Climate change is here and already changing our world. Bold climate action is needed now!
The evidence of climate change is all around us. More frequent and intense storms. Deadly heat waves and massive wild fires. Melting glaciers, rising sea levels and coastal flooding. These rapid and devastating changes highlight the urgent need for action — by all of us — as individuals and collectively — in our communities, at the state and federal levels, and internationally.
The League, with its nonpartisan, reasoned voice, has an opportunity and a particularly critical role to play in building consensus and advancing effective solutions to the climate crisis. It's clear that we are facing a climate emergency, but there is still time to act. This toolkit provides action plans and resources that Leagues and League members can use to
- engage people in their community in taking steps to save energy and reduce their carbon footprint,
- work with their community to set emissions-reduction goals and then develop and implement a plan to achieve those goals, and
- build grassroots support for strong climate action at the state and federal levels.
NEW. On January 17, 2020, in a 2-1 vote, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the climate lawsuit (Juliana et al v United States) brought in August 2015 by 21 young people, who argue that the federal government is violating their constitutional rights by promoting the development and use of fossil fuels, despite knowing for decades that fossil fuels are destroying the climate system. Two judges found "reluctantly" that, while there may be constitutional rights at stake, the courts cannot order a remedy. The third judge on the panel found in favor of the youth.
>> A timeline of events in the lawsuit is available here.
MORE. On April 25, 2019, the Price on Carbon Steering Committee hosted its sixth webinar, Cap and Trade is Alive and Well, featuring Nat Keohane, VIce-President of the Environmental Defense Fund. A summary of Mr. Keohane's presentation and a link to the recording of the webinar are available here.
MORE. In light of the federal government's retreat from the fight against climate change, several networks of government, business, and university leaders have formed to promote efforts to fulfill the U.S. pledge under the Paris Agreement. Learn about this determined commitment to Climate Action here.
AND, The LWVUS Board has approved a position statement on climate change, to be included in an updated edition of Impact on Issues, due to be published this spring. The position statement as well as climate-related resolutions approved at recent LWVUS Conventions is available here.
Using the toolkit
There are numerous ways in which to take part in protecting the planet. Start by reviewing this mini-guide to the many resources in the toolkit. And as you get involved, please share your comments about the toolkit and your experiences working on climate change.
Taking part in LWVUS and global action initiatives
Keep up-to-date with LWVUS work on Global Climate Change. Make sure you and your members receive LWVUS Action Alerts.
Take part in climate action events in your community. Upcoming global events: Earth Hour 2020, 8:30pm-9:30pm local time, Saturday, March 28, 2020; and Earth Day on April 22, which this year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, April 22, 1970. The Earth Day 2020 theme is Climate Action.
Last updated: 3/26/2020