Citizens' Climate Lobby

Steps to take and CCL tools available to successfully prepare for a lobby visit with your elected official or their staff. Additional discussion on the meeting roles and the power of practice.

What does it mean to be a citizen advocate? What’s our role? How do we build relationships with our members of Congress? And what’s our most valuable tool? CCL veterans Bill Barron, Andy Beahrs and Amy Bennett share their thoughts on what it means to be a citizen advocate.

It is easy to get confused with all the terms, concepts and processes used in the United States Congress. Knowing the terminology and how Congress operates will not only help you become a better climate advocate but also strengthen the relationship you have with your congressional office.

How do some people land on a path that leads them to climate action?  Host, Peterson Toscano explores this question by featuring two passionate climate advocactes. Dr. Hugh Sealy, is an environmental engineer in the Caribbean. He has influenced environmental policy in Barbados, Grenda, St. Lucia, and Dominica. In addition to his work in helping low-lying island nations in a time of climate change, Dr. Sealy also served as a member of the Clean Development Mechanism or CDM for the UN Framework on Climate Change. He shares some of his story, discusses the CDM carbon pricing.  Adia Samba-Quee, is just begining her career as a climate advocate. A 14 year old student in Springfield, MA, Adia makes connection between local pollution, asthma, and climate action. She hopes to use comedy to engage people in deeper conversations about climate.  Art House We travel back to the future to hear from climate historian, Dr. Timothy Meadows. He broadcasts from the year 2176 to look back to our time. In this segment he highlights the incredible acheivements of three engineers known as The Three Beans. Starting around 2028 they made their mark as creative and skilled designers of major adaptation projects. They also operated with style and playfulness. The Three Beans stirred up hope in a difficult time. They became three of the biggest celebrities of the mid-21st Century. Hear from an eye-witness from the future and also discover what they are advertizing 150 years from now.  Puzzler Last month Peterson asked listeners, In addition to the welcome of animal species and future generations, why are you passionate about climate change/ We hear from listener, Dr. Stephen Hanson who talks about climate change and health. Dave Barbier, the Sustainability coordinator for University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point, connects climate action with national security.  New Puzzler Question You are talking to someone named Barbara. You helped her see that climate change is a serious issue that needs her attention. Barbara then asks you, What should I do next? This is the question climate communicators long to hear. So what do you say when someone wants to know more about climate change? What are resources you recommend that help people better undertstand the issues and how we can respond? Tell me about books, websites, video series, podcasts, and more. Send Peterson your answers. Leave your name, contact info, and where you are from. Get back to him by May, 15, 2017. You can email your answers to radio@citizensclimate.org or  leave a voicemail of 3 minutes or less at 570.483.8194. (+1 if calling from outside the USA.)  Dig Deeper Learn more about the UNFCC's Clean Development Mechanism by visiting their site. Bloomburg News article Emisson Credits Seen Heading for Revival after 4 Year Slump Children’s Environmental Health Disparities:Black and African American Children and Asthma Climate and Health Conference at Carter Center in Atlanta, GA  (Full Recording) You can hear Citizens’ Climate Radio on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Podbean, and now on Northern Spirit Radio. Also, feel free to connect with other listeners, suggest program ideas, and respond to programs in the 

Motivational Interviewing (MI) offers you a package of skills to collaborate with anyone, especially “difficult people.” In this webinar, psychologist Dr. David Christian will show you how to us MI to more effectively connect with your members of Congress, local leaders, or even members of your own CCL group. See how MI can boost your effectiveness! MI has thirty years of research and 1200 studies demonstrating its effectiveness.

Katherine Hammack is an experienced leader in the energy and environmental field who was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate, to be the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. She worked with the Obama administration, focusing on Net Zero (energy, water, and waste), resiliency and sustainability for all of the Army’s installations worldwide. Katherine is an expert on Climate Change and Sustainability strategies and oversaw LEED certification for the largest LEED project in the world when she was with Ernst & Young. She has extensively spoken around the world at conferences and in radio interviews regarding sustainability, resilience and net-zero strategies.

Katherine Hammack is an experienced leader in the energy and environmental field who was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate, to be the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. She worked with the Obama administration, focusing on Net Zero (energy, water, and waste), resiliency and sustainability for all of the Army’s installations worldwide. Katherine is an expert on Climate Change and Sustainability strategies and oversaw LEED certification for the largest LEED project in the world when she was with Ernst & Young. She has extensively spoken around the world at conferences and in radio interviews regarding sustainability, resilience and net-zero strategies.

Storytelling is a vital skill to have when talking about climate change. In this episode podcst host, Peterson Toscano, introduces you to Aaron Thier, a master storyteller. In his book Mr. Eternity, novelist Aaron Thier takes readers on a 1,000 year odyssey. The main character calls himself Daniel Defoe. We never learn his real name. Old Dan can't seem to die. Five different narrators in five different periods from 1500 to 2500 bump into this traveler. The book is brilliant, hilarious, deeply moving, weird. It is essential reading for climate advocates. Learn why Aaron wrote the book and the challenges novelists face when telling climate stories. Aaron also reads extended excerpts from the book.  Art House Joining us in the Art House is Clara Fang. Clara is a writer, environmentalist, and a photographer currently based in Detroit, Michigan. She is also the higher education liaison at Citizen’s Climate Lobby.   Her poems have been published in numerous journals. She has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She won The Lyric poetry contest, and was a finalist for the Benjamin Saltman Poetry Award.  Clara was born in Shanghai, China and immigrated to the United States when she was nine years old. She reads the poem, Love in the Time of Climate Change.  Puzzler We feature two excellent answers to Crusty Ole Charlie's complaint that we can't "play nice" when dealing with business and government.  New Puzzler Question Believe it or not many people are not all that concerned about animal extinction or the plight of future generations. For them there needs to be another climate hook--one that is closer to home. So here is your question: Besides the welfare of animal species and future generations, why are you passionate about climate change? Send Peterson your answers. Leave your name, contact info, and where you are from. Get back to him by April, 15, 2017. You can email your answers to radio@citizensclimate.org or  leave a voicemail of 3 minutes or less at 570.483.8194. (+1 if calling from outside the USA.)  Dig Deeper Heard novelists Aaron Thier and Amitav Ghosh speak abou the challenges of climate fiction -- Guardian Books Podcast Read Rebecca Evanhoe's interivew with Aaron Thier -- The Drowned Coast on Burrow Press Read more climate-themed poetry -- Keep it in the Ground in The Guardian You can hear Citizens’ Climate Radio on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Podbean, and now on Northern Spirit Radio. Also, feel free to connect with other listeners, suggest program ideas, and respond to programs in the Citizens’ Climate Radio Facebook group or on Twitter at @CitizensCRadio.

One of the most effective ways to creating the political will for climate solutions is through outreach and education. In 2016, 624 CCL volunteers scheduled and gave 1158 presentations for clubs, groups, classes, and other community organizations. In this lesson, CCL's Proactive Outreach Action Team Leader Todd Elvins not only discusses the process of scheduling a presentation, but also the resources and support available for schedulers.

One of the most effective ways to creating the political will for climate solutions is through outreach and education. In 2016, 624 CCL volunteers scheduled and gave 1158 presentations for clubs, groups, classes, and other community organizations. In this lesson, CCL's Proactive Outreach Action Team Leader Todd Elvins not only discusses the process of scheduling a presentation, but also the resources and support available for schedulers.

Devashree Saha will discuss the decoupling of decarbonization and the economy, and how carbon emissions are declining despite a growing economy. She is a senior policy associate and associate fellow at the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program. Her research primarily focuses on the intersection of clean energy and economic development policy, including the transition to a clean energy economy. Prior to joining Brookings, Saha worked at the National Governors Association, where her work spanned clean energy, transportation, and land use planning issues. She holds a Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s in political science from Purdue University.

Environmental Justice places specific demands on the development of climate policy and the forging of political alliances. Regional Coordinator and Climate and Environmental Justice Action Team member David Holmquist reviews the history and principles of the Environmental Justice movement to set these demands in the context of CCL’s work.

So much protesting, marching, and disruption happening these days. What are the best ways to get governments to address pollution and the effects of global warming? Eileen Flanagan, a writer, a social change teacher, a Quaker, and an activist, chats with host, Peterson Toscano about the four different roles people have traditionally taken in change movements. Are you a rebel, an advocate, an organizer, or a helper? Maybe a little bit of each. How do these models apply to organizations. Amani Thurman, a college student who has spent time protesting but has begun to do volunteer lobbying weighs in. You will also hear under-reported good news happening with American Conservatives and climate change. Art House And now for some climate comedy... Elizabeth Jeremiah, a comic character created by Peterson, talks about blessings and curses. To help drive her point home, she explains how carbon dioxide polluted by humans acts as a generational curse, one that falls upon the heads of the childresn "and the children's children's children." Drawing on lessons she learned in church, Elizabeth Jeremiah issues a call for national repentance. Turn away from that flamboyant, sinful, fossil fuel lifestyle!  Puzzler Last month Simon asked, "But is all warming bad? Can't a little global warming be a good thing in colder places?" We hear your answers and present you with a new puzzler question. This one is inspired by a question Charles Ashurst sent in. You are at meeting with other climate advocates. There are the fresh young faces. There are also the seasoned older faces.  And there's Charlie, a crusty old curmudgeon who's been on the climate change band wagon since the 1970s. You just heard a presentation about the need  build on shared values with lawmakers and leaders in the fossil fuel industry. Charlie blurts out, "Shared values? Really? These are determined folks we're up against. They don't play nice. We are not going to win by playing nice with them." What do you say to crusty old Charlie? Send in your answers. Leave your name, contact info, and where you are from. Get back to Peterson by March, 15, 2017. You can email your answers to radio @ citizensclimate.org that’s radio @ citizensclimate.org You can also text or leave a voicemail of 3 minutes or less at 570.483.8194. (+1 if calling from outside the USA.) That number again is 570.483.8194 Dig Deeper A Strategic Framework Describing The Eight Stages of Successful Social Movement by Bill Moyer Climate Leadership Council -- A Conservative Response to Global Warming Can Republicans Find Their Voice on Climate Change via a Carbon Tax? Union of Concerned Scientists   You can hear Citizens’ Climate Radio on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Podbean, and now on Northern Spirit Radio. Also, feel free to connect with other listeners, suggest program ideas, and respond to programs in the Citizens’ Climate Radio Facebook group or on Twitter at @CitizensCRadio.

Are you struggling to explain Carbon Fee and Dividend or the benefits of market-based solutions with your progressive or left-leaning friends or family? Well, maybe it’s the way its messaged. Host Carla Wise from CCL’s Progressive Outreach Team will explore some of the theory behind the liberal worldview and summarize key takeaways we can apply in our conversations with those on the left.

Are you struggling to explain Carbon Fee and Dividend or the benefits of market-based solutions with your progressive or left-leaning friends or family? Well, maybe it’s the way its messaged. Host Carla Wise from CCL’s Progressive Outreach Team will explore some of the theory behind the liberal worldview and summarize key takeaways we can apply in our conversations with those on the left.