How many climate calls? Not any.
Climate Changemakers
A modern climate advocacy network equipping busy productive people to advocate for systems-level U.S. climate solutions.
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Last week, Naomi, a fellow Climate Changemakers member, called her state senator and asked the staffer how many other climate-related calls they've received. The response: “Not any for a while.”?
Wow, right? It's a question I ask all the time too, and I'm consistently disappointed to realize that there's less climate advocacy going on than we hope/ assume/ need.? It makes me think of the legendary Congressman John Lewis and his words: "If not us, then who? If not now, then when?"
We know that advocacy works. We know that we can make the difference between putting and/or keeping climate action on the agenda vs letting it slip to the back burner.??We witness this effect personally in our conversations, we hear about this effect anecdotally, and we read about this effect in peer-reviewed research on effective advocacy strategies.
Across the country, we're asking our representatives to pay attention and step up.?In these first 3 weeks of our Climate Ambition campaign, changemakers have sent over 100 personalized emails and calls to elected officials in 20 states! And because Naomi made that call during Thursday's Hour of Action, that staffer's answer will now be: “at least one recently.”
All of this is impactful, and it's also energizing. I hope you feel that too.
I'm also thrilled that: Vox gave Climate Changemakers a shoutout last week, the Madison Hour of Action team is fast-growing and amped up, and the EPA issued a progress report on the grants we advocated for last fall — more on all that below.?
In gratitude,
Eliza Nemser, PhD
Executive Director & co-founder, Climate Changemakers
PS. April 1-5 will be a new Action Plan for just that week! One word: methane.
NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS
ACTION PLAN: WEEK 4?of 5???? Directly dial up "climate ambition"
Policymakers will not prioritize climate action unless constituents like us speak up and apply public pressure. In a pivotal election year, every elected official is more responsive to constituents' opinions.?Right now is a critical time to?take strategic action proven to directly dial up our reps' climate ambition (really!).
Accomplish these five Action Playbooks?in order, anytime on your own, or add an Hour of Action to your calendar to take action alongside fellow changemakers coast-to-coast! ?
Never been to one of our facilitated meetups??Expect to make?meaningful progress, no prep needed. It?might just be the most productive hour of your week.? Learn more.
PRESS SPOTLIGHT ?? Vox spotlights Climate Changemakers
Vox just featured?Climate Changemakers?as "the group to join for the time-pressed."?See the recent article answering questions from readers, including what individuals can do to slow climate change.??
FEATURED ACTION ?? Write a Letter to the Editor
It's LTE week! Opinion pieces are a productive 45-minute strategy for increasing your reach, influencing public opinion, and grabbing the attention of elected officials (if you mention them by name!). In 2023, changemakers—a few for the first time—had 31 opinion pieces published!
PICS OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN???? Hour of Action teams
Drop into any Climate Changemakers action meetup and you'll be basking in the good company of fellow climate-concerned, solutions-focused people—AND making a difference!?
Teams meet weekly?on Zoom and at breweries in four states.???
Weekly on Zoom Team Monday, Team Thursday, and Team Friday?racking up impact every week! SEE THE SCHEDULE
领英推荐
Team Madison?
TUESDAYS? |? BI-WEEKLY | Get meetup info + see post! ?
Team Kansas?
TUESDAYS? |? MONTHLY | Get meetup info! ?
Team Brooklyn?
WEDNESDAYS? |? WEEKLY | Get meetup info! ?
Team Washington DC?
THURSDAYS? |? BI-WEEKLY | Get meetup info! ?
SHOUTOUT FROM SLACK ?? "Not any for a while."
"I called and ... got a human who picked up the phone. After getting over my surprise at talking to an actual person, I urged the Senator to increase her climate ambition ... The staffer was very friendly so I asked her how many other calls the Senator has gotten about the climate. 'Not any for a while'?was her answer.?So. Now the answer is 'at least one.'"?
CLIMATE WIN OF THE WEEK ?? Policy progress: CPRG IYKYK!
Changemakers spent 5 weeks directly reaching out to elected officials (and writing letters to the editor and more) about applying for the EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants. This week, the?EPA announced that 47 states and territories have submitted a climate plan. This is meaningful progress!??
EVENT SCHEDULE????? Hours of Action this week
Get in, get out, get on with your week! Show up as you are. Take one impactful, step-by-step action in 60 minutes or less.?No prep required—the host has everything you need. BONUS:?bask in the good company of fellow climate-concerned, solutions-focused people.
?? Hours of Action are hosted weekly?on Zoom (here's what to expect) AND?in person in Madison, WI ? Brooklyn, NY ? Kansas City, MO ? Washington DC ???Drop in! Want to host your own Hour of Action? Let's talk! Email [email protected].
MONDAY?MOTIVATION????
“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” — Angela Davis
Half of all changemakers were referred by another changemaker!?Please forward this to anyone in your network who may be interested in joining the movement.
Love this call to action! ?? Remember, innovation is crafted when we dare to think differently. As Jane Goodall points out, every individual matters. Let's be that difference! ???