-AR) confirmed his commitment to the Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA) in his opening remarks. In his speech, he thanked the lead co-sponsors from each party as well as the members of Congress who have voted in favor of FOFA. He also pledged, in his role as chairman, to getting the bill across the finish line in the Senate and to the President’s desk to be signed into law. We’re excited to see this good news and commitment  to supporting FOFA on its journey. 
	 
	CCL gains new governing board member: Tech company founder and longtime CCL volunteer Alison Holtzschue officially joined Citizens’ Climate Lobby governing board this month, bringing experience and energy that will support CCL’s success in the coming years.  Alison founded computers dot mom in 1998. She brings decades of experience in nonprofit volunteer fundraising and board service. Welcome Alison!
	 
	June Monthly Meeting: Tune in this Saturday, June 13 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT for June’s Monthly Meeting, featuring guest speaker Tyson Bertone-Riggs of the Alliance for Wildfire Resilience. Bertone-Riggs has a diverse background in forest policy and conservation work and brings experience working for state and federal forestry agencies. Tune in to hear more about Tyson's background and CCL's forestry work.


Take action this week
If you have a little time: Share CCLers’ “first conference” memories. To celebrate the feeling of attending your first conference, we asked a few veteran CCLers to tell us about their first experience at a Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day. Their answers were heartwarming, funny, and relatable to anyone who has walked the halls of Congress for the very first time. Watch the video yourself, then share the link from CCL’s Facebook, X, or Bluesky pages to help us inspire someone new to join us in D.C. this year!

If you have more time: Conduct ‘Advocacy Detective’ work for summer lobbying. When we can talk to a Member of Congress in a way that connects with their worldview and resonates with their moral foundations, we get that much closer to the climate policy progress we want to see. That’s what the Advocacy Detective (BRIDGE Unit 2, Training 2) teaches. By exploring online resources, public polling and much more, you’ll create a “blueprint” of your Member of Congress, which will inform and support your lobby meetings in D.C. in July. Head to the Advocacy Detective training page for a deep dive into all of the resources and steps. 

Featured: CCL St. Joseph / Benton Harbor
Even though CCL’s focus is advancing federal climate action, there’s nothing like a local stewardship event to remind us what we’re working to protect.

This Earth Month, CCL’s St. Joseph / Benton Harbor chapter in Michigan helped clean up litter and did some tabling at the Sustain Ox Creek Clean Up and Earth Day event. 

“Ox Creek is a critical watershed that flows into Lake Michigan and is currently in phases to be cleaned and restored to maintain clean water for the environment and community,” explained Group Leader Angela Valha. “Along with volunteers from the community, we were able to clear litter and trash along the corridor of Ox Creek and several blocks surrounding Benton Harbor.”

Angela added, “Our chapter members are proud of the work we do on the federal level to support climate policy in Congress, but it’s so gratifying to be involved in local ‘boots on the ground’ community events like this that are a puzzle piece in the bigger picture of fighting climate change.”

Way to keep Michigan beautiful! 

Find photos of this chapter and other stories of CCL's 2026 Earth Month outreach in this blog post.

Upcoming trainings &amp; events

6/11: Lobbying with Impact: How to Prepare and Show Up Strong for Your Congressional Meetings - Join CCL Network Director Jon Clark for a training that 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!

6/18: Summer Conference &amp; Lobby Day Q&amp;A - Are you curious about what to expect about CCL's Summer 2026 Conference and Lobby Days or have a question about any final details? Join Alison Kubicsko, National Events Director and Mindy Ahler CCL Congressional Liaison Director for a final walk-through of the who, what, and where for CCL's Conference and Lobby Days to help you prepare for what to expect with the schedule, logistics, and details. Join us! 

To see other events and CCL trainings, visit the Live Events Calendar on CCL Community.<br /><br />Posted by Elissa Tennant<br />Jun 10, 2026 4:36 pm<hr noshade />]]></description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:36:37 +0100</pubDate>
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