Citizens' Climate Lobby

CCL wants all candidates to move climate to the top of their policy agenda so (1) plan for lots of folks to attend campaign events this summer, (2) prepare for the events by crafting effective questions to ask, and (3) get to know and educate candidates on CCL, whether they are doing campaign events or not.  Join this training to walk through CCL's main goals heading into the election season picking up steam and how we can engage with candidates and members of Congress ahead of the election. Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/candidate-event-slides  Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/resources/item/19/264  Sample Town Hall Questions: https://community.citizensclimate.org/resources/item/19/350  Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:53) Types of candidate events (5:56) Learning about all candidates (9:02) Developing strategic questions (12:45) Sample Questions (18:36) Working with incumbents (21:20) Staying nonpartisan and bipartisan

Get to know Rachel Kerestes, CCL's incoming Executive Director! More information about Rachel here: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/blog/news/ccl-new-executive-director/ 

In this episode of Citizens Climate Radio, hosts Horace Mo and Erica Valdez bring together diverse voices to discuss current efforts to address climate change. Horace Mo speaks with Ann E Burg, a celebrated author known for compelling historical novels for young readers, about her newly published novel “Force of Nature–A Novel of Rachel Carson” which opens a new door for readers to experience the life of Carson, a well-known environmental pioneer in the US, by reading her field notes and Ann’s innovative writing. Erica Valdez discusses the American fossil fuel divestment movement, highlighting the work of younger generations. She has a conversation with Aly Horton, another student taking the initiative to promote the fossil fuel divestment movement on their campus at Northern Arizona University. In the Resilience Corner, Tamara Staton speaks on mastering the banjo and how this uniquely relates to addressing climate change. Finally, we have a Good News story from Peterson Toscano regarding South Africa's energ

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.  Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Highlights (7:34) Conversation with CCL Alum Hill Staffers Morgan and Kesten (27:50) Q&A Discussion (30:58) CCL's April Actions (33:35) Rachel's Message to CCL! June Action Sheet: https://cclusa.org/actionsheet  Summer Conference: https://cclusa.org/summer    Pre-Call Video:  https://vimeo.com/954652376 

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. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:18) The Importance of Leads (12:08) Advance Planning (15:41) Meeting Planning Suggestions (32:10) Practice Scenarios (39:41) Final Considerations Presentation Slides: http://cclusa.org/lobbylead   Training on CCL Community: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/working-with-congress/lobbying-401 

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 ) Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:51) Primary Asks Review (17:46) Secondary Asks Review & Leaders Letters (22:29) Legislative Landscape Q&A Discussion ( https://vimeo.com/949937535/709b52da77 ) Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/legislative-plan-slides   CCL Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/resources/item/19/459 

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 fr

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.  Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (3:38) Primary Ask: PROVE IT Act (15:11) Primary Ask: Clean Energy Permitting Reform (29:06) Secondary Asks (37:07) Leaders Letter and Final Thoughts Q&A Discussion ( https://vimeo.com/948787304/62252de422 ) Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/june-asks-slides  CCL Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/resources/item/19/185 

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.  

Curve balls and objections cannot only stress us out but also potentially derail conversations. Equipping yourself with the skills to overcome these scenarios will lead to more informed discussions about the benefits of our policy and empower legislators and others to become partners in passing the climate solutions we need.   Skip ahead to the following section(s): Introductions and Agenda (from beginning)  Process For Overcoming Objections (4:19) What About China & India? (9:28) Concern for Low-Income Earners (13:29) Working Across The Aisle (18:38) Handling Challenging Questions Resource (22:36) Climate Skepticism (24:20) Difficult Situations (27:50) Final Review (33:54) 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.  Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:20) Marshall's Story of Empowerment (5:40) Our Opportunity (10:50) Stories Of Empowerment (14:06) The Constituent Advantage (23:55) Building Relationships 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/  Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (3:00) Dr. Patel's Presentation (20:06) Q&A Discussion

Now that the Inflation Reduction Act has changed the climate policy and clean technology landscape in the United States, prior modeling about the effectiveness of policies like a carbon price has become outdated. Fortunately, a new report has been published to outline the emissions-reducing potential of several climate policies in a post-IRA world, including carbon pricing. Join CCL Research Coordinator Dana Nuccitelli for a training about this important new research. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:01) Pre-Inflation Reduction Act Policies (10:45) Hamilton-Brookings Research (24:43) Climate Leadership Council Report (30:57) Looking Ahead Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/post-IRA-carbon-price-slides  

In this episode of Citizens Climate Radio, co-hosts Peterson Toscano and Erica Valdez explore the theme of climate change and its impact on Antarctica. They interviewed Elizabeth Rush, author of “The Quickening, Creation, and Community at the Ends of the Earth,” who shares her experiences and insights from a research expedition to Thwaites Glacier. They also spoke with Brett Cease, Vice President of Programming for Citizens' Climate Lobby, who traveled to Antarctica and shared his observations. Additionally, they discuss sustainable fashion, resilience, and the Great School Electrification Challenge. For full show notes, photos, and transcripts, visit www.cclusa.org/radio Journey to Thwaites Glacier with writer Elizabeth Rush Elizabeth Rush joined a research expedition aboard an icebreaker in 2019 and headed for Thwaites Glacier for 54 days. This remote and deteriorating glacier is critical in understanding global sea level rise. Her book documents this journey, weaving together the awe-inspiring encounters w

The CCL Government Affairs team is recommending that all chapters secure at least one letter from a trusted messenger to their member of Congress (MOC) and deliver the letter in a June lobby meeting. Folks in your chapter likely know local elected officials and these community leaders are very often trusted messengers to their MOCs. Or you can use our CCL Community training to identify and meet with CEOs and business owners who may be trusted messengers.  This training provides some ideas to start the process of identifying and recruiting allies in our communities. Some of the best tools for convincing friends their voices make a difference and walks us through how to start inventorying your group and potential allies who can support CCL's efforts at the national level. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:30) Why Grasstops to Influence your member of Congress? (4:00) What is a trusted messenger? (13:28) How to identify trusted messengers (19:17) Our editable template letter Pr

Join CCL for our April monthly meeting to hear more from our campaign partners Potential Energy about our focus for Earth Month on talking about climate change. For such a big challenge, we don’t talk much about climate change. All that silence means that climate change can feel less important to pay attention to than it really is. After all, if we’re not talking about it, how big can the problem be? For Earth Month, CCL volunteers are having climate conversations across the country with their friends, family, and communities. Our goal? 25,000 climate conversations that have a ripple effect, leading to more conversations in families, communities, and with elected leaders.  We'll be joined by Ernesto Alcantar, who leads Potential Energy's messaging, research and strategy across several topic areas, including extreme weather, electric vehicles, and nuclear energy. Before joining the team, Ernesto was a management consultant at Boston Consulting Group, where he led strategy and transformation work across sustain

Especially with big tabling events for Earth Day and our annual conference coming up, many chapters may be in need of support in figuring out how to manage their local funds. This training will walk through various ways to raise and manage money in your group for things like chapter activities and conference scholarships.  Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (1:55) General Overview Considerations (5:20) Ideas for Conference Scholarships  (12:13) Managing Money At Group Level CCL Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/resources/item/19/139 

Find out more: https://cclusa.org/conversations  For such a big challenge, we don’t talk much about climate change. All that silence means that climate change can feel less important to pay attention to than it really is. After all, if we’re not talking about it, how big can the problem be? For Earth Month, CCL volunteers are having climate conversations across the country with their friends, family, and communities. Our goal? 25,000 climate conversations that have a ripple effect, leading to more conversations in families, communities, and with elected leaders.  We'll hear from Dr. Katharine Hayhoe about her best tips for having a successful conversation about climate change, learn more about how you can participate in the campaign and log your conversations and highlight more resources that are available from Science Moms and Potential Energy. Join us for the launch of our big Earth Month campaign! Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:48) Background (9:56) How It Works (14:01

Join CCL's Diversity & Inclusion Director Karina Ramirez for a training that will provide an update on all of the Diversity and Inclusion initiatives CCL has been up to in the past year of our programming.   Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (4:05) Overview of Programs (10:01) Goals and Progress (19:28) Resources and Recommendations   Find out more: https://community.citizensclimate.org/diversity-inclusion-at-ccl  Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/di-updates-2024