Table of Contents: CCL conference success Take action this week Pullman climate survey results Upcoming trainings

This past weekend, CCL held our online December conference to successfully roll out our new and expanded policy agenda. Over 1,500 attendees heard from members of Congress, researchers, CCL staff, and renewable energy experts from across the nation about some of CCL’s upcoming policies and how to make them a reality in 2023. 

“Our values and purpose and ways of working together remain the same. It’s our strategy that evolves to fit the times we’re in and the organization that we’ve become,” said CCL Executive Director Madeleine Para in her opening speech. 

In this conference, CCL staff and industry experts discussed CCL’s new strategies for 2023, which include:

• Continuing support for a carbon fee and dividend and a carbon border adjustment mechanism
• Growing healthy forests and trees across the U.S. and combating international deforestation
• Building electrification and efficiency in buildings across the U.S.
• Working through the permitting reform process to accelerate the approval of clean energy projects and add to America’s capacity to transmit clean energy

With these policy priorities, CCL aims to reduce and mitigate emissions, work with both parties in new ways and push them towards greater action. These policies will increase our effectiveness and work in tandem with the priorities of Congress. Together, they will help lower U.S. carbon emissions to net zero.

If you couldn’t attend, don’t fret! Keep an eye on the CCL blog for conference speech transcripts and seminar recaps. For now, check out the YouTube playlist below for the conference speeches, seminars, and presentations below.

In other news this week:

     •     The best lobbyists money can’t buy: At Citizens’ Climate, we believe everyday people make the best lobbyists money can’t buy — with the power to push our government to take meaningful action on climate change. And, it works: in August, the most significant climate legislation in U.S. history was made law thanks, in large part, to the broad support for climate solutions we built together. Still, in order to avoid the most devastating effects of climate change, we need to do even more. We aim to raise $1.5 million by December 31st to help us reach, train, and mobilize even more dedicated citizen lobbyists—at a time when Congress has shown more interest in climate solutions than ever before. Can we count on you to pitch in? Make a tax-deductible donation to Citizens’ Climate Education today. 

     •     CCLers on the Hill (virtually): For the December lobby session, CCL volunteers have already scheduled 259 meetings, and there are 433 confirmed appointment setters. Excellent work, CCLers! If you haven’t already, work with your chapter to set up a lobby meeting. You can find some helpful resources here.

     •     Grasstops Engagement Action Team: On Dec. 14, the Grasstops Engagement Action Team will feature a guest speaker, CERES Senior Associate Levi Kamolnick, to talk about the importance of grasstops leaders in legislative work and how they can best extend their support for strong climate policy. You can find more information about this event here.

     •     Nerd Corner: The brainiacs at CCL’s Nerd Corner have been doing plenty of research. You can read more about the power of carbon pricing being reaffirmed in a major new study here, and you can read about Austria’s climate bonus here.

     •     Volunteer Spotlight — Gigi Santo:  “Gigi” Santo is a high school senior and Group Co-Leader in Broward County, Florida. She also spoke about leadership at CCL’s December conference. Read her story here.

     •     With Gratitude #3: In this gratitude installment, you’ll read about volunteers who tabled for Earth Day, petitioned AARP, and plenty more examples of creating the political will for a liveable world.