This study is designed to prepare and mobilize you to advocate for strong U.S. climate policy leadership. For four weeks, your group will learn about climate policy. As you learn, you will have chances to share what you are learning in your faith community; your local community; and the public square. The actions suggested here are called “projects.” You can do a lot of projects, or just one, depending on your capacity.
Some of the projects suggested here could take longer than four weeks. Whether you decide to do longer projects will depend on your group’s circumstances. Likewise, some of the suggested projects are intended to be repeated, like calls and meetings with policymakers. Whatever you do, be sure to keep good records! Use the form on this page to keep track of your projects, and whenever possible document your work using video, photos, social media, banners, and any other strategies you can think of.
What Does “Strong Climate Action” Mean?
Sure, we want lawmakers to “take strong climate action…” but what exactly does that mean? There are many ways lawmakers can take climate action. Here are some ways that are clear, important, and urgent:
For Congress
- Commit to 50% greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2030
- Introduce regulations on power plants, clean energy standards and carbon pricing to achieve an electricity supply that is 100 per cent carbon-free
- Implement carbon pricing on industrial emissions
- Strengthen vehicle and fuel economy standards to be in line with zero emissions for new cars in 2030
- Implement clean building standards so that all new buildings are 100 per cent electrified by 2030
- Keep existing US commitments of financial and technical assistance to developing countries such as the Green Climate Fund
- Recognize and honor asylum claims stemming from climate-related displacement
For State Lawmakers
- Remove legal and regulatory barriers to renewable energy generation and distribution, including distributed generation such as residential solar
- Ensure all residents of your state have access to clear information about future climate risks in their geographic area such as updated flood maps
- Require flood disclosure information for all real estate sales and rentals
- Require state agencies to create and update a state climate resilience plan
For local Officials
- Join the Global Covenant of Mayors to gain access to resources and technical assistance to help your community reduce emissions
- Conduct local community resilience planning using the US Climate Resilience Toolkit, Resilient by Design, or another model
- Take any necessary steps to clear the way for distributed generation such as rooftop solar
- Implement water conservation measures