Action: Build a Coalition to Price Carbon

Introduction:

For several years, Congress has attempted and failed to pass legislation to put a price on carbon and thereby speed the transition to clean energy. The latest attempt in the Senate is withering on the vine even before it has been introduced, and it is unlikely a climate bill will be enacted in this Congress.

Fossil fuel lobbyists, of course, couldn’t be happier. The status quo ensures that the companies they represent will continue to reap maximum profits. Members of Congress are reluctant to run afoul of big coal and big oil, who have the resources to chase from office anyone viewed as a threat.

To counter this pressure and embolden our members of Congress to enact effective climate legislation, we must build a coalition of influential voices willing to communicate with their senators and representatives.

Take action:

Reach out to people of influence in your community and ask them to write to their members of Congress, indicating their support to enact legislation that places a fee on carbon and returns the revenue to all households. Such people would include mayors, city council members, presidents of colleges and universities, entrepreneurs involved with green technology, pastors of churches and other faith leaders.

Step 1

Send a letter to a person of influence requesting a meeting to discuss support for federal climate legislation. Enclose the CCL “Carbon Fee and Dividend” proposal with the letter. You can download sample letters for business leaders, faith leaders and political leaders. Download the CCL proposal here.

Step 2

Wait three or four days after sending the letter and then follow up with a phone call to request a meeting.

Step 3

Meet with the person of influence. Talk to them about the importance of passing effective climate legislation and how critical their support is. Ask them to write to senators and representatives expressing their support for an effective solution to the climate and energy crisis. You can provide them with a sample letter. Ask for a copy of the letters that are sent.

Step 4

Send copies of those letters to CCL so we can track the progress of this campaign.
1330 Orange Ave #300,
Coronado, CA 92118.