From CITIZENS’ CLIMATE LOBBY
A group of advocates from the Perrysburg, Toledo and Findlay chapters of Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) participated in a virtual conference and lobbying event today to press Congress for climate change solutions. Specifically, they joined thousands of other CCL volunteers asking Congress to put a price on carbon pollution and give the revenue to households.
In years past, this has been held as an in-person event in Washington, D.C., and participants have lobbied their representatives on Capitol Hill. In 2019, 1,500 volunteers attended the conference, and 1,200 of them met with congressional offices. This year due to COVID-19, the conference programming and lobbying efforts have all gone virtual.
“Lobby Days, whether they are virtual or in person, are great opportunities to build productive and beneficial relationships with Congress and their staff to discuss proactive solutions to some of the big challenges we face today,” said Karen Soubeyrand, a CCL volunteer who participated in the event which was called “A Community Stronger than COVID.” Soubeyrand, who is retired, is an active volunteer in numerous natural area restoration projects in the Oak Openings region and has lived in Springfield Township for 30 years. “The detrimental effects of Climate Change are the biggest problems of our lifetime – we must find a solution that is fair to everyone; Carbon Fee and Dividend is one such solution.”
Including Soubeyrand, seven volunteers held a virtual meeting with Mike Davin, Energy/Environment Aide for Representative Bob Latta of District 5. These participants as well as others had attended virtual education and training seminars on June 13 and June 14.
They are seeking support for the bipartisan Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 763), which will put a fee on all oil, gas and coal we use in the United States. It will drive down carbon pollution because energy companies and Americans will choose cleaner, cheaper energy options. The money from the fee will be returned directly to people as a monthly rebate. Most American households will end up with more money in their pockets. The bill has 80 House members signed on. These local advocates also asked for support of the Reclaim Act which supports the revitalization of Coal communities and the Best Act, which supports research and development of energy storage systems. Both of these acts are integral to aiding companies and individuals to transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources.
“We hope to see Representative Latta co-sponsor the Energy Innovation Act. This policy will benefit our economy, our health, and our futures here in Northwest Ohio,” said Soubeyrand.
Additionally, Toledo chapter volunteers met with Matt Kaplan, from Marcy Kaptur’s office asking for support of H.R. 763 as well as the Climate-Ready Fisheries Act.
“Here in Northwest Ohio, we’re still very concerned about climate change, even during this pandemic,” said Bob Clark-Phelps, leader of the Perrysburg chapter. “We’re ready for Congress to take action, and we’re working to make that happen.”
They’re not alone in this sentiment. New polling from Yale and George Mason Universities confirms that Americans’ understanding of climate change and concern about it remains at record highs.
