GRASSROOTS ACTION PRIORITIES
The LWVUS Climate Change Task Force has identified a few key areas where state and local League action can make a critical difference in curbing global climate change.
- In light of the U.S. federal government's current retreat from the fight against climate change, strong climate action at the state and local levels has become more important than ever. In the wake of the announcement of the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, several networks of government, business, and university leaders have formed to promote efforts to fulfill the U.S. pledge under the Paris accord. Learn more about this determined commitment to Climate Action.
- Economists -- and many others, including League members -- agree that putting a price on carbon is the most effective way to reduce GHG emissions. Indeed, delegates at the LWVUS Convention in June 2014 voted overwhelmingly in support of League efforts to put a price on carbon. Learn more here about how Leagues can help promote this market-based approach to curbing carbon pollution. And visit the LWVUS-endorsed Price on Carbon website for detailed information about this strategy.
- Leagues can also make a critical difference by working for strong climate and energy policies at the state and local levels. Not only can such policies achieve meaningful reductions in GHG emissions right now, they can also (1) provide important examples of programs that work, (2) demonstrate popular support for addressing climate change, and (3) help pressure Congress to enact a comprehensive climate policy for our country.
There are two issue areas in particular where League action at the state and local levels can make a real impact on GHG emissions -- energy efficiency in buildings and renewable energy. Please review the material in these two sections and consider how your League might work on one of the policy initiatives described.
• Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Mitigation efforts -- actions we take to limit carbon pollution -- no matter how rigorous, cannot prevent the climate from continuing to change for the foreseeable future. Adaptation -- efforts taked to decrease vulnerability and limit the impacts of climate change -- is critical as well. This section provides information about how Leagues can help their communities prepare for these climate impacts and describes possible adaptation strategies for specific sectors of the economy and other areas of interest.
The task force would like to collect and share your experiences in working on initiatives in these issue areas -- and/or on climate solutions in general. If your League has a story to share, please tell us about it by answering this set of suggested questions. We will collect your stories and post them here so other Leagues can learn from, and be inspired by, your experiences.
Last updated: 7/16/2017.