Inspiring Political Will for the Climate Movement

Combat Climate Change Today

Hello there Sunshine! Welcome back to Save Our Happy Place, your weekly dose of climate and environmental activism. This week we are talking about effectiveness in action. How to add a little ¡Pow! and panache to your everyday activism, because we know you are busy and that you care. So whatever we do to combat climate change needs to have a little oomph!

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Harnessing Political POWer

For the Climate Movement

Why is Political POWer so important?

The largest contributions to climate change come from our systemic dependency on fossil fuels and our general consumption of natural resources. The fastest way to address these systemic issues is with systemic change. Congressional spending and regulations that alter energy usage, hold big businesses accountable, and put people and the planet over profit are crucial to ward off climate change. All politicians’ resolve to drive change depends on the demands of their constituency. The most powerful voice in this process still belongs to you, the individual constituent.

Who is best suited to address politicians? 

TL;DR, You are! They need to hear from you, the voter. Having an expert-level understanding of the issue or solution is not necessary, just keep your narrative authentic to you and heart-felt. Make sure to be factual and accurate - working through a campaign or script from a climate organization can help with this. 

“There is no entry criteria for speaking up for what you care about.” - Cass Hebron, Editor of The Green Fix, a newsletter for people who want to do more to fight the climate crisis but are busy, broke and bombarded with information.

What’s the most effective way to reach them?
Political Actions In Order of Effectiveness:

• Visit Your Representative at their office on your own or with a group. (Like Citizen’s Climate Lobby or Sunrise Movement)

• Call Your Representative Directly 

• Vote for Environmentalist Candidates

• Speak Up at Town Hall Meetings

• Send Snail Mail to Your Representative

• Write a  Letter to the Editor of Your Local Paper

• Email Your Representative

• Sign a Petition to be Delivered to Your Representative

• Utilize Social Media to Directly Tag a Politician

Source: “Me, A High Powered Lobbyist?” - by David Stookey of Climate Dog, a newsletter sniffing out the climate crisis and ways to protect ourselves.

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New Year, Same Bill

Demand We Pass the Build Back Better Agenda for the Climate 

The Budget Reconciliation Bill has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and is currently being negotiated by the Senate. The bill holds paramount pieces of Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda that the U.S. needs in order to meet its carbon emission cutting goals and mitigate the worst effects of climate change. 

Negotiations over Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda have been going on for almost a year. One particular Senator has been a thorn in the side of getting this bill passed, but has recently said: 

“The climate thing is one that we probably can come to an agreement much easier than anything else,” - Democratic, Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia 

Congress must know we have not forgotten about the dire need for this climate policy to pass. It is our best chance to tackle the climate crisis at the scale that science demands by investing in our communities.

Here are three of the most effective ways to advocate for the Build Back Better Act while in the comfort of your own home.

Call Your Senator Demanding They Pass Climate Policy

• What? Call your senator demanding their support for the climate policy in the Build Back Better Agenda.

• How? Click the link, fill out the form, and a text with instructions will connect you directly to your representative. (Estimated 5 minutes)

Snail Mail Your Senator Demanding They Pass Climate Policy

• What? Send an actual paper letter to your senator demanding their support of the climate policy in the Build Back Better Agenda.

• How? Click the link for templated letter and instructions for sending. (Estimated Time 5 minutes)

Email Your Senator Demanding They Pass Climate Policy

• What? Send an email to your senator demanding their support of the climate policy in the Build Back Better Agenda.

• How? Click the link to send a message. (Estimated 1 minute)

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Some Rays of Sunshine

The Headlines We’re Happy to See

Here are a few recent policy changes as a result of advocacy from activists like you.

• European regulators propose ‘dramatic’ new regulation for BPA - Read More

• Biden boosts fuel-economy standards to fight climate change - Read More

• Alameda, CA judge orders a statewide halt to use of pesticides harmful to honeybees - Read More

• More Than Half Of Nebraskans Guaranteed To Receive Clean Electricity By 2050 -  Read More 

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