Political will for a livable world
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Climate Accomplishments - 2022
2022 was an important year for climate legislation in the US, as Congress passed a major climate bill, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA is projected to help reduce the nation’s climate pollution by about 40% below 2005 levels by 2030 and get the US a large part of the way to meeting our Paris commitments.
Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as well as the CHIPS and Science Act to stimulate research in emerging clean energy technologies and provide the infrastructure needed to support them. These bills do many different things, including supply the money to address climate change at the largest scale ever in US history.
The Sacramento/Roseville chapter joined the other CCL chapters nationwide in lobbying our Congresspeople. We made multiple contacts to urge Congresswoman Matsui and Congressman Bera to support and co-sponsor climate legislation. These efforts were led by our Congressional liaisons, Billie Hamilton, Lori Morales, Judy Barrett Miller and Benjamin Tuggy.
Our chapter wrote and saw published almost 20 letters to the editor and one of our members, Mark Heckey, authored an article about the IRA and electric vehicles which was published in Comstock’s Magazine in December.
Chapter volunteers made a number of presentations to the public.Here is a sample from spring of 2022:
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How Climate Change Will Impact Sacramento and Placer Counties – Dana Nuccitelli
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What Will it Take to Tackle Climate Change? -- Kathy Dodson (using the En-ROADS climate solutions simulator )
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Hope in the Face of Climate Change – Lisa Howard
Dana made numerous other presentations helping us track and understand the progress of the bills passed, the politics behind them, and their climate implications.
During the election, we were involved in several local issues and participated in the successful Measure A, Not OK campaign. We also reached out to voters in CA District 03 to urge CCL members to vote.In other local action Jill Peterson, Kay Crumb and Elizabeth Barrett submitted comments on the City and County Climate Action Plans.Wedid direct outreach to citizens through several tabling events over the year.
And finally – we had an in person get-together and celebrated some of the year’s successes with pizza, beer, and cake!
In 2023, we'll focus on outreach to inform individuals and businesses of the tax credits and rebates available for improved home efficiency and electrification through the Inflation Reduction Act. We will be taking on the difficult task of providing information to individuals so they understand what money is available from the government to assist them in electrifying existing homes.
To get started learning about the IRA tax credits and rebates, see the resources we have listed on our website: https://www.sacramentoccl.org/go-electric
To help us – please attend one of our monthly meetings: https://www.sacramentoccl.org/upcoming-events
HR 2307 Re-introduced
April 2021 – Earlier in the month, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2021, H.R. 2307, was re-introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL-22) and 28 original cosponsors. Three weeks later, the bill had 40 co-sponsors, 14 from California. As of early July, there were 77 co-sponsors signed on!
The bill would put a rising price on carbon pollution to get America to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The carbon price revenue would be allocated to Americans through monthly dividend checks. Studies show that these checks would make the bill revenue neutral for the majority of middle class and low income families.
Since the legislation’s original introduction in November of 2018, Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteers here in Sacramento and across the country have worked to build support for it. By the end of the 116th Congress, the bill had grown to 85 co-sponsors, including Congressman Dr. Ami Bera of District CA 07.
“Carbon pricing will quickly reduce the pollution that’s causing climate change. Plus, a carbon dividend check will help people like me with energy costs as America transitions to a clean-energy economy,” local volunteer Kim Dunn explained. “Representatives Bera and Matsui should waste no time expressing support for a policy like this.”
“California is again facing a drought in 2021 which will result in more wildfires, less water for farmers, businesses and families. There will be increased negative health impacts such as asthma, heat stroke and even deaths from wildfire smoke and from very hot summer days with high pollution. These negative impacts will only get worse until we are able to reduce fossil fuel emissions. H.R. 2307 incentivizes business, individuals and entrepreneurs to look for ways to reduce carbon emissions ”
Carbon pricing is popular beyond just this group of local advocates. Nationally CCL volunteers held hundreds of lobby meetings with congressional offices in March and April to build support for carbon pricing legislation. In Sacramento, we met with the staff of both Representatives Bera and Matsui and will continue to do so.
Read more about Ted Deutch’s bill, H.R. 2307
Lobby Meeting with the U.S. Representative of CA District 7
Members of CCL Sacramento meet with Representative Ami Bera, MD and staff to ask the Congressman for his support of HR 2307.
Our chapter was happy to support Dr. Bera's efforts to inform his constituents about the health implications of wildfire smoke in a webinar earlier this year.
Local CCL volunteer,
Billie Hamilton, was featured in a recent issue of the local newspaper, East Sacramento News.
The Davis Girl Scouts Take on Climate Change
On November 16, 2019 the Davis, California Girl Scouts held a Climate Day for 60 Girl Scouts from 4th to 12th grade. The goal was to engage youth in climate action and teach the girls that they have a voice and the power to make change. Activities were designed to help the girls discover more about climate change, learn to communicate with others about climate issues, explore careers in environmental sciences, and practice skills to personally take action on climate.
The Girl Scout Climate Day event is a good example of how Schools for Climate Action Climate Action Resolutions can grow into local community action. Davis resident Lucia Kaiser heard about Schools for Climate Action from a friend who is a Sacramento Citizens Climate Lobby member. She wrote to her School Board, and was inspired to get the Davis Girl Scouts involved by attending a school board meeting. The Davis Joint Unified School District passed their resolution June 2019. As a former Girl Scout leader and current trainer of leaders, Lucia felt that climate action was an important project for Girl Scouts. She discovered that the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts had released strong climate action statements, following the United Nations climate reports (IPCC reports). Lucia gathered other Girl Scout leaders, several CCL volunteers, and a UCD student who was already involved with S4CA to plan November’s event.
The event began with a dedication to the Indigenous Peoples on whose original lands the school venue sits. Some activities included calculating family carbon footprint, practicing correct recycling, and reducing, reusing and repurposing materials. They also saw the effects of ocean warming on a coral reef, and learned about the disproportionate impact climate change has on communities of color. Older girls were able to pre-register to vote, and raised voter consciousness for younger girls. CCL and Schools for Climate Action, booths were set up, allowing girls to identify, contact, and communicate with elected officials about climate concerns.
A sister Girl Scout troop in Uganda sent a video of their environmental activities in the village. A video of the Davis Climate Day will be shared with the with the troop in Uganda. One Davis School Board member commented that he would like to see this type event occurring in the public schools as well. The nearby Heart of Central California Girl Scout Council in Sacramento heard about the event and hopes to pursue similar climate activities with 1300 more Sacramento area Girl Scouts!
Public Affairs Director and Much More - Volunteer Valerie Bane
Update: In November of 2018, Valerie was appointed to the CCL Governing Board. Kudos and congratulations.
Valerie Bane has been a member of the Sacramento CCL chapter for over three years. She has worked for the chapter as a chapter co-lead, presenter, and tabler and has networked hard to secure endorsements. In 2018, Valerie stepped up to become Sacramento CCL's Public Affairs Director to shift her energies to better use the skills she acquired by earning her MBA in marketing.
Since January, she has been busy spreading the word about who CCL is and why our proposal is a valuable first step in combating climate change. Recently, she gave a presentation to Indivisible Sacramento to help them better understand CCLs Carbon Fee and Dividend proposal as well the realities of trying to pass such legislation at the federal level. She celebrated Earth Day at an event at North Natomas Library (sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.) and delivered a presentation focused on recruitment and calls to action. In the past Valerie has presented to Women Dems of Sacramento and was interviewed by on the Radio station, Sacramento Airs as well as by Hyperlink Magazine.
Valerie has stepped up fill the vacant role of Chapter Liaison for the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS), and is creating the role of Chapter Liaison for Business Climate Leaders. She has been steadfastly working to help the chapter develop a plan of action for volunteers and other supporters for when a carbon fee and dividend bill is introduced in Congress. She is one of three Leaders of the Peer Support Action Team on Community.
In June, at the national conference in D.C., Valerie will be leading a break-out session on diversity called, "Captivating the Masses: Multicultural Outreach and Recruitment." She is currently taking an online course called, Sustainability in Everyday Life to further understand how we can make the most of what the Earth has already provided for us.
What motivates Valerie? She has seen first-hand, in her own family, the devastating effects of the impacts of climate change on the health of family members. She has committed to doing the most that she can, to see that no other family is afflicted as hers has been.
What about you? What is your motivation to work for the climate? Why do you care? Through Citizen’s Climate Lobby you can make a difference. Your hard work, like Valerie’s, can provide you with an opportunity for personal growth and make a difference to the climate.
ECOS Awards Environmentalist of the Year Award to Sacramento CCL Founder - Jennifer Wood.
On Wednesday, November 8, 2017, Jennifer Wood received the Environmentalist of the Year Award from the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS). She spearheaded the formation of the Sacramento Chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby in 2013, and has since traveled up the ranks of the predominantly all-volunteer, national organization to take on the role of Regional Coordinator; managing the activities of several chapters in the Heartland area of Northern California. She will be honored along with other champions of the environment at ECOS' annual ceremony. The ceremony will be held at the Sierra 2 Center in Curtis Park from 6:30- 8:30 pm, following a reception that begins at 530 pm.
Jennifer commented on her recognition by saying, "This award belongs to my Chapter's members as much as it does to me, There is no Citizens' Climate Lobby without the volunteers and there is no political will for change unless citizens speak out and become active."
The President of ECOS, Brandon Rose stated, “ Jennifer is an energetic voice for the environment who has helped recruit and educate community members on how to effectively lobby for national climate change solutions at the local level.”
ECOS' mission is to achieve regional and community sustainability and a healthy environment for existing and future residents. By working proactively with members, member organizations, local government, and community groups, ECOS energizes and brings positive change to the Sacramento region as they strive to develop thriving communities.
ECOS first started hosting the Environmentalist of the Year Awards in 1973. The awards ceremony is a time to celebrate and recognize the past year’s regional champions and community sustainability successes. It is also a time to reflect on the work we still have in front of us in the year ahead.
Citizens' Climate Lobby, which has 84,000 members globally and chapters that cover every Congressional District in the U.S., trains volunteers in the skills of citizen engagement and helps members exercise their political voice. The Sacramento Chapter has grown to over 800 members and has developed relationships with Representatives Doris Matsui and Ami Bera, demonstrating community support for common-sense national climate policy. Jennifer founded the Sacramento Chapter because of Citizens' Climate Lobby's emphasis on citizen engagement and its focus of bipartisan national policy. Jennifer stated, "Citizens' Climate Lobby has an approach that can bridge the political divide and bring many voices into the conversation. We advocate for national climate policy that is equitable, effective and efficient." Congratulations, Jennifer!
Sacramento Climate Lobbyists Join 1,300 in D.C. to Lobby Congress on Climate Proposal
Sacramento, Calif., June 15, 2017 -- Seven local Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL) volunteers traveled to Wash., D.C. June 11-13, along with 1,300 national volunteers who came together for the 2017 Citizens’ Climate Lobby International Conference and Lobby Day. On Tuesday, June 13, the Sacramento members joined over 900 other CCL citizen lobbyists on Capitol Hill, meeting with almost every member of the Senate and the House to address climate issues, environmental advocacy and a pro-job growth Carbon Fee & Dividend policy proposal.
Valerie Bane, co-leader for the Sacramento CCL chapter says of her time on the Hill this past week with the offices of Rep. Doris Matsui, Rep. Ami Bera and other congressional members, “I went because I can have an impact on the fate of our planet if I work tirelessly toward climate solutions, think big, and act fearlessly. Citizens’ Climate Lobby provides the leadership and support for ordinary citizens to do just that.”
Supporters at home reinforced the message of the traveling citizen lobbyists by calling their representatives on Friday, June 9th for a Congressional Call-In Day for the Climate.
CCL is creating a movement that builds bridges across social and political divides, and has successfully engaged Congress to address climate risks by coming together to discuss bipartisan solutions. CCL citizen lobbyists are asking Democrats and Republicans to join the fast-growing bipartisan House Climate Solutions Caucus, which currently has 42 members (21 from each party). The Caucus recently introduced legislation to establish a Climate Solutions Commission and held a public briefing on the impacts of climate change on oceans and coastal communities.
More about CCL. Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a California-born, Washington, DC-based non-partisan, volunteer environmental advocacy group focused on the passage of a national Carbon Fee & Dividend policy. The policy is directed at reducing greenhouse gas emission while expanding the clean energy economy that employs over 1 million U.S. jobs.
Information about the conference and CCL is available at www.citizensclimatelobby.org, about the Sacramento Citizens Climate Lobby Chapter at www.sacramentoccl.org.
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PRESS CONTACT: Robert Pearsall replaw2011@gmail.com 510-387-4670
Sacramento volunteers advocate for Climate Solution Bill on Capitol Hill
June 18 2019 – It may not surprise many Californians to learn that 97% of climate scientists agree that climate change is occurring and already having deleterious and costly current effects. Concerned Californians may ask what can be done to mitigate these effects and assure a more
stable future. Nine Sacramento members of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby were among 191 Californians who traveled to Washington, D.C. to join over 1500 other concerned citizen volunteers to implore their members of Congress to co-sponsor and/or support HR 763, known as the “Energy
Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.”
Employing a market based solution that is supported by over 3300 economists (including 27 Nobel Laureates, members of the Federal Reserve, bipartisan Council of Economic Advisors Chairs and two former Treasury Secretaries) the act aims to reduce America’s carbon pollution, bring climate change under control and unleash American innovation to expand clean energy technology. Sophisticated modeling from leading think tanks predicts substantial reductions in atmospheric CO2 and other green house gases with the approach found in HR 763. Multiple recent polls confirm a significant increase in concern about climate change across all ages and political affiliations. Two days of informational sessions presented by leading scientists, business leaders, and academics
inspired and empowered these citizen advocates prior to their congressional visits.
400 students and young people attended the10 th annual Citizens Climate Lobby International Conference, more than ever. Like young people in Europe led by 16 year old Nobel Prize nominee Greta Thunberg and the “Climate Change kids” from Oregon who filed suit in federal court to address climate change, Sadie Tucker (15) of Truckee is worried. Attending her second conference she expressed concern about the effects she has
witnessed first hand in the Sierras, with erratic snowfalls and dying trees. Sacramento resident Billie Hamilton (91), shown here with Rep. Doris Matsui’s energy aide Emily Richardson, shares Sadie’s concern. She is one of the Sacramento CCL’s chapter liaisons to local representatives who worked for months to assure an organized, effective lobbying effort. Lori Morales led the meeting with Representative Ami Bera who recently authored an article entitiled “To Protect our Health We Must Act on Climate” in The Hill.
Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, lead author on the 2018 Fourth National Climate Assessment, was the keynote speaker at the conference. Completed in November 2018, the congressionally mandated report by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (globalchange.gov) is a comprehensive and
authoritative report on climate change and its impacts in the United States. She reported these findings: “The climate is changing, humans are responsible, the impacts are serious and the window of time to avoid even more dangerous impacts is closing fast.” She concluded her session, as she concluded her Ted Talk (with 1.6 million views) by saying:
“The most important thing you can do to fight climate change is to talk about it.”
Will you help us talk about it?
CONTACT: Valerie Bane, Public Affairs Director sacclimatelobby@gmail.com
Anne Marder, Media Coordinator a.marder@comcast.net
Recognizing Local CCL Leadership
June 28 2019 – This week, we spoke with Sacramento CCL treasurer and liaison to Doris Matsui, Billie Hamilton. Billie has been a member for over five years, and is still inspired by the folks she meets in CCL. Here are some highlights from our conversation:
What got you involved with CCL?
"Five or six years ago member , Suzanne Brown, invited me to a general meeting of the CCL. When the subject of a CCL conference in D.C. was mentioned, both of us were interested. I think, at that time, I wanted to see more of Washington! I was only moderately interested in what was going on with the climate. Well, attending the conference was my eye-openinge encounter about climate change. The energy of so many people passionate about the Carbon Fee and Dividend plan was amazing. So,I have been an enthusiastic volunteer ever since. I have attended three conferences and lobbied many legislators there. I also have participated in lobbying our local legislators. I’ve learned that building political will takes patience.I've learned that stepping out of my comfort zone is energizing and empowering. Being a long time educator, I am all about learning. CCL is THE place to learn. A. prof once said to me “To Know is to Do!”. "
What would you tell non-members about CCL, or what steps they could take to advocate for climate action?
When they say “I can’t do anything about it” I encourage my friends to attend the meetings. If they can’t do that, then I ask them for donations to our local chapter. That seems to give them a way out of the do nothing attitude. Then I try to enter them into the roster which causes information to be sent to them about CCL. I like to talk with them about hope: being with a group of people with the same focus somehow keeps me feeling positive. Finding places where I can be of help such as providing banners, doing tabling activities, being treasurer, and making occasional presentations, and being liaison to Representative Doris Matsui, gives me an outlet to counter depression. Just being in the midst of intelligent, practical-minded people, is a continuous feeding of my energy to do good. I tell them that , for me, membership is a moral necessity: being part of the wave to save the planet is paramount.
Thank you for all that you do!