I just read the findings of a study called “Politics and Global Warming, May 2017,” that looked at party affiliation and how voters view climate policies. Here are a few findings: Over half of registered voters expect their leaders, including the president and Congress, to do more to address global warming.
And 52 percent of all registered voters think global warming should be a high or very high priority for our political leaders; 77 percent of all registered voters supports more regulations to address global warming; 70 percent of all registered voters support a revenue-neutral carbon tax.
Three in 10 voters would participate in a campaign to convince elected officials to take action to reduce global warming, but nobody has asked them to become involved. I am asking you to become involved in fighting climate change and here’s how: become a volunteer for the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL).
CCL is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to create the political will to enact a national Carbon Fee and Dividend (CF&D) policy. Some people join CCL to learn how to speak about CF&D to their members of Congress, but that’s not for everyone. I like to write letters to the editor and opinion pieces. Some volunteers seek endorsements from community leaders, as well as resolutions from governing bodies.
I am creating a Santa Maria chapter of CCL. Our first meeting is Saturday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. in the Cornerstone Community Room, 705 S. McClelland, Santa Maria. I am inviting anyone who wants to become involved to attend. Please email me at elizabeth.schneider5@aol.com to let me know that you are attending the meeting, or if you have any questions about our new chapter.
To learn more about Citizens’ Climate Lobby, go to their website at citizensclimatelobby.org. There is a one-hour informational conference call every Wednesday at 5 p.m. Call 1-866-642-1665 and use the passcode: 440699#.
This article appears in Aug 24-31, 2017.