Citizens' Climate Lobby

Building on Moral Foundations Theory, CCL's BRIDGE Training #3 dives into exploring how moral reframing helps people maintain openness to ideas they might otherwise resist. Practice bridging the “moral empathy gap,” so that conversations around climate policy feel more respectful, persuasive, and relationship-centered, even when people see the world differently. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:49) Building on BRIDGE Foundations (5:09) Moral Reframing (12:58) Expanding Climate Messaging & Practicing Listening (18:28) Role Play: County Commissioner (26:06) Group Reflection Activities (32:48) Recent Research & Concluding Thoughts Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE-3-slides BRIDGE Training Page: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE Log Your Attendance: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000E90DYAS Share your BRIDGE Story: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE-story

Clean energy projects often encounter long, complex permitting steps that slow construction and raise costs. Practical permitting reforms can help ensure that good projects move forward faster while upholding environmental and community protections. Join CCL's VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to learn about permitting reforms to build clean energy infrastructure faster, associated tensions and compromises, and key messages for congressional offices. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (1:53) Why Building Faster is Important (8:03) What’s the Political Climate? (11:32) NEPA and Judicial Reforms (23:41) Other Related Permitting Topics (32:01) Key Messages Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/build-faster-slides Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/clean-energy-permitting-reform Log Your Training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000FeWbYAK

Marija Verner is the Digital Education Manager and Research Specialist at YPCCC. She studies how people around the world understand, experience, and respond to climate change, with a focus on cross-national public opinion, gender and development, and the spatial distribution of climate risks. Her research has appeared in World Development, Latin American Politics and Society, European Political Science, Nature Climate Change, Comparative Political Studies, and other scientific journals. In parallel, she co-leads the design and instruction of a professional education program in strategic climate communication for global audiences Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & National Highlights (4:25) Conversation w/ Dr. Marija Verner (38:26) Ricky Bradley Shares CCL's March Fundraising Campaign (43:10) Volunteer Spotlight and Action Sheet (50:04) BRIDGE Exercise Join CCL: https://cclusa.org/join March Slides: http://cclusa.org/march-2026-slides March Action Sheet: https://cclusa.org/actionsheet Yale Program on Climate Change Communication: https://climatecommunication.yale.edu Explore CCL's BRIDGE Program: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE

Join us for a training gearing up for Earth Month this April, when members of your community are out and about attending fairs, festivals, art walks, and other climate-related events. Join CCL's Senior Director of Field Operations Elli Sparks for a training that will help you and your team identify, reserve, and schedule summer tabling and clipboarding, bring CCL materials and other engaging activities to the events, and educate, activate and recruit the people you meet about climate action. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (1:45) Why Table? (3:10) Supporting Your Team (11:04) How to Plan and Prepare (17:15) In Review Presentation Slides: http://cclusa.org/tabling-march-2026 CCL Tabling Toolkit: https://community.citizensclimate.org/tabling-toolkit Log Your Training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP00000092NZYAY

America's old and outdated power grid has become a critical bottleneck preventing the country from adding the needed new clean energy sources that will reduce climate pollution while improving energy affordability and security. Join CCL's VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to learn about why transmission reforms are a crucial climate solution, the details of potential transmission permitting reform provisions, and key messages for congressional offices. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (1:36) Why Transmission is Important (4:00) Transmission’s Political Climate (13:10) Challenges and Policy Solutions (24:46) What about Climate Pollution? (31:08) Does the Analysis Still Hold? (33:29) Key Messages on Transmission Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/transmission-reform-slides Log Your Training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000FUc5YAG Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/clean-energy-permitting-reform

This training will dive into CCL's BRIDGE Training #2 and explore how Moral Foundations Theory helps us better understand the values that shape how people interpret climate solutions and public policy and explain why people can care deeply about the same world—but prioritize different values. We’ll practice noticing which moral values may be shaping a conversation and learn how to communicate in ways that resonate across political and cultural differences. Participants will have space to explore their own moral foundations and how those values influence how they show up in conversations and advocacy. This session builds skills for relational advocacy that strengthens trust, lowers defensiveness, and makes climate solutions feel more relevant and shared. Come ready to reflect, practice, and expand your toolkit for engaging across difference. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (5:43) Moral Foundations Theory (MFT) (23:51) Practice Activities (29:38) Discover Your Moral Compass (39:58) Applying MFT to Climate Advocacy (43:16) What Comes Next Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE-2-Slides BRIDGE Training Page: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE Log Your Attendance: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000E8ybYAC

Join CCL Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Flannery Winchester, for a deep dive into CCL’s recently updated mission statement and new policy commitments. These statements were presented during CCL’s February meeting and are also available in an updated version of CCL’s 2026 Strategic Plan. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:34) Why & How (4:37) CCL's Mission Statement (10:41) CCL's Policy Commitments (18:47) Practice Activity & Wrap-up Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/mission-policy-commitments-slides 2026 Strategic Plan: https://cclusa.org/2026-strategic-plan Log Your Training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5y8X000000wKVgQAM

Our guest speaker for the February Meeting is William J. Doherty, Ph.D., Co-founder of Braver Angels. Bill has built a lifetime of work around helping people bridge deep divides. A co-founder of Braver Angels, Bill is the chief designer of the organization’s foundational workshops that bring Americans together across political differences to restore trust, understanding, and healthy democratic dialogue. Join CCL: https://cclusa.org/join February Action Sheet: https://cclusa.org/actionsheet Explore CCL's BRIDGE Program: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE

As election season picks up steam, this training will equip volunteers with a review of CCL's advice on engaging candidates and members of Congress effectively during campaign season and public events. Participants will learn how to ask concise, solution-oriented questions, connect climate solutions to local priorities, and build relationships that make climate action feel constructive and achievable. We’ll also cover how to stay proudly nonpartisan while encouraging science-based climate ambition and documenting outreach to strengthen long-term advocacy. Whether you’re new or experienced, this session will help you show up with confidence, curiosity, and a focus on building political will for climate solutions. CCL Training Event Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/events/item/24/20292 Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/campaign-season-candidate-activities Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:50) In-District Activity Goals (9:21) Activity Options (15:31) Scheduling the Activity (22:41) After the Activity (25:22) Find Candidate Events (30:07) Learn About All Candidates (31:45) Develop Strategic Questions (37:34) Work with Incumbents (38:50) Stay Nonpartisan and Bipartisan

Electrification is a key climate solution in the transition to clean energy sources. But electricity rates are rising fast and face surging demand from artificial intelligence data centers. Expensive electricity and an insufficient power supply could endanger electrification efforts. Fortunately, in an age of high costs of living, policymakers are very interested in finding solutions. Join CCL's Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli, supported by CCL's Electrification Action Team to learn what's behind rising electricity rates and energy insecurity, and how we can solve these problems. Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/energy-affordability-slides CCL's Permitting Reform Training Topic: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/clean-energy-permitting-reform CCL's Electrification Action Team: https://community.citizensclimate.org/groups/home/974 Log your training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000F5SPYA0 DSIRE's database of incentives for efficiency and electrification: https://www.dsireusa.org/ Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (1:16) Electrifying Everything (5:29) Gas Power Production (9:14) Renewable Power Production (10:42) Distribution & Transmission (14:04) Climate & Extreme Weather (16:01) Load Growth, Data Centers (20:16) State Renewables Policies & Investor-Owned Utility Profits (25:35) Potential Solutions (37:39) Guest Speaker: Peter Hubbard Additional Q&A Discussion ( https://vimeo.com/1162561816/ed5f1a7ba5 )

Join Mindy Ahler, CCL's Liaison Program Manager, for a training will provide an overview of Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Congressional Liaisons Program, what the responsibilities are for the role, how to get involved if you are interested, and how to find out if there is a liaison need in your Congressional district. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (3:26) Our Values & Theory of Change (8:17) Liaison ABC's (17:45) Liaison Resources Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/becoming-liaison-slides CCL Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/resources/item/19/400

Join us for a training that will begin to explore the first training in CCL's BRIDGE Advocacy Program. In this session, we’ll take a deeper look at how all of us arrive at decisions and form beliefs, using insights from behavioral science. We’ll explore why intuition and emotion usually come first, and how reasoning often follows to justify those initial reactions, and why this matters for our climate advocacy. Our focus will eb on self-awareness as a foundation for stronger, more respectful climate advocacy across differences. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (3:03) Human Decision-Making (7:52) The Elephant & Rider Metaphor (19:20) Reading Resistance (22:50) Present Context - Social Media Case Study (27:07) Practice Activities (37:14) BRIDGE Pathway Ahead CCL Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/BRIDGE/Unit-1/Training-1 Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE-1-Slides Log Your Training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000E8wzYAC

Permitting reform is a complex topic that touches on many politically sensitive topics including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), judicial reforms, and federal involvement in interstate project permitting processes. Join CCL's VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to learn about the permitting players, politics, problems, and how and why CCL is engaging in this challenging landscape. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:06) Why Permitting Reform Now? (13:42) Permitting Scrambles Traditional Alliances (33:27) Data From Trusted Messengers Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/permitting-landscape-slides Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/clean-energy-permitting-reform

Kick off the year with a State of the Organization message from CCL leaders, celebrating our recent fundraising milestones, sharing leadership updates, and previewing where things stand as we begin 2026. CCL Vice President of Field Operations Brett Cease will also debut BRIDGE —Building Relationships in Dialogue, Growth, and Engagement — our robust new relational advocacy training program designed to strengthen your communication skills and deepen your relationships with congressional offices in the year ahead. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & State of the Organization (20:05) Local Chapter Highlights & Volunteer Spotlight (26:25) BRIDGE: Conversation with Brett Cease (42:55) CCL's January Actions Review Join CCL: https://cclusa.org/join January Action Sheet: https://cclusa.org/actionsheet Pre-Call Video: https://vimeo.com/1153024619 Explore CCL's BRIDGE Program: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE

Join CCL’s VP of Field Operations for a training that will preview CCL’s new “BRIDGE” program - Building Relationships in Dialogue, Growth, and Engagement. Brett will preview the framework that offer practical insights for having more effective, empathetic climate conversations that build understanding and momentum for change. A relational advocacy program based on behavioral and social science from Drs. Haidt, Willer, Cialdini; Amanda Ripley; and more. The program will serve as one of the foundational building blocks for Citizens’ Climate’s advocacy. Understand people’s underlying moral foundations, and learn to practice moral reframing across political perspectives. The program will also teach participants to apply practical dialogue techniques to bridge divides and engage effectively with people holding different views.

Are you curious about what to expect about CCL's Fall 2025 Conference and Lobby Days or have a question about any final details? Join Alison Kubicsko, National Events Director and Mindy Ahler CCL Congressional Liaison Manager for a final walk-through of the who, what, and where for CCL's Fall 2025 Conference and Lobby Days to help you prepare for what to expect with the schedule, logistics, and details. Presentation Slides: http://cclusa.org/lobby-conference-qa Lobby Toolkit: https://community.citizensclimate.org/lobby-meeting-toolkit Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:00) Conference Details (9:50) Lobby Week Logistics

Join CCL's Vice President for Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler, Congressional Liaison Program Manager Mindy Ahler, and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli for a training that will review more details and the context for CCL's Fall 2025 Primary Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their online meetings. We'll also have time to get your questions answered by CCL's government affairs team! This is the second of two recommended trainings for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of their group's Fall 2025 Lobby Planning (as well as this Thursday's Oct 30th Lobby Training #1 - Primary Asks). Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/fall-2025-review-slides Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:05) Review Asks (24:18) Review Lobby Meeting Plans Q&A Discussion (https://vimeo.com/1133248588/dc8bb638ae)

Join CCL's Vice President for Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler, Congressional Liaison Program Manager Mindy Ahler, and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to participate in strategizing for the upcoming fall lobby meetings, get more information on the meeting asks, and have time to get your questions answered by CCL's government affairs team! This is the first of two recommended trainings for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of their group's Fall 2025 Lobby Planning (as well as this Monday Nov 3rd's Lobby Training #2 -CCL's Legislative Plan). Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:28) What's Happening in Congress? (6:54) Clean Energy Permitting Reform Ask (29:00) Fix Our Forests (37:58) Foreign Pollution Fee (42:14 ) Conclusions and Resources Review Additional Q&A Discussion (https://vimeo.com/1132528986/cb0ef3dfee ) Presentation Slides: http://cclusa.org/fall-2025-asks-slides Primary Asks: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/primary-asks

In this training, Charlotte Ward, CCL’s Communications and Media Manager, shares: How the Statewide Media Manager program works Which states are already leading the way — and why it’s effective The resources and support available for volunteers who want to ramp up their media work This training is for everyone who wants to be involved in media work so they can understand how CCL staff supports them through their Statewide Media Manager. You’ll learn about CCL’s new Statewide Media Manager role — a leadership position designed to strengthen media work across entire states, not just individual chapters. Taking best practices from CCL’s successful Liaison Program, Statewide Media Managers will coordinate media relations statewide with direct support and guidance from CCL’s Communications team. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (4:19) Understanding the Media Landscape (12:47) What's It Like To Take On the Role? (19:55) Next Steps Presentations Slides: https://cclusa.org/powering-up-state-media

Jessica Trotman is the Assistant Town Manager of Black Mountain, North Carolina, where she leads recovery and resilience efforts following Hurricane Helene. She also serves as a Senior Consultant with the American Flood Coalition. To her work in resilience, Jessica brings 15 years of experience in sustainability, planning, stormwater, public health and public administration. She serves in multiple advisory roles, including the North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint advisory committee and Resilience subcommittee of the Governorʼs Advisory Committee on Western North Carolina Recovery. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Monthly Highlights (6:10) Conversation with Jessica Trotman (27:12) Q&A Discussion (33:33) CCL's October Actions Review Join CCL: https://cclusa.org/join October Action Sheet: https://cclusa.org/actionsheet October Meeting Slides: https://cclusa.org/october-meeting-slides Pre-Call Video: https://vimeo.com/1126279438 Register for the Fall Conference (Nov. 14-15): https://cclusa.org/fallconference

CCL volunteers put a lot of work into pushing the clean energy tax credits within Inflation Reduction Act over the finish line to be signed into law in 2022, and into protecting some of its provisions from outright repeal in the big budget bill this year. But how much did our efforts achieve for the climate? Join CCL Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli for an exploration of modeling scenarios in an effort to quantify how much climate pollution CCL volunteers' efforts succeeded in preventing in our pursuit to preserve a livable climate. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:25) A Stroll Down Memory Lane (9:59) Emissions Heading Down (12:01) Since The Election (21:44) What Did We Achieve? (29:31) How to get the Next Billion Tons Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/ira-achieved

The U.S. remains the only developed economy globally without a national carbon price—distorting domestic perceptions of its viability. This session explores how carbon pricing has worked successfully across the world and how those lessons apply to the evolving U.S. conversation. Dr. Danny Richter will highlight the emerging fourth generation of U.S. carbon policy, centered on border adjustments and bipartisan interest in leveraging America’s carbon efficiency. Join us for a global tour of carbon pricing and a look at where U.S. policy may be headed next. Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/carbon-pricing-around-world-slides Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/resources/item/19/138 Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (4:02) Overview (18:22) EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (24:39) The American Context (39:58) Conclusion

Dr. Daniel Swain is a climate scientist focused on the dynamics and impacts of extreme events—including droughts, floods, storms, and wildfires—on a warming planet. Daniel holds joint appointments as a climate scientist within the California Institute for Water Resources within University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR), the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at UCLA, and as a research partner at the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research. You can follow Daniel on Bluesky (@WeatherWest) and YouTube (@WeatherWest). During September's meeting, Daniel will help us understand how climate change is impacting wildfires. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Monthly Highlights (8:24) Conversation with Dr. Daniel Swain (36:24) Q&A Discussion (39:35) CCL's September's Actions Review (45:06) Previewing CCL's Inclusion Conference September Action Sheet: cclusa.org/actionsheet September Slides: cclusa.org/september-meeting-slides Pre-Call Video: https://vimeo.com/1118352761 Inclusion Conference: cclusa.org/inclusion More about Dr. Swain's work: https://weatherwest.com @WeatherWest

At CCL’s 2025 Summer Conference and Lobby Day in D.C. last month, we were privileged to hear from Amanda Ripley in a keynote conversation with CCL’s Illinois State Coordinator Alex Marianyi. We want every CCLer to have a chance to hear Amanda’s powerful message and Alex’s takeaways, so this month’s meeting features recorded highlights from their keynote session. Amanda Ripley is a New York Times bestselling author, a Washington Post contributing columnist, and the co-founder of Good Conflict, a media and training company that helps people reimagine conflict. She has written three award-winning, nonfiction books about three very different subjects: High Conflict, The Smartest Kids in the World, and The Unthinkable. Previously, Ripley spent a decade writing about human behavior for Time magazine in New York, Washington, and Paris.

The July 2025 CCL meeting focused on midyear updates to the 2025 Roadmap, highlighting key accomplishments like nationwide in-district drop-offs, introduction of the bipartisan Foreign Pollution Fee Act, and a full-court press to protect clean energy tax credits. Despite setbacks from the recent budget reconciliation bill, CCL's VP of Communications emphasized the significant positive impact of volunteer advocacy in softening harmful provisions and building long-term bipartisan support for clean energy. Volunteers across the country were encouraged to share local wins and continue showing up, with an eye on sustained progress through grassroots pressure. Looking ahead, the spotlight turned to the upcoming Summer Conference and Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. Interim Executive Director Ricky Bradley celebrated the 860+ registrants and the powerful sense of belonging the event offers. Government Affairs leaders Jenn Tyler and Mindy Ahler provided insight into lobbying strategy, the importance of constituent presence, and how everyone, even those not attending in person, can amplify impact through coordinated calls to Congress. The meeting wrapped with a review of July’s actions, including using local media, social media sharing, and event planning to build visibility and momentum in communities nationwide.

CCL's Vice President of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler and CCL's Research Manager, Dana Nuccitelli provide up to the moment insights on the dynamics in Congress and how we can most effectively use our time in meetings to support our agenda.

Join CCL's Senior Director of Field Operations Elli Sparks for a training that specifically addresses how to prepare yourself for a successful meeting with a member of Congress. You will learn about CCL's methodology, research tips, available tools, lobby meeting roles and parts, the value of practice, and the power of listening. Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/prepare-to-lobby Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/working-with-congress/lobbying-201 Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:38) Purpose of Citizen Lobbyists (7:15) Building Relationships (20:25) Lobby Team Roles (26:24) Meeting Outline

In Citizens Climate Radio's newest installment of our policy series, hosts Elissa Tennant and Dana Nuccitelli dive deep into the latest updates from Capitol Hill. With the Senate Finance Committee’s budget proposal now public, they unpack what it means for the clean energy tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act. How do the House and Senate versions compare? What would repealing these tax credits cost American households and jobs? What role does energy security—and even AI—play in the clean energy conversation? Elissa and Dana bring clarity to a complex policy moment and offer listeners tangible next steps for action. You’ll also hear about upcoming CCL leadership changes, summer conference plans, and two thoughtful listener voicemails—including one from someone who really wants to bring back Energy Star. 🎧 Topics Covered: Senate vs. House proposals on clean energy tax credits The mysterious “bird bath” process Projected increases in household energy costs Threats to clean energy manufacturing and jobs What to expect next in Congress How you can make your voice heard 📞 Call or text us with your questions or comments: +1 (619) 512-9646 🗳️ Take action to defend clean energy tax credits: https://cclusa.org/IRAdefense 🎟️ Join us at the Summer Conference in Washington, D.C., July 20–22: https://cclusa.org/conference 🎙️ Citizens Climate Radio is a project of Citizens’ Climate Education.

This month, Dana Nuccitelli, CCL’s Research Manager, breaks down why protecting the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits is a huge opportunity for America. Losing these tax credits would have a serious impact on America's climate progress. Keeping these credits in place means lower energy bills, more clean power, greater energy security, and hundreds of thousands of good jobs across the country. We're telling Congress: Keep these tax credits intact!

The Senate is moving forward on their version of a budget reconciliation bill that could drastically cut clean energy tax credits. CCL wants to protect those tax credits. We have been emailing, calling, and meeting with members of Congress about this for months. Now it's time to take the conversation public in local media all around the country! Join this special workshop with Charlotte Ward, CCL's Communications and Media Manager, to learn everything you need to know to write an effective letter to the editor (LTE) or a full op-ed about the tax credits. After a quick overview and training, you'll spend 20 minutes of focused time writing your LTE or personalizing our op-ed template during the call. Please note that this event includes a short visual presentation and helpful links to access as you write. If you're a Citizens' Climate Lobby volunteer, you can log your training automatically when signed into CCL Community by clicking: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000AHfVYAW Resources from this training https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/102bE0oAgDIT_MuHHbONZA2IdSnhDfCRFVw4kD9vQGl8/edit?slide=id.g333ca062a2c_0_26#slide=id.g333ca062a2c_0_26 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B1RfD0AQt6E_28aqHEAV1Uc95wd3dvYByEi-dd9m0XA/edit?usp=sharing

This training provides a detailed explanation of the Foreign Pollution Fee Act introduced by Senator Cassidy (R-LA). CCL Research Fellow Dr. Danny Richter outlines the bill's objectives, including creating a tariff on carbon emissions embedded in imported goods, promoting international coordination on climate policy, and establishing a carbon accounting infrastructure. Danny discusses the bill's specifics, such as the tiered tariff rates based on pollution intensity relative to the U.S. baseline, the inclusion of various greenhouse gases and emissions scopes, and the aggressive enforcement measures. He also places the bill within its political context, highlighting bipartisan interest, the different approaches of its sponsors, and the reasons behind CCL's support, emphasizing its potential to reduce emissions and build on previous advocacy.

This month, we’re excited to feature a group of standout CCL volunteers who represent a wide range of activities. They’ll be sharing their stories in a conversation with CCL’s Vice President of Communications, Flannery Winchester. In order of appearance, we'll hear from Beth Chajes, Delaware State Coordinator; Luke Clarke and Kyle Kalinich, Group Leaders for the Golden-Jefferson, CO Chapter; and Frankie Fachilla, Curtis Baysinger, and Group Leader Fred Lemay from the Middle Tennessee chapter.

In this session, we take a close look at the Senate version of this important bipartisan legislation and explore why it’s critical for the climate, for forest health, and for wildfire resilience. You’ll hear from Dana Nuccitelli, CCL’s Research Manager, who will walk us through the science and policy details, and from Jennifer Tyler, our Vice President of Government Affairs, who will explain what this means for Congress and how CCL volunteers can help move it forward.

In this episode of Citizens Climate Radio, we dive into the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)—the biggest climate legislation in U.S. history—and the urgent effort underway to protect its clean energy tax credits. CCL’s Content Marketing Manager Elissa Tennant joins CCL’s Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to break it all down. You’ll learn what the IRA funds, how clean energy tax credits work for individuals and businesses, and why these programs are now under threat. Dana also explains the budget reconciliation process, the challenges in Congress, and the surprising level of bipartisan public support for clean energy investment. You'll leave this episode knowing exactly why the IRA matters—and what simple actions you can take to defend it. Featured Guests: Elissa Tennant is CCL’s Content Marketing Manager, leading strategy and creation for web, social media, and volunteer resources. Dana Nuccitelli is CCL’s Research Manager, an environmental scientist, and an award-winning climate journalist with a background in physics and over a decade of science communication experience. Looking for a full transcript and more, visit www.cclusa.org/radio Resources Mentioned: 📄 Take action to defend clean energy tax credits: cclusa.org/IRAdefense 📅 Register for the 2025 Citizens' Climate Lobby Summer Conference: cclusa.org/conference 🌟 Get involved with other climate actions: cclusa.org/action 🦖 Schoolhouse Rock: Tyrannosaurus Debt (explainer video): Watch on YouTube 🧠 Join CCL’s Nerd Corner (for policy deep dives): CCL Community - Nerd Corner Highlights: Why the Inflation Reduction Act focuses so heavily on clean energy. What “tax credits” mean for individuals, businesses, and the broader economy. How budget reconciliation works—and why it's mostly a partisan process today. Why Republicans and Democrats alike have reasons to support clean energy tax credits. How CCL volunteers are defending climate investments—and how you can help. We Want to Hear from You Email: radio @ citizensclimate.org Text/Voicemail: 619-512-9646 Social Media: Follow us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok.

Danny Richter, a policy fellow for CCL, led a discussion on CCL's strategic approach to engaging with the newly configured Congress. He highlighted the organization's priorities, including defending the clean energy provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, advocating for the Fix Our Forest Act, supporting Foreign Pollution Fees and cautiously entering the permitting reform space. Danny emphasized the shift in CCL's approach from playing offense to playing defense, as we now focus on defending a bill that has already been passed. He also noted the change in the balance of power, with Republicans holding a majority in both the Senate and the House, and the importance of understanding this new context for effective Congressional engagement. This discussion stresses the importance of thinking ahead, preparing for multiple swings of the political pendulum, and maintaining positive relationships with both Democratic and Republican members of Congress. Danny also highlighted the need for volunteer empowerment, focusing on climate issues, and being a science-based organization. He acknowledged the need for uncomfortable trade-offs in addressing climate change and the importance of diverse approaches to achieve change. Chapters & Timestamps – “Navigating Climate Advocacy in a Changing Political Landscape” 0:00 – Welcome and Learning Goals Danny lays out the goals: confidence engaging Congress, clarity on CCL’s strategic approach, and understanding how the context has shifted. 0:46 – Why This Training Now? Overview of CCL’s top priorities in the new Congress: Defending IRA tax credits Advancing the Fix Our Forests Act Supporting foreign pollution fees 2:10 – The Shift to Playing Defense For the first time, CCL is playing defense—not just pushing new bills. 4:26 – Political Landscape: GOP Control of Congress & Trump Presidency What unified Republican control means for agenda-setting and strategy. 7:35 – CCL’s Strategy: Long-Term Thinking & Bipartisan Relationships How we work across Congress configurations and why our bipartisan strategy stands out. 10:55 – Volunteer Empowerment & Staying Focused on Climate Why keeping meetings focused on climate empowers volunteers and preserves access. 12:56 – The Role of Science & Uncomfortable Trade-Offs The science tells us we’re in the age of consequences—renewables vs. local impact, etc. 14:12 – Durability & Consistency of CCL’s Impact Reflections on CCL’s sustained influence and why it matters. 15:02 – Lessons from Past GOP-Controlled Congresses How CCL passed 3 climate bills during Trump’s first term using respectful engagement. 17:03 – The New MAGA Era: GOP Unity and Behind-the-Scenes Dissent Differences in today’s Republican Party compared to 2016–2020. 18:10 – Democratic Party Shifts How Democrats are reassessing messaging post-election (DEI backlash, inflation, media strategy). 21:14 – Engagement Tactics: Segmenting Members of Congress Approaches vary by chamber and ideology. Use “economy, jobs, and global competition” with Republicans. 26:35 – Conclusions: Strategy & Values Amid a Challenging Context Empathy, strategy, and staying the course with CCL’s approach.

In this episode of Citizens Climate Radio, Elise Silvestri explores how art can strengthen climate advocacy with Carrie Ziegler, an interdisciplinary Artist, Speaker, and Community Engagement Expert. Carrie talks about her process for creating and executing the Chrysalis Project: Transforming Together, an art and climate policy project that enacted powerful change over Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the participating students, Brisa Sabel, shares her experience of the successful campaign and the joy and inspiration it gave her. Peterson Toscano has a surprisingly good news story: like our responses to climate change, the format of CCR is adapting! [insert finalized details here] Listen to Carrie Ziegler discuss the power of art storytelling in making meaningful, local climate policy. Guest Bio: Carrie Ziegler Carrie Ziegler harnesses the collective power of art to drive social and environmental transformation. Through her Art in Action initiatives, she collaborates with diverse entities—local governments, organizations, schools, and universities—to create multi-dimensional works that blend participant creativity with pressing societal issues. These projects inspire active engagement, bringing communities together to create lasting change. Along with the Chrysalis Project, Carrie also led the Plastic Whale Project, where students created a life-sized whale out of plastic bags. The whale played a pivotal role in successfully passing a ban on single-use plastic bags in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Thurston County, Washington. Based in Olympia, Washington, Carrie is recognized internationally, bringing her impactful vision to global forums, including Aotearoa (New Zealand), Ghana, France, Mexico, and Canada. She empowers Artists and Change Makers to maximize their societal impact through art, inspiring a broader movement of change driven by creativity. Complementing her hands-on work, Carrie is penning her inaugural book, Eclosion: An Artist’s Path to Power and Peace. In this work, she intertwines her memoir with a practical guide for unleashing personal and collective potential, offering a blueprint for transformative change through art—a light for a world in desperate need of inspiration. Check out her work on her Instagram, @carriezieglerart. 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Find us wherever you get your podcasts or visit cclusa.org/radio Listener Survey We want to hear your feedback about this episode. Please fill out our short survey. Join the Conversation Engage with other listeners and share your thoughts on our social media channels. Follow and connect with us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok. Tune in next month for more inspiring stories, expert insights, and actionable climate solutions. Together, we can make a difference, one story at a time. We Want to Hear from You Email: radio @ citizensclimate.org Text/Voicemail: 619-512-9646 (+1 if calling from outside the USA.) Production Team: Written and produced by Peterson Toscano and Elise Silvestri Social Media Assistance: Flannery Winchester Music is provided by epidemicsound.com and Elise Silvestri

Kari Hall is an Emmy Award-winning meteorologist for NBC Bay Area’s morning newscast, Today in The Bay. Kari holds a degree in Geoscience with an emphasis in Broadcast Meteorology. Her career has spanned the country, from covering Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Gustav with KATC in Louisiana; to covering tornadoes and snowstorms at WKYT in Kentucky; to serving as Chief Meteorologist at News 12 in Connecticut. She is a member of the American Meteorological Society and a leader with the Climate Reality Project. She has won two Emmy Awards for her weather and climate coverage.

CCL hosts a training session on tabling events for Earth Month 2025, highlighting this year's significance and providing actionable recommendations. Participants learn about the new CCL Tabling Toolkit, which aids in organizing these events. Creative strategies, like using origami frogs, are shared to engage families. The session emphasizes public engagement, conversation starters, and art projects to raise climate awareness, while encouraging community involvement in bipartisan climate advocacy.

Panel discussion featuring CCL Congressional Liaison Manager Mindy Ahler, Action Team Director Drew Eyerly, and Vice President of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler. Mindy, Drew, and Jenn reviewed the outcome of our annual Conservative Climate Leadership Conference and Lobby Day and answered questions about lobby meetings, asks, and the importance of sending right-of-center volunteers to meet with Republicans.

In this episode of Citizens Climate Radio, co-hosts Peterson Toscano and Elise Silvestri dive into the pressing issue of climate anxiety with Kate Schapira, creator of the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth in Providence, Rhode Island. Kate shares her decade-long journey of listening to people’s climate worries, how she transformed these conversations into actionable climate engagement, and the insights she presents in her book, Lessons from the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth: How to Live With Care and Purpose in an Endangered World. This episode also features an inspiring good news story: a group of students in Tucson, Arizona, successfully passed a climate action resolution for their school district, securing funding for sustainability initiatives and setting an example for youth-led climate action. Tune in to learn how listening, storytelling, and collective action can transform climate despair into meaningful change. Guest Bio: Kate Schapira Kate Schapira is a writer, educator, and climate listener based in Providence, Rhode Island. Since 2014, she has operated the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth, a public listening project where she invites people to share their climate concerns, anxieties, and hopes. Her deep engagement with these conversations has informed her approach to climate action—centering community, emotional resilience, and meaningful steps toward change. Kate is the author of Lessons from the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth: How to Live With Care and Purpose in an Endangered World, where she explores how individuals and communities can navigate climate anxiety through connection and activism. She teaches writing at Brown University and works with organizations such as Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance (AMOR) and the People’s Port Authority Movement. Find more about Kate’s work at KateSchapira.com. Links Read Kate’s book: Lessons from the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth Explore the Tucson Unified School District’s Climate Action Resolution 🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Find us wherever you get your podcasts or visit cclusa.org/radio Listener Survey We want to hear your feedback about this episode. Please fill out our short survey. Join the Conversation Engage with other listeners and share your thoughts on our social media channels. Follow and connect with us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok. Tune in next month for more inspiring stories, expert insights, and actionable climate solutions. Together, we can make a difference, one story at a time. We Want to Hear from You Email: radio @ citizensclimate.org Text/Voicemail: 619-512-9646 (+1 if calling from outside the USA.) Production Team: Written and produced by Peterson Toscano and Elise Silvestri Social Media Assistance: Flannery Winchester Music is provided by epidemicsound.com and Elise Silvestri