Citizens Climate Lobby

Why taxing bad things is good; Trainings on Holiday Break; Happy Holidays

	CCL Weekly Briefing, Dec. 21, 2022

Table of Contents:
	GCSA in omnibus package
	Take action this week
	Sierra Sun profiles CCLer

Growing Climate Solutions Act added to omnibus

Citizens’ Climate Lobby applauds the inclusion of the Growing Climate Solutions Act in the omnibus spending bill expected to be passed this week. The legislation would help all farmers and foresters to access carbon credit markets and get paid for using climate-friendly practices that sequester carbon.

Since it was introduced last year, the bill has garnered broad bipartisan support, thanks in great part to the lobbying efforts of CCL volunteers throughout the country who contacted and met with their senators and representatives. The legislation cleared the Senate last summer with overwhelming support, 92-8. The House version of the bill gathered 100 cosponsors, demonstrating support that helped it to be included in the must-pass omnibus spending bill.

“This is one more win in a year that has seen tremendous progress on climate solutions,” said Madeleine Para, CCL Executive Director. “The agriculture sector is experiencing great hardship from climate change, and this legislation makes it easier for farmers to be part of the solution.”

CCL Vice President of Government Affairs Ben Pendergrass was quoted in the Washington Post’s Climate 202 about the act.

“Right now, it’s kind of like the Wild West,” Pendergrass said. “This will put some guardrails around carbon markets, giving people who are buying these credits more assurance that what they’re buying is actually sequestering carbon.”

While the RISEE Act did not make it into the omnibus package, this policy may be back on our agenda in 2023. We will be sure to update you on this and other policy areas once the 118th Congress is in session.

You can find more information in our press release below.

In other news this week:

• Trainings on break: CCL’s volunteer training will resume after the holidays on Jan. 5, 2023. To see past trainings, visit the Training Topics page of CCL Community.

• Why taxing bad things is good: In this piece, CCL Research Coordinator Jonathan Marshall explains the benefit of taxing tobacco, alcohol, and even carbon emissions.

• With Gratitude #5: Read more about what volunteers are doing to fight climate change, such as organizing parade floats and digging for fossils.

Take action this week

If you have a little time: Donate to CCL

Citizens’ Climate empowers a growing network of 210,000+ best lobbyists that money can’t buy: everyday people motivated to save what we love most. And, we’re effective. Our approach gives ordinary people the tools, training, and organizational support to effectively build bridges in their local communities and bring more folks to the table on climate advocacy. As a result, our ranks are full of steadfast citizen lobbyists who go above and beyond in the fight for a livable world. Now, we’re rolling up our sleeves again: strengthening our outreach and mobilization to better advocate for the policies we need to meet—and even exceed—the climate goals set in the Paris Accords. But we need your support to be successful. Will you help us hit the ground running and secure big climate victories in 2023? Make a tax-deductible donation to Citizens’ Climate Education today.

If you have more time: Relax and enjoy the holidays

You’ve worked incredibly hard this year. You’ve attended conferences, lobbied Congress, voted in the midterms, called and written your members of Congress, gone to meetings, and made a huge difference in your community. Set aside some time this holiday season to eat your favorite holiday goodies, and spend time with the family members and friends who motivate you to work as hard as you do. From all of us at CCL, happy holidays.

Find your CCL chapter | Check out our Action Teams | Browse upcoming events

Sierra Sun interviews CCL volunteer

The Sierra Sun recently interviewed CCL volunteer Sam Ruderman in their monthly climate profile, which spotlights environmentalists in the community. Sam has six years of experience in the environmental field, and uses his experience in his chapter of CCL. In the interview, Sam discusses how he got involved in CCL, and some of the work he’s done as a volunteer.

“I attended my first meeting and was equally impressed by the dedication, intelligence, and thoroughness of the chapter leaders and members,” Sam recalls. “It was inspiring and refreshing, and I wanted to contribute to the organization’s progressive efforts to influence change.”

READ SAM'S STORY

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