Read & Watch

Review of Vaclav Smil book by Mark Neely

Vaclav Smil, How the World Really Works:  A Scientist’s Guide to Our Past, Present and Future (New York:  Viking, 2022), 326 pp.     Vaclav Smil, a member of the geography department at the University of Manitoba, in this well organized and clearly written book, argues that globalization and what he calls “the four material pillars of modern civilization,” plastics, steel, concrete, and ammonia, are central to understanding the problem of climate change.  The problem, simply put, is that all of them are carbon intensive.     … Read More »Review of Vaclav Smil book by Mark Neely

June Newsletter

Dear CCL members,     A few days ago, some of my friends were commenting that many things are going wrong with the world, and they wished there was something they could do.  While the problems may seem overwhelming, all of us working together can make a difference.  You have taken a first step by reading an email from Citizens’ Climate Lobby, an organization that brings together 200,000 volunteers from all over the world to attempt to halt the destructive power of climate change.  CCL has always understood that climate change… Read More »June Newsletter

May 2022 Newsletter

Dear CCL members,      Are you finding it difficult to keep up with all the climate-related news?  Despite subscribing to several email newsletters, attending webinars online, and reading daily newspapers and climate books, I find that I miss out on many things.  Another problem I have encountered is that a simple headline in the news might leave me with questions that are not easily answered from traditional news sources.       To partially address these concerns, we are starting a new section of our monthly newsletter… Read More »May 2022 Newsletter

April 2022 Newsletter

Dear CCL State College members,       In addition to the devastation visited upon the people of Ukraine, the invasion of that country has also upended energy markets, increased fuel prices, and brought greater attention to the need for a swift transition away from fossil fuels.  What can we do to support the people of Ukraine and help bring about the transition to clean energy?  Citizens’ Climate Lobby is starting a program called “Stand with Ukraine” to address these issues.  At our monthly meeting on April 19, we will… Read More »April 2022 Newsletter

March 2022 Newsletter

Dear CCL State College members, The horrors taking place in Ukraine have us all riveted to our news sources.  We feel helpless to aid the victims of these atrocious and senseless incidents of cruelty and oppression.  But, fortunately, there is something that we can do to make a difference–at least in the long run.  We can stop enriching the coffers of petro states by refusing to buy their oil and by speeding the transition away from fossil fuels.  This will deprive dictators of the resources… Read More »March 2022 Newsletter

February Newsletter

Dear CCL State College members, This week I came across The Environmental Voter Project’s recent report titled, “Voter drop-off in Battleground States.” They surveyed and analyzed environmental voters in PA and nine other states in anticipation of the 2022 midterm elections. While young voter turnout drops off in midterm elections in every state in the report, PA stands out with 86% of the environmental voters unlikely to vote in November falling between the ages of 18-34. These voters are most prevalent around the Penn State main campus, as well… Read More »February Newsletter

January 2022 Newsletter

Happy New Year!  Start your year off right by resolving to make a difference on climate policy in 2022.  We all know that our elected officials will not act unless we push them to do so.  We have to show Congress that legislation to cut greenhouse gasses is politically viable.  Each one of us has something we can do.  But we cannot succeed unless we act together and in great numbers.      We invite you to attend the monthly meeting of the State College chapter of Citizens’… Read More »January 2022 Newsletter

Exploring Forest Carbon: Management, Markets & Policy

The Citizens’ Climate Lobby chapters in State College and the Susquehanna Valley presented a special panel discussion on forest carbon on October 12, 2021. The video is available on YouTube. The expert panelists were Ellen Shultzabarger, Pennsylvania State Forester, PA Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources Kevin Yoder, Forester for the Family Forest Carbon Program, Pennsylvania Nature Conservancy Matt Gabler, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association The program was researched and organized by Cathy Cullen and Kay Cramer. The Q & A moderator… Read More »Exploring Forest Carbon: Management, Markets & Policy

State College to Glasgow: What’s Happening with Climate Change Solutions

On December 7, 2021, three members of our chapter presented an overview of the developments in Climate Change policy during 2021. Lisa Richardson, Dick Jones, and Sylvia Neely looked at solutions at the local, state, national, and international level. The video is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QtyH3f95NE&t=198s

December 2021 Newsletter

JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL DECEMBER CHAPTER MEETING ON DEC. 7 – Note change of date                Trying to get a handle on all the solutions—both proposed and active—to the climate crisis is a daunting task. Never fear! Your local CCL chapter will break it down for you at our special December meeting which will be held on Zoom only.             “From State College to Glasgow: What’s Happening with Climate Solutions” will be presented at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 7 by chapter co-leaders Sylvia Neely and Lisa Richardson, and… Read More »December 2021 Newsletter