Citizens' Climate Lobby

Your members of Congress (MOCs) will be working in their district/state offices during the last week of March and first week of April. Join this training to learn more recommendations to help your MOCs keep the policies in CCL’s policy agenda front and center by dropping off material that shows climate policy has strong support in your district/state. 

The ideal drop-off will help build your relationship with the office and demonstrate a steady drumbeat of climate activism and increased support for climate policy in the district.  Some ideas for your drop-off might include:

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Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/march-dropoff 

Citizens' Climate Lobby's Karina Ramirez and Drew Eyerly will present on "Understanding What You Don't Understand," which outlines the importance of working together while embracing differences. Andrew (Drew) Eyerly serves as CCL’s Conservative Outreach Director, where he lends a conservative voice and perspective to the organization’s mission while working to recruit, engage, and retain right-of-center volunteers. Prior to joining CCL, Drew served in the United States Army for 12 years as a Preventive Medicine Specialist and as a Medic completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Karina Ramirez (She/Her/Ella) joined CCL as a volunteer in 2017 and has served as CCL’s Diversity & Inclusion Director since 2018. In this role, she supports volunteers and staff working toward inclusion and belonging efforts. Karina is originally from Ecuador and lives in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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

Researchers from MIT recently published a paper detailing all of the great benefits that would come from passing the BIG WIRES Act, and researchers from Vanderbilt published a study about the big role household electrification and efficiency will play in realizing the Inflation Reduction Act's climate pollution reductions potential. We also received an update about the status of the IRA's important home electrification and efficiency rebate programs that have been in development for the past year and a half. Join CCL Research Coordinator Dana Nuccitelli for a training that will summarize all of this new information that's critical to CCL's clean energy permitting reform and building electrification & efficiency policy areas.

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• (0:00) Intro & Agenda

Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/BIG-WIRES-updates-slides 

• Mary Anna Mancuso, Contributor at The Hill & RepublicEN EcoRight Leadership Council Member

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(0:00) Intro & Agenda

In this episode of Citizens Climate Radio, listeners hear stories, insights, and innovative approaches to tackling climate change. From the unique perspective of a climate change comedian who marries humor with serious environmental advocacy to the empowering tales of youth activism at the global COP28 summit, this episode showcases diverse methods of engagement and action. Highlighting the importance of resilience, space for mental and emotional health, and the groundbreaking work of package-free shopping, it will inspire you while providing you with practical guidance. 

A Climate Change Comedian?

Brian Ettling shares his compelling journey from a park ranger to an influential climate change comedian, a story that encapsulates the essence of turning gloom into bloom. With seventeen years of experience as a seasonal ranger in the majestic landscapes of Crater Lake National Park and Everglades National Park, Brian shares how a simple yet profound question about global warming from a park visitor sparked a drastic shift in his career path and life purpose. 

“Excuse me, all-knowing ranger,” a visitor said. “I have a question.” I smiled, humbly curious and certain I had the answer. “What’s happening with global warming in the Everglades?” Wait. What?! I knew nothing about global warming, and visitors hate when park rangers tell you, 'I don’t know.

Brian spent time researching the question and was shocked by what he discovered. 

The information I learned scared me. What the (bleep)! Because of climate change, sea level was expected to rise at least three feet in Everglades National Park by the end of the 21st century. The sea would swallow up most of the park and nearby Miami since the highest point of the park road is less than three feet above sea level. UGH, I hate you, climate change!

This pivotal moment led him to deeply research climate change, eventually inspiring him to merge his passion for environmental advocacy with his unique sense of humor. An amateur video on YouTube led to two national television appearances on Comedy Central’s Tosh.0. Daniel Tosh introduced America to the goofball who became the Climate Change Comedian. 

Brian's narrative is a vivid testament to the power of individual transformation and the role of creativity in addressing serious global issues. He illustrates this by recounting defining moments in his journey, and he invites us to experience the journey complete with silly sound effects and a musical score. 

Brian Ettling is a dynamic climate change communicator from Portland, Oregon, with a deep history of engagement with Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL). Over the years, he has worn multiple hats within CCL, including legislative liaison, co-chapter leader, and Missouri State co-coordinator. His dedication is evident in his attendance at nine CCL international conferences in Washington, D.C., where he served as a breakout speaker. Additionally, Brian has contributed his insights at the Canadian National CCL conference, showcasing his unwavering commitment to climate advocacy.

For a complete transcript and more, visit https://citizensclimatelobby.org/blog/podcast/episode-92-theres-something-funny-about-climate-change/

Resilience Corner

Tamara Staton explores the nuanced relationship between space—both physical and emotional—and climate advocacy. Tamara emphasizes the importance of creating space for rest and reflection to enhance effectiveness in climate activism. She illustrates this with personal anecdotes, suggesting, "When I create space, I enable presence and perspective... Creating space widens our window of tolerance, allowing us to respond with grace, ease, and courage to the challenges we face." She underscores the critical balance between passionate activism and the need for self-care to sustain long-term engagement in climate work.

Tamara Staton is the Education and Resilience Coordinator for Citizens Climate Education.

Get more tips and resources by visiting The Resilience Hub on CCL Community.

NEW! The CCL Youth Corner

The Citizens Climate Lobby Youth Corner introduces a vibrant platform where middle and high school students across the USA amplify their voices on climate action. Host Veda Ganesan highlights their proactive efforts to make their voices heard at COP28. She shares the important role CCL Youth volunteer Vinay Karthik played at the international conference in Dubai. In the next Youth Corner, you will learn about The Great School Electrification Challenge.

Dig Deeper: Check out the CCL Youth Blog.

Veda Ganesan is the producer and host of CCR’s new Citizens Climate Lobby Youth Corner; it is a project of CCL Youth. Veda also hosts Sustainable Cents podcast. 

Good News 

Damon Motz-Storey (they, them) shines a spotlight on the Realm Refillery in Portland, Oregon, a pioneering package-free grocery store. It exemplifies sustainable shopping by offering a wide variety of bulk goods, from flour to laundry detergent, all without disposable packaging, presenting a compelling model for reducing single-use plastics and living one's environmental values.

Damon Motz-Storey is an active climate advocate and the Oregon Chapter Director of the Sierra Club, dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and environmental conservation.

In other Good News, Peterson Toscano highlights two innovative climate change exhibitions in New York City museums. At the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Life Cycles: The Materials of Contemporary Design showcases the intersection of design and sustainability, featuring Solar Ivy, a system of small solar panels resembling leaves that generate energy from sunlight and wind. Additionally, the Climate Museum in SOHO focuses entirely on climate change, currently featuring “The End of Fossil Fuel," and encourages visitors to engage in actionable steps toward environmental advocacy.

If you have a Good News Story to share, contact us: Radio @ CitizensClimate.org

Take a Meaningful Next Step

Each month, we will suggest meaningful, achievable, and measurable next steps for you to consider. We recognize that action is an antidote to despair. If you need help with what you can do, please take a look at one of the following next steps. 

• If you are in middle or high school, visit CCLUSA.org/Youth to learn about their Great School Electrification Challenge!

Stay Tuned

In the March 2024 episode, you will meet Erica Valdez, the newest team member of Citizens Climate Radio. Erica, Horace, and Peterson will engage in a discussion on the various roles individuals can adopt in addressing climate change. Eileen Flannagan, a Quaker author, activist, and trainer, will elaborate on the four roles change-makers often play: Advocate, Rebel, Helper, and Organizer. They ask, “What is your role on this new planet???” The episode is set to premiere on Friday, March 22nd, 2024.

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 content, guests, and style of the show. You can fill it out anonymously and answer whichever questions you like. You can also reach us by email: radio @citizensclimatelobby.org

In July 2007, CCL founder Marshall Saunders asked Sam Daley-Harris to coach him on starting the first CCL chapters. Sam continued to coach CCL leaders over the next 7 years. Sam founded the anti-poverty lobby RESULTS in 1980, co-founded the Microcredit Summit campaign in 1995, and founded Civic Courage in 2012. The completely revised and updated edition of Sam’s book, Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy, was released on January 9, 2024.

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

Join Citizens' Climate International Executive Director Joseph Robertson for training that will provide a summary of the main impacts, takeaways and results of this past December's gathering of the UN Conference of the Parties in Dubai. 

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Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/cop28outcomes  

Join CCL's Communications Team Flannery Winchester and Charlotte Ward for a training that will provide a broad overview of the opportunities chapters have as we begin 2024 to engage with their local news media on climate solutions. 

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

Join CCL's Vice President of Government Affairs Ben Pendergrass for a training that will orient CCL volunteers towards what we expect the Farm Bill process to look like for the year, what CCL's priorities will be within the package and how CCL advocates can work with their members of Congress to help ensure that the climate provisions are maintained.

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Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/farm-bill-overview  

Are you ready for a dose of optimism in the climate change dialogue? The latest bonus episode of Citizens Climate Radio is here to deliver just that. Host Peterson Toscano steps away from the script to bring you a candid and uplifting update on climate action that's happening right where it matters: in Congress.

The episode includes the announcement of a significant legislative win—the passage of the PROVE IT Act through the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. This bipartisan effort signifies a crucial step toward using trade policy to curb global emissions. It's a testament to the power of collective advocacy, highlighting the tireless efforts of volunteers who pushed the agenda forward.

But the good news doesn't stop there. Peterson offers a tantalizing preview of the 2024 season, promising a lineup of extraordinary guests and innovative segments. We're talking about climate change comedy that strikes a balance between laughter and learning, the return of the Resilience Corner, and the debut of the CCL Youth Corner. 

The blog post delves into the upcoming special series, including "Voces del Cambio," a Spanish language podcast focusing on climate issues in Latin America, and a true crime podcast that investigates the sinister turn in the US political climate regarding environmental issues. These series not only aim to entertain but also to educate and inspire action.

Citizens Climate Radio continues to emphasize its role as a platform for its audience, seeking input and engagement from listeners to shape the show's future. The episode serves as a call to action, inviting everyone to contribute their voices to the climate advocacy movement.

We invite you to engage with a community that's making real change. It's a reminder that amidst the daunting news that often overshadows environmental discourse, there are victories to be celebrated and progress to be acknowledged. Visit www.cclusa.org/action to find out how you can take part in monthly actions along with thousands of others. 

Don't miss out on this inspiring episode. Tune in to Citizens Climate Radio, get involved, and let's continue to move the needle together in the fight against climate change.