Dear Citizens’ Climate Lobby members,
It’s Fall in Happy Valley! We hope everyone can find time to take a deep breath and enjoy the beauty of the changing leaves, the rolling hills and the great outdoors. Sylvia and I continue to be amazed at the talent and dedication of our members. And we look forward to seeing your smiling face in one of the “Brady Bunch” zoom squares at our next monthly meeting:
Monthly Meeting: Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 5 p.m.
For a link to the meeting, write to PaStateCollege@citizensclimatelobby.org
Here is a preview of what we will discuss at our chapter meeting:
At CCL national, discussions are occurring around having a strategy for all potential election outcomes. Just how will the outcome affect our CCL work? Join us on Oct 20 as we have this same discussion in our chapter and work through a bit of post-election brainstorming. More about this here.
It’s October- Time to take action!
Those who speak for the environment are needed now more than ever. And if not us, then who? The most important way to channel our concern for addressing the climate crisis is to be in motion- in other words, to take substantive action! What is considered substantive? Glad you asked:
Here are four easy ways you can advocate for the environment:
- Ask a local business to endorse H.R. 763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. To get started, ask questions, and to keep Linda Westrick in the loop so we are coordinated in our efforts, email endorsements@statecollegeccl.org.
- Sign up for the monthly calling campaign and call your member of Congress. Did you know that PA’s Senator Toomey office has now received the most calls by CCL members of any Senator in the U.S.? (Way to go PA chapters!). Sign up today to receive a handy reminder email each month that has the phone number and a sample script. Try it. You’ll like it! Have questions? Contact Cathy Cullen at monthlycall@statecollegeccl.org.
- Vote! Voter Registration Closes 10/19/20
We already know you are engaged in the political process. But since PA has 200,000 potential first-time environmental voters, we know that not everyone is engaged. Traditionally young people turnout in lower numbers. Now is the time to make sure your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews are registered and planning ahead. A quick text from you, with a link to VotesPA, can make a difference.
Already Applied for a Mail-In Ballot? You can track the status of your ballot here. (And, yes, I checked on my husbands’ and 20-somethings’ ballot status, too. #nottakinganychances #mom.)
(Check the status of your mail-in or absentee ballot here.
- If you live in Ferguson township, please attend the October 19th Ferguson Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting, where you can voice your support for Ferguson to endorse HR 763. This is a public hearing. The Zoom link will be posted in an agenda which appears at https://www.twp.ferguson.pa.us/board-supervisors/events/8983 a few days prior to the meeting. Please contact Linda Westrick at endorse@statecollegeccl.org with any questions.
News from our chapter
Dick Jones published an Op-ed in the Centre Daily Times on Sept. 13 entitled “From the effect on fish to carbon pricing initiatives, there’s a lot happening” that reported on many of the exciting recent news items related to climate change.
On Sept. 28, Ed Cullen wrote an informative letter to the Centre Daily Times on the warning issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission that global warming would have a dire effect on the American economy. You can read his letter here.
On October 1, CCL State College and the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications co-sponsored a presentation by Dr. Max Boykoff, a leading expert on climate communications. If you missed it, Dick Jones wrote an excellent summary here.
PA CCL news – Faith and Climate Work
A recent CCL blog highlighted the work of Jessie Snyder, a CCL volunteer from the Lehigh Valley chapter and a member of the Catholic Action Team. She has been doing extraordinary work to obtain endorsements for the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act from Catholic colleges in Pennsylvania. Her story is an inspiration to us all on how to use the connections we already have to promote climate action. You can read it here: Seeking Endorsements from Catholic Universities.
Community News
Penn State’s Center for Energy Law and Policy is presenting a series on Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in Pennsylvania, covering several topics of interest. They will take place on Fridays at noon. You can see the full list and register here. To stay up to date on RGGI’s progress, visit PennEnvironment’s website.
Sustainability Showcases are held on Fridays at noon. If you missed the presentation on September 25 entitled “Climate Change: An Ecological and Health Equity Crisis,” you can access the recording here.
Science Communication and Climate Change
Oct 28, 3:30-4:30pm
Part of Penn State’s Science Communication Program, a virtual panel will feature an in-depth climate change discussion with journalists and Penn State experts as they relate their experiences communicating their research with the media and other audiences. To register, visit this link.
Penn State’s Earth System Science Center announces a fall line-up of seminars on climate science, carbon emissions and more. The list is here.
Penn State Extension is offering a free webinar called “Effective Environmental Outreach Strategies.” Join to learn new strategies for increasing the impact of your environmental outreach program and cultivating trust among staff and stakeholders. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, from 10 to 11 am. Visit the Event Website for More Details
League of Women Voters Shale conference on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18. https://www.shalepalwv.org/2020-shale-public-health-conference/
Environmental Defense Fund– Looking for some inspiration? Join the virtual climate rally, COUNTDOWN, organized by TED and Future Stewards. Saturday, October 10th at 11am on YouTube.