Welcome to ELA Nonprofit’s Climate Leadership Blog
Before I get started on this latest blog entry, I wanted to share with those of you who speak Spanish, my latest interview on climate change advocacy:
Your guide to quick and effective climate action
ELA Nonprofit Consulting’s mission is to research and teach optimal human responses to growing conflicts and unprecedented global risks with emphasis on fostering higher ambition and accelerated action to limit climate change, and to facilitate the development of public servants and public service organizations facing barriers to market entry in these endeavors.
Below you will find legislative or organizational initiatives that will lead you to climate leadership within minutes.
Today’s blog focuses on summer 2024 federal climate legislation and climate advocacy leadership tips.
As has been made abundantly clear in the summer of 2024 by Dr. Michael Mann, a leading climate scientist, it’s “game over” for climate mitigation and adaptation, if the wrong Presidential candidate is elected in the United States. Getting out the U.S. climate vote is fundamental to fostering higher ambition and accelerated action to curtail climate change. Likewise, voting without consideration of climate or not voting at all will very likely lead to global climate catastrophe. It is not alarmist or counterproductive to yell “fire!” in a theater that indeed is on fire. In fact, it is a moral imperative of the highest order.
By clicking the underlined link below, you can view the presentation that Citizens Climate Lobby’s (CCL) NorthEast Regional Director, Peter Dugas, and I made at the Brooklin Climate Response Committee (BCRC) in Blue Hill, Maine on why the U.S. needs carbon pricing and highly effective climate advocacy. My presentation highlights Maine’s CCL experience at the National Conference & Lobbying in June of this year, including some fun photos with U.S. Senator Susan Collins.
Furthermore, there are a variety of organizations, such as Environmental Voter Project (calling environmentalists to encourage voting) and Vote Forward (letter writing) that you can join to assist in the most important election effort in human history. Or, consider just encouraging voting in whatever way you personally can, for example, by driving climate change-sensitive voters to their polling places.
Reposted From Citizens’ Climate Lobby with photos of Blue Hill — Hancock County, Maine Chapter members and guests:
Bolivian Citizens’ Climate Education/Lobby Contingent at the June 2024 National Conference & Lobbying Day in Washington, D.C. Photo credit: Adam R. Zemans
Days Left! Double Down on Clean Energy Permitting Reform
Keep the drumbeat going from Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s 442 lobby meetings in June
At this year’s June Lobby Day event, CCL volunteers asked their members of Congress to support a new, bipartisan clean energy permitting reform package. To finish the job, Congress needs to hear from us more than once. We want to see a new legislative package get introduced and pushed over the finish line.
Ask Congress to enact further permitting reform legislation this year
The new package must:
Boost transmission projects
Improve early community involvement
Speed up the pace with which the U.S. builds and deploys new clean energy projects
We’re glad Congress has been chipping away at this issue, but there’s more to be done. Without permitting reform, roughly half of the potential carbon pollution reductions from the Inflation Reduction Act will be lost.
Bipartisan PROVE IT Act Hits The House
On July 10, 2024, the efforts of the Citizens Climate Lobby bore fruit as Congress responded to their advocacy. A bipartisan coalition in the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced the PROVE IT Act (H.R. 8957).
In the previous month, CCL volunteers conducted 442 meetings on Capitol Hill, urging congressional support for this legislation. Additionally, supporters generated 10,617 calls and emails to encourage members of Congress to back the PROVE IT Act.
The House bill, now officially introduced, is spearheaded by Rep. John Curtis (R-UT-03) and Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA-50). It has garnered support from 19 additional cosponsors, with a balanced representation from both Republican and Democratic parties.
It's worth noting that the Senate version of the PROVE IT Act has already cleared the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee with bipartisan backing. The recent House introduction and its significant cosponsor list indicate continued progress for the Act.
Citizen engagement is crucial in the legislative process, and the PROVE IT Act's progress presents an opportunity for constituents to interact with their representatives. The list of cosponsors for the bill is publicly available, allowing you to check if your representative is among those supporting the legislation.
If you find that your member of Congress is indeed a cosponsor, it's highly beneficial to reach out and express your gratitude. Positive feedback from constituents can reinforce a representative's commitment to the cause and encourage continued support for climate-related legislation.
To facilitate this process, the Citizens Climate Lobby has created an online tool designed to streamline communication with your representative. This tool includes a pre-written message of appreciation, which you can use as is or customize to add a personal touch.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby Steering Committee Member, Lisa Danz, leads a mock lobbying session for Bolivian CCL members and U.S. colleagues at the National Conference and Lobbying Day, June 2024. Photo credit: Adam R. Zemans
Photo credit: Office of U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME).
CCL can guide you to action now, in minutes, at no cost or obligation!
