Happy New Year Resolutions

Well, Happy New Year…we are just out of the gate into 2014, and here we are again with mega extreme weather.  We’ve already had a North American deep freeze, and record highs with 100,000 bats falling from the sky in Australia.

No single weather event can be attributed to climate change, but as Al Gore says, “if you see a turtle on a fencepost, you can be pretty sure it didn’t get there by itself.”

Last year tied a global record for most money spent on disasters; $40 billion.

When you view the big picture, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed. But at the grassroots level, there is reason to feel that we are more connected than ever.

Here are three reasons why I feel our energy is building.

1. Every time the Climate Reality Project has a new leadership training, I meet so many new and wonderful people who are organizing in their communities. These folks are from all parts of the globe, and are joining together to create a better world.

 2. About a year and a half ago, my friend Doug, adopted Rex Tillerson of Exxon Mobil as a pen pal. Doug’s trying to help Rex embrace his humanity, retire the refineries, and to be a vocal advocate of a revenue-neutral carbon tax.

Doug has now written a two volume book, A Scout Is Brave, compiling all his letters. Over the holidays, Doug camped out at the gate of Exxon Mobil’s Texas office with a sign, asking Rex to have coffee with him and to discuss the proposals. While Doug’s efforts haven’t yet produced a meeting with Rex, we think that they have caught Tillerson’s attention…If not, there is always Plan B.

3. Our group, CCL, is growing exponentially. We’re working on having a member in every Congressional district in the US. This past year, we’ve added groups in Bangladesh and Sweden. We have close to 200 groups in various stages of development. It sure feels like momentum is building.

How does this relate to your New Years Resolutions?

Being a volunteer has made me a better person. It has really forced me to dig deep and evaluate my priorities; and to create time for my activism where there wasn’t any before. Everyone with a serious volunteer commitment can attest to that. We make time for what matters most.

Sometimes I imagine how much closer we would be to paradigm shift in climate policy if I had three more Pauls, or I could clone Barbara, or we had another John, Chrysa, or Dick. You get the idea.

When you are contemplating your priorities this year, commit to to something big. The world needs big commitments right now. If you are wondering what you can do in the climate arena, please come to a CCL meeting.

‘If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.’ To solve the climate crisis, we have to go far. Quickly.”- Al GoreSave

Upcoming Events

CCL Letter writing Group Meets Thurs Jan 16 6-7 PM Come with an idea or discuss topics with fellow letter writers. All the letters that came out of our last meeting got published. Add yours to the list. At Chrysa’s house; email santafe@citzensclimatelobby.org for directions and to RSVP. Join our Intro Call Want to learn more about Citizens Climate Lobby and how you can help create the political will for climate solutions? Register for one of our weekly introductory calls– Wednesdays at 6 PM Mountain Time. Renewable Energy Day at the Roundhouse Saturday, Jan 25 10-2 Family-friendly event celebrating the economic, environmental and social benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency. The World Bank’s First Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on climate change Starts January 27th This  course presents recent scientific evidence as well as opportunities for urgent action on climate change. It is offered in two tracks: one for the general public and a second for policy makers and practitioners. The course runs for four weeks, and is free of charge. Participants have access to the material presented for approximately six months after the course ends. Sign up for the first session here. It’s free. Hear a replay of CCL’s January Conference Call with Adele Morris of the Brookings Institution- HERE. Register now for June’s CCL Conference in Washington DC- Here.

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