Citizens' Climate Lobby

Join us live from D.C. as over a thousand CCLers converge to work together on climate solutions and meet with Congress! Flannery Winchester, CCL’s Senior Director of Communications, will host this call and will be joined by former CCLers who now work in Congress. Our old friends will talk about what life is like on “the other side” and give invaluable perspectives on CCL and lobby meetings. We’ll also give you a fly-on-the-wall experience of conference life as we walk the halls of the Omni Shoreham chatting to CCL staff and interns along the way. 

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June Action Sheet: https://cclusa.org/actionsheet 

This training is designed for those who wish to learn more about leading a lobby meeting with a member of Congress or staff. In this training, we review the role of a lobby team leader, how they assign team roles, coordinate practice times and how to handle other special situations.

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Presentation Slides: http://cclusa.org/lobbylead  

Join CCL's Vice President of Government Affairs Ben Pendergrass and Senior Director Jenn Tyler for a training that will provide up to the moment insights on the dynamics in Congress and how we can most effectively use our time in meetings to support our agenda. This is a recommended training for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of their group's Summer 2024 Lobby Meeting (as well as Lobby Training #1 - CCL's Summer 2024 Primary & Secondary Asks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqaxAhygXpo )

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Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/legislative-plan-slides  

In this month’s Citizens’ Climate Radio episode, Rob Hopkins, one of the founders of the Transition Town movement, shows us how playful imagination can lead to real-world solutions, and you will discover how a life-sized whale made of plastic bags brought a community together to pass groundbreaking legislation. Artist Carrie Ziegler shares her extraordinary project that mobilized hundreds of schoolchildren to make a powerful statement about plastic pollution. In the Nerd Corner, Dana Nuccatelli tackles the big question: is a carbon price still effective in a post-Inflation Reduction Act world? 

Rob Hopkins, Time Traveler and Creative Climate Change Campaigner

Rob Hopkins, co-founder of the Transition Network and Transition Town Totnes, and author of several influential books, including “The Transition Handbook” and “From What Is to What If: Unleashing the Power of Imagination to Create the Future We Want,” believes that playful imagination is crucial for tackling climate change. An Ashoka Fellow with a PhD from the University of Plymouth and two honorary doctorates, Rob encourages communities to adopt sustainable practices that promote self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship. "My work is about finding positive solutions to climate change," says Rob, who also engages in printmaking in his spare time. His approach to climate activism is deeply rooted in the power of imagination, urging people to envision a future where collective action has transformed our world for the better.

One of Rob's most innovative techniques involves time travel exercises, where he guides participants to imagine themselves in the year 2030 or beyond, a time shaped by years of dedicated environmental efforts. "I always remind people, ten years is actually a long, long time in terms of things that can happen," he explains. Participants universally envision a cleaner, more content, and more connected world through these exercises. Rob's ability to inspire others by helping them create a "new north star" in their lives, where a low-carbon future feels "delicious and irresistible," makes his perspective both inventive and motivating. As he puts it, "We need to cultivate and nurture in people the most profound longing for a low-carbon future."

Rob Hopkins hosts the podcast From What If to What Next, which explores imaginative solutions to some of the world's biggest challenges. You can learn more about Rob, his books, and the Transition Town movement by visiting his website. You can watch the film, Transition 2.0 for free on YouTube. It is “an inspirational immersion in the Transition movement, gathering stories from around the world of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.” Additionally, check out his latest projects, the Ministry of Imagination Manifesto and Field Recordings from the Future. Rob's forthcoming book, “How to Fall in Love with the Future,” is set to be released next year. In November 2022, Rob was honored as an Honorary Citizen of Liège in Belgium. Connect with Rob and explore his innovative approaches to climate activism at robhopkins.net.

Collaborative Art Meets Activism: Carrie Ziegler's Whale Project Sparks Change

Carrie Ziegler is a collaborative artist based in Olympia, Washington, whose passion lies in creating large-scale art projects that inspire positive change. By working with schools, nonprofits, and local governments, Carrie brings together hundreds, sometimes thousands, of individuals to address environmental and social justice issues through art. 

One of her most impactful projects involved creating a life-sized gray whale made entirely of plastic bags and trash, engaging over 900 children and adults. "I decided to do a project around that," she explains, reflecting on her mission to end the use of single-use plastic bags. "We created this whale, this life-sized gray whale out of plastic bags and other trash." This incredible undertaking educated participants about marine biology and plastic pollution and became a powerful symbol in the community, helping to shift public opinion and inspire legislative change.

Carrie's work is a testament to the power of art in activism. The whale, modeled after a real whale found with plastic in its stomach, was publicly unveiled at the annual Procession of the Species celebration, where thousands witnessed its impact. "There were actually council members who invited me to bring the whale to their city council meetings," Carrie recounts, highlighting the project's role in successfully implementing plastic bag bans across local jurisdictions. However, her work's true success lies in the personal empowerment it fosters. "There were kids, particularly middle school kids, who talked about how they felt personally responsible for that ban on plastic bags," she shares. Carrie's projects provide participants with a sense of ownership and accomplishment, proving that collaborative art can indeed change the world.

Visit Carrie Ziegler's website to learn more about her inspiring projects, read her journal, and watch videos. For images of the whale project and additional information, check out the show notes at cclusa.org/radio. 

Take a Meaningful Next Step

Each mont, we will suggest meaningful, achievable, and measurable next steps for you to consider. We recognize that action is an antidote to despair. If you are struggling with what you can do, visit our Action Page

The Nerd Corner: Carbon Fee & Dividend in a Post-IRA World

Dana Nuccitelli, CCL Research Coordinator, explores whether a carbon price remains the best climate policy in a post-Inflation Reduction Act world. "Putting a price on carbon pollution would impact almost every sector of the economy," Dana explains, emphasizing its cost-effective impact on emissions. Visit the Nerd Corner to join the conversation. You can also read some of Dana’s articles in The Guardian. 

Good News 

Citizens' Climate Lobby volunteers nationwide achieved the goal of having over 30,000 climate conversations. By breaking the silence and discussing climate change with friends and family, they made the issue more real and paved the way for action.

Listener Survey

We want to hear your feedback about this episode. After you listen, feel free to fill in this short survey. Your feedback will help us make new decisions about the show's content, guests, and style. You can fill it out anonymously and answer whichever questions you like. You can also reach us by email: radio @citizensclimatelobby.org 

You can hear Citizens’ Climate Radio wherever you get podcasts. 

We Want to Hear from You

• Email: radio @ citizensclimate.org

Special Thanks to the following people and groups for the ways they promote us through social media:

Reverend Doctor Jane Ellingwood, James Bradford III, Michael Cooper, Bill Nash, Wharton Sinclair, Sari Fordham, Karina Ramirez 1.5, and CCL Chapters in Arkansas, Boulder, Colorado, San Diego, Alameda, and Silicon Valley North in California

Production Team:

• Written and produced by Peterson Toscano and the CCR team.

Music is provided by epidemicsound.com

Social Media:

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Join CCL's Vice President of Government Affairs Ben Pendergrass and Senior Director of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler for a training that will review the updates and context for CCL's Summer 2024 Primary and Secondary Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their in-person meetings. 

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Q&A Discussion ( https://vimeo.com/948787304/62252de422 )

Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/june-asks-slides 

Join CCL's State and Local Media Coordinator Charlotte Ward for a training that will provide a broad overview of the opportunities chapters have as we prepare for summer and our Summer Conference to engage with their local news media on climate solutions. 

Presentation Slides:  https://cclusa.org/2024-media-opportunities 

Sara Eyassu is CCL's Mountain West Fellow and is currently a sophomore at the University of Southern California majoring in environmental studies as a pre-law student. Last summer, she completed a teaching fellowship with Generation Teach where she taught environmental justice to rising sixth graders. This drive encouraged climate advocacy within higher education through membership on the Student Sustainability Committee of the Presidential Working Group on Sustainability in Education, Research, and Operations. She hopes to continue learning through collaborative efforts and equitable sustainability work. Sara will lead a "Youth Takeover" showcasing the work of CCL youth on our May call.

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May Action Sheet: https://cclusa.org/actionsheet 

• Introductions and Agenda (from beginning) 

Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/working-with-congress/lobbying-301 

http://cclusa.org/handling-difficult-scenarios

This training is part of the “Working With Congress” training series, designed to empower you - an important member of our volunteer network - to be ready for lobby meetings, both in-district and in D.C. Learn about citizen advocacy, the advantages we hold as citizens in transforming our government and the policies we adopt, and hear stories from CCL volunteers around the country who demonstrate how citizens can build meaningful, long-term relationships with their congressional office. 

CCL Training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/working-with-congress/lobbying-101 

Presentation Slides: http://cclusa.org/transformative-power 

Join CCL Research Coordinator Dana Nuccitelli for our quarterly AMA series on April 30th! Dana will be joined by Dr. Lisa Patel, Executive Director of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health from the Stanford School of Medicine. A mom of two young children, Dr. Patel's climate advocacy is deeply rooted in a desire to create a healthier and more equitable future. To learn about Dr. Patel’s climate and health journey before the call here!

More information: https://medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org/members-in-action/patel/ 

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