From CITIZENS’ CLIMATE LOBBY
The grassroots nonprofit organization Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) hosted a virtual climate conference the weekend of Dec. 5-6 and then spent the following week in the midst of a nationwide lobbying push.
Called “United We Move,” the conference featured keynote speakers from across the political spectrum and breakout sessions to equip attendees with skills to push for climate legislation in 2021. Videos of the conference are available in a playlist on CCL’s YouTube channel here. On Zoom, 3,725 climate advocates tuned in from all 50 states and from 27 other countries.
Rob Schuster, Co-Chair of the Perrysburg chapter of CCL explains: During this Congress, our chapter has worked hard to show Congressman Robert Latta that our community supports climate action. This is an important issue that affects our community in numerous ways. We are building diverse groups in NW Ohio that are committed to solving this problem.”
The virtual meeting with Mike Davin, Legislative Aide to Congressman Latta, was attended by area CCL volunteers and business owners to discuss solutions for Climate Change and ask for support for HR 763 also known as The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. One volunteer in attendance, Aameera Haris, a senior at Toledo Technology Academy said: “I interned with a not-for-profit law organization my sophomore year and learned first-hand how pollution from carbon emissions and other sources negatively affect lower income families who have no choice but to live in highly polluted areas – I had never realized that before.” The Toledo CCL chapter also advocated for climate legislation, having met with staff members from Representative Marcy Kaptur’s office. According to Julia Petty, co-chair of the Toledo chapter and a senior at Notre Dame Academy: “This was my second lobby meeting this year – If we don’t act quickly on climate change it will become irreversible. That is why I joined CCL – to do my part on the fight for our planet.” Julia and her fellow members met with Legislative Staff Matt Kaplan and Matt Young, Fellow.
All told, at least 375 lobby meetings with congressional offices took place this week. In addition to House of Representative meetings, Steve Roberts, a volunteer with the Perrysburg chapter along with several other CCL members from around the State of Ohio met with Sarah Peery and Lydia Denis of Senator Robert Portman’s office. They asked Senator Portman what it would take for him to support the EICDA in the next Congress.
Even though events and meetings have taken place virtually for both chapters since March, support and endorsements for HR 763 and Carbon Fee and Dividend continues to build. HR763 is supported by a broad group of individuals and businesses not just locally but nationally as well. It’s good for both our planet and our economy. It has something in it for everyone so no matter what side of the political spectrum you’re on you can come away feeling good about this. Together is how we’re going to solve this climate crisis and this bill is designed to allow us to do just that.
