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For Earth Day, we’ve sent hundreds of postcards to the president

biden climate summit

President Biden addresses the Leaders Summit on Climate, April 22, 2021. Photo by Al Drago for The New York Times.

By Flannery Winchester

Today is Earth Day! At the White House’s international climate summit, which began this morning, President Biden formally pledged that America will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030. 

Here at CCL, we’re thrilled to see America’s elected leaders showing such ambition to tackle climate change. A reduction of 50% (down from 2005 emission levels) in the next 9 years is a steep goal, and a necessary one. To get there, President Biden and Congress will need to engage every tool in the toolbox, including the strongest tool available — a carbon price.

To show President Biden how popular this policy approach is, CCL volunteers have been sending hundreds of postcards to the White House all throughout the month of April. The postcards feature photos of places and people our volunteers love, and the messages are filled with earnest pleas for bold action from the President. Let’s take a look at some of them.

One CCLer from Delaware put a family vacation photo on her postcard, writing, “A few years ago, my family visited Glacier National Park, and it was startling to see how much the glaciers have receded in just a few short decades! My kids were still able to see these glaciers, but I’m afraid it’s something their kids will never witness.”

biden climate postcard

Another volunteer, Mollee, sent President Biden a postcard from her family’s “happy place” — Sandbridge Beach, Virginia. She said, “As much as I love coming here, I can’t help but grieve that it could be underwater in my kids’ lifetimes if we don’t act now.”

biden climate postcard

Each postcard emphasized the policy Citizens’ Climate Lobby wants Biden and Congress to pursue. One Maryland volunteer wrote, “I appreciate all you and your administration are doing to solve the climate crisis, but one vital tool is missing — a price on carbon.” 

biden climate postcard

Many messages specifically named the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 2307) as a worthwhile policy. An Ohio volunteer told President Bident, “Experts say it will reduce emissions rapidly and effectively, with a 30% reduction in just the first 5 years. It’s the single most powerful tool we have, so please include carbon pricing in your plans.”

biden climate postcard

To see more postcards, visit CCL’s Instagram profile and check out the story highlight called “Postcards.” 

To send a postcard of your own and add to the chorus urging President Biden to back a carbon price, follow the instructions here

As we celebrate Earth Day today, and as President Biden convenes world leaders to tackle this global challenge, let’s make sure our voices are heard!

Flannery Winchester has put her words to work for magazines, for marketing agencies, and now for our earth as CCL's Communications Director. She is grateful to spend every day working to preserve this beautiful planet.