Last week, Bee Moorhead and I visited North Carolina as members of USCAN, a group of dedicated and passionate environmentalists committed to fighting climate change for over 28 years.
USCAN is a collaborative network of over 190 organizations active on climate change with the mission of building trust and collaboration among members to justly fight climate change. USCAN is a national node for Climate Action Network International, which represents global civil society organizations committed to achieving environmental justice. CAN International has developed a large climate network of over 130 countries since the 1980s, with several regional and national nodes across the globe.
CAN International’s regional nodes are CAN-Arab World, CAN-Eastern Africa, CAN Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, CAN-Europe, CAN Latin America, CAN-Australia, Pacific Islands CAN, CAN-South Asia, Southern African Region CAN, CAN-South East Asia, CAN West and Central Africa.
Each node is responsible for its own operations and procedures, working hand-in-hand with local communities to advocate for climate action. The diversity of CAN International helps steer the climate movement in an intersectional and inclusive direction that considers every stakeholder.
USCAN held its first in-person annual meeting since COVID-19, and the timing couldn’t have been better, as the effects of climate change are ever-present. Therefore, organizations such as USCAN must unite, combining resources and capacity to achieve true climate justice while simultaneously empowering local leaders and grassroots organizations.
Over the course of four days, Bee and I were engaged in several meetings focused on environmental equity, voting on USCAN’s strategic goals, and the development of action committees focused on fossil fuels, grassroots campaigns, and environmental justice. We were also fortunate enough to connect with USCAN members who are actively conducting profound climate work in our home state. Texas has the potential to be a leader in the climate movement, and the increasing presence of USCAN’s network in the Lone Star State can help get us there.
USCAN believes that collaborative work achieves successful climate action; Texas Impact echoes that belief. As climate activists, we will continue to stand united, uplifting grassroots efforts and frontline communities to secure a vibrant and healthy future. USCAN is an excellent conduit for environmental action and represents the best of the climate movement in the U.S. Texas Impacts will work alongside USCAN representing the Texas faith community’s passionate commitment to climate action.