Climate 411

As interns for the National Climate Campaign, one of our responsibilities is to deliver letters from constituents directly to their senators.  We go to Capitol Hill everyday, carrying hundreds of letters and petitions, hoping to pass on the word to Senators that citizens in their states support comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation.

We all love being a part of this awesome process.   We know that people in the environmental community support a strong, comprehensive clean energy bill but we have been blown away with the influx of letters from Americans from all walks of life calling for clean energy.

Single moms, factory workers and concerned students alike are writing in to tell their senators that clean energy and climate are important to them.  And we’re just happy to be able to pass their sentiments along. Here is just one of the great letters we have come across so far:

Time is running out with the Senate vote set for mid-July.

Please go here for details on how to get your letters into Senators hands ASAP.

-The National Climate Campaign Interns: Olivia Rogan, Lian Han, Kyle Hertzberg and Anna Pickren

ToledoBlade.com –“Climate for change?”

Editorial

“Despite all the critics, the time is ripe to take comprehensive action on climate and energy.”

“Every day the Gulf of Mexico oil spill continues is a reminder of the perils of our addiction to carbon-based energy sources. Passing a bill will be tough, but doing nothing will be tougher on the nation.”

The Voices of a New Clean Energy Future is an ongoing series that draws attention to thoughtful pieces from individuals who understand the importance of passing comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation – business leaders, politicians, policy experts, and concerned citizens like you. EDF is proud to highlight their voices and contributions to the climate and energy debate.

Winston-Salem Journal – “At first light”

Editorial

“We can’t condemn the suppliers, but over time we can change the economic model. The notion of clean energy now holds a whole new meaning. It’s time to embrace it.”

The Ledger – “On Global Warming, Listen to NASA Rather Than Those Who Profit”

By Debra Frances, resident of Lakeland, Florida

“Listening to ClimateDepot.com and Exxon Mobil on global warming is akin to listening to big tobacco in the 1980s tell us smoking is harmless…. I would rather listen to NASA any day. NASA reported that April this year was the hottest April on record. NASA says, “It is nearly certain that a new 12-month global temperature record will be set in 2010.” The last 12-month record was 2007. These record-breaking temperatures are coming thick and fast. We can discuss global means and record sets, but the overall trend is apparent.”

The Times Ledger – “Country’s security dependent upon energy legislation”

By Joseph O. Monitt, executive director of the Philadelphia-based Clean Air Council

“We must let our elected officials, specifically Sen. Arlen Specter, of Philadelphia, and Sen. Bob Casey, of Scranton, know that we need them to be leaders in passing strong climate and energy legislation, not simply energy legislation, and that we need it now. We cannot afford to wait for another environmental disaster to occur in order to move forward, toward a clean energy economy in America.”