Please note the following opportunity to be informed about climate change and what citizens can do to be a part of the solution. This year’s Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL)’s summer conference will be held at our own First Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 23 from 10am-4:3 pm. Attendance is free, though donations are welcome. Attend In-Person or online via Zoom. Register at https://ccliowa2022.eventbrite.com
The Iowa volunteers of Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) will host a Summer Conference in Decorah, Iowa on Saturday, July 23, 2022. The event will include presentations by Jim Martin- Schramm (Clean Energy Districts—First Lutheran member), Chris Jones (Water Quality in Iowa) and Ayman Sharif (Community-Driven Climate Resilience Planning). In addition there will be workshops on the basics of climate advocacy, and on CCL chapter development. Attendees will leave with a new understanding of how to advocate for national climate policy. People who are not in CCL and members of the media are welcome to attend.
“I’m looking forward to attending this year’s statewide CCL meeting in Decorah because I know I will encounter great people, find some good ideas, and develop skills I need to be a productive member of Citizens Climate Lobby,” said Jim Martin-Schramm, a local volunteer. Jim is chair of the Decorah Sustainability Commission.
In addition to hosting events like these, the Iowa chapters of Citizens’ Climate Lobby regularly communicate with Senators Grassley and Ernst, and Representatives Hinson, Miller-Meeks, Axne and Feenstra about climate solutions they can support in Congress.
In particular, CCL supports the bipartisan Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 2307), which will drive down America’s carbon pollution 30% in the first five years, and put us on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050. As it does so, it will also improve health and save lives by reducing the pollution that Americans breathe, and it will boost the economy with millions of jobs, thanks to a monthly dividend going into Americans’ pockets. The bill has 96 members signed on.
“Here in Iowa we’re already feeling the impact of climate change, whether it is drought conditions in the northwest, heavier and earlier rains in the spring, or flooding along the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers,” said Peter Rolnick, Iowa state coordinator for CCL. “Events like these help educate more members of our community and show our members of
Congress that we’re ready for climate action.”
For more information, contact Peter Rolnick, prolnick@icloud.com, 660-342-2671 or Leslie Sand, lessand52@gmail.com, 563-419-1134.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a national nonprofit organization with local chapters across the country. The group has been the primary catalyst for the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. To learn more about their work, visit citizensclimatelobby.org.
