Table of Contents: New study on carbon dividends Take action this week Sen. Coons opens CCL conference Upcoming trainings

A new study published in Nature Climate Change recently gained traction in mainstream media outlets, such as The Atlantic, with the assertion that dividends do not increase the popularity of a carbon price. This is because citizens in countries with carbon fee and rebate systems tend to overestimate their carbon costs. 

Fortunately, CCL’s Research Team has written a blog piece, getting to the bottom of what this study actually means: it’s not enough to provide carbon cashbacks that exceed the carbon fee costs. Instead, dividends must be coupled with educational efforts to inform citizens about how much the carbon price is increasing their costs and that the carbon fee and dividend system is generating a net income for most households. 

Another key takeaway point from this study, according to CCL Research Coordinator Dana Nuccitelli, is that while the dividend information did not increase support for carbon pricing in Canada or have very much effect on support in Switzerland, the policy is already broadly popular.

In other news this week:

• Reconciliation update: CCL’s Vice President of Organizational Strategy Tony Sirna gave an update on the current reconciliation process, saying, “Work continues to proceed on putting together a smaller package for budget reconciliation that has climate provisions at the center.” You can read Tony’s message here.
• Valentine’s Day donation: Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Trying to think outside the heart-shaped chocolate box this year? A gift to Citizens’ Climate shows your loved one that you care: not only for them, but for our collective future. Give the most meaningful gift of all — grassroots, bipartisan climate action. Make a donation in honor of your special someone today.
• Black History Month: As Black History Month continues, CCL intern Berit Thorson highlights several Black environmentalists who are shaping the climate movement. You can read that blog here.
• Bipartisan work in Oregon: Volunteers in Oregon succeeded in getting bipartisan legislation passed through their state senate in support of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. You can read their story here.
• Volunteer Spotlight: This month’s Volunteer Spotlight is Steve Levin, who helps volunteers strengthen their communication skills and personal resilience. Read more here.