We have BIG NEWS to share for Earth Day! For those of you who were planning to attend last night's Climate Town Hall with Congresswoman Norton, we're sorry to disappoint you, and we'll let you know when it's rescheduled. However, the Congresswoman has delivered: she has signed onto H.R. 2307, the Energy Innovation Act!!
We need your help! See the action items below the press release to see how you can join us in offering positive reinforcement. You can join us today at lunch for an Action Hour. Then don't forget that our Earth Month Climate Fair is still on for next Thursday!
Local climate advocates applaud Congresswoman Norton for Earth Day climate action
April 19, 2021 – Members of the Washington, DC chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) are thrilled that the District of Columbia’s Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton has signed onto a bill to address climate change.
Norton joins 39 other House colleagues as a cosponsor on the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 2307). This legislation is one of the most robust pieces of climate legislation on the table in Congress.
The Energy Innovation Act will drive down America’s carbon pollution by at least 30% in the first five years, and put us on a path to net-zero emissions by 2050. As it does so, it will also improve health and save lives by reducing the pollution that Americans breathe, and it will boost the economy with millions of jobs, thanks to a monthly dividend going into Americans’ pockets.
In joining H.R. 2307, Norton explained her motivation, “I cosponsored the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act because it will help bring the U.S. to net zero emissions by 2050 while helping low-income Americans through carbon dividends.”
The Congresswoman has supported several measures to price carbon as a way to reduce climate pollution, and previously joined the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus alongside her colleague Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón from Puerto Rico.
“Congresswoman Norton has been a consistent advocate for environmental protection in DC and nationwide, and I’m thrilled to see her sign onto this robust carbon pricing legislation,” said Emily Koester, a local CCL volunteer and constituent of Eleanor Holmes Norton for 10 years. “Her support of this legislation shows she understands what it takes to reduce our emissions while supporting the economy."
The Washington, DC chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby has organized climate advocates to meet with Norton’s office many times over the last past eight years, and mobilized many phone calls and constituent letters to the office about climate change.
“Here in DC, summer heat waves are becoming more dangerous,” said Debbie Chang, co-leader of the Washington, DC chapter. “When the heat index went up to 115F in July, 2019, the fire department responded to 64 heat related calls and four people died. Climate change is impacting us now and federal action is critical. We deeply appreciate Congresswoman Norton for responding to our concerns and cosponsoring this bill.”
Take Action to Thank Rep. Norton!
We want to show Congresswoman Norton that DC is behind her on this bill!
Contact Rep Norton's office to thank her for co-sponsoring this important climate legislation by using CCL's handy tool:
Write: http://cclusa.org/write
Call: http://cclusa.org/call
Today we are planning a Tweetstorm to thank Rep. Norton for her cosponsorship of the Energy Innovation Act!
Make sure when you tweet to use the hashtag #PriceOnPollution, #EnergyInnovationAct, and/or #HR2307, tag @EleanorNorton and @ccl_dc (so we can see and engage with your tweets), include the Thank You graphic above, and end with EnergyInnovationAct.org.
Feel free to do this by yourself-- but if you want company, join us for our Earth Day lunchtime Action Hour as we take these quick actions together!
Are you curious about the climate crisis, but not sure where to get started? Find your place in the movement with this fair. There will be a series of 15 minute workshops for you to rotate through--each will teach a different element of climate action. Learn about the basics of climate change and see what actions best suit your style.
What: Earth Month Climate Fair
When: Thursday, April 29, 7:00-8:00pm ET
CCL-DC events: There's a lot going on for the 51st Earth Day but we wanted you to focus on the above. If you've read this far :-) check our chapter calendar on our CCL Community page: http://bit.ly/ccldc-calendar
