Wanted: Political Will to Save Our Planet
It is frustrating to see Washington waffle on critical climate policy. The NY Times recently reported Senator Manchin’s decision not to support the Clean Energy Performance Program. With this, we see the promise of a rapid transition to clean, renewable electricity fade. This failure in political action, not technology, is the biggest problem in addressing climate change. However, there is still hope for an effective climate policy in the budget reconciliation to achieve similar outcomes and reduce emissions by 50% by the end of this decade.
We have the technology - what we need is the political will
Kingsmill Bond of Carbon Tracker argues that we have or will have the technologies to go net-zero in carbon. He also argues that if the US is to remain a superpower it must "embrace superior, cheaper technologies."
A Price on Carbon will Put the Fire Out
It’s time to put a price on carbon pollution, one of the most effective ways to address climate change. Thankfully, support for a price on carbon pollution is accelerating in Congress. Senators Whitehouse and Schatz introduced the Save Our Future Act, a carbon pricing bill, in June. HR 2307, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, now has 85 co-sponsors. Rep. Kahele co-sponsored this bill in July.
Tired But Necessary Refrain: U.S. Must Establish a Carbon Price
A price on carbon pollution is a must for the U.S. This report from the Brookings Instutute summarizes the reasons.
“The consensus for carbon pricing explained”
This article by Jerry Hinkle, CCL Research Coordinator, offers excellent guidance on responses to some of the key criticisms of carbon pricing. This is a recommended reading for anyone interested in carbon pricing and is especially helpful for those conversations where questions about efficacy and the challenges of getting carbon legislation passed.
It's Easy, Efficient, and Effective
Each morning I like to follow CCL's social media posts and recently read their “Take Action - Call Congress” posting. In the Comments there was a reader who said simply, “I Called”. This was all the motivation needed to take action.
I clicked the CCL link - cclusa.org/house. After entering my name and address, my representative’s information was displayed. I was offered the chance to email and phone HI-02 district Representative Kai Kahele. The option to call Congress includes a short suggested script and the email Congress option has a similar message, a simple “Please support the inclusion of carbon pricing in the budget reconciliation package”. I sent my email and made my call.
Hope After Outrage and Despair
The IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report, released on August 9, is the most significant global climate report in a decade. It was based on over 14,000 studies, written by over 200 scientists from the international community and approved by 195 governments across the globe. The report reiterates what many climate scientists and advocates have been calling attention to for decades - global warming is a threat to the health and well-being of our planet, that burning fossil fuel is a root cause, and that climate disasters that we have been seeing with increasing frequency and intensity will only be exacerbated unless we act with urgency to reduce global-warming emissions.
Rep. Kai Kahele Co-Sponsors Carbon Pricing Bill
Rep. Kahele has co-sponsored H.R. 2307 - the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act!
If passed, H.R. 2307 will introduce a gradually increasing price on carbon-intensive products like fossil fuels, a dividend payment to households that the revenue will fund, and a carbon border adjustment to protect our businesses and industries.
5 minutes for climate action
We have a special opportunity to go big on climate action in the U.S. Senate. How? By including a carbon price in this year’s budget reconciliation package. Yes, the $3.5 Trillion budget reconciliation.
Support the Growing Climate Solutions Act
Citizens’ Climate Lobby supports the Growing Climate Solutions Act (S.1251). This Act creates a program that will allow farmers and landowners to participate in carbon credit markets. Regenerative agriculture, afforestation, and reforestation promise significant carbon sequestration potential.
New Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act Co-Sponsors
Support for H.R. 2307 (the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act) is growing. As of today, we have a total of 57 co-sponsors. The latest co-sponsors are Rep. Mark Pocan (WI, District 2) and Rep. John Yarmuth (KY, District 3).
Dr. Chip Fletcher on Climate Change
On May 8, 2021, Dr. Chip Fletcher, national authority and professor of Earth Sciences at UH Manoa, delivered a presentation on climate change and its effects, and the range of solutions required to not only slow global warming, but also to mitigate its consequences.
Our website is LIVE!
CCL Hawaii is proud to announce the launch of our website - citizensclimatelobbyhawaii.org