Chop Wood, Carry Water 8/6
Hope is an action.
Hi, all, and happy Friday!
I’m at another meeting—this time the South Coast Air Quality Management District— waiting to make public comment. These meetings are tedious, but as we know, this is the kind of repetitive, unglamorous work that’s necessary to force change. In fact, most of the “miracle turnarounds” we see in policy are actually the result of regular people like you and me doing things like this over months and even years.
As I type I’m listening to moms, members of front-line communities, retirees, and even one extremely persistent and brilliant unhoused gentleman (Harvey E., who is at this meeting every month) asking the board to do better on air pollution. All of them have been waiting for hours to speak. All of them are summoning their courage, finding their voices, and speaking truth to power.
Today I will allow them to inspire me, and perhaps you as well.
Then let’s use that inspiration to make our calls.
P.S. I got a 9 out of 11 on this week’s news quiz—how about you?
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, I’m frustrated that it’s taking so long to confirm David Chipman to run the ATF. Gun violence is one of the worst problems facing this country; the delay is inexcusable. Please ask the Senator to forcefully push for his confirmation now.
Second, I support the Wyden/Lummis/Toomey amendment to the infrastructure bill. It will ensure Americans pay the taxes they owe on cryptocurrency while also fostering innovation here at home and protecting our environment. It’s critical we get this right. Please ask the Senator to support this, NOT the Portman/Sinema amendment. Thanks.
Finally I want the Senate to prioritize passing voting rights legislation above everything else. Thanks!
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, I know Senator Markey and Representatives Levin and Bowman just introduced legislation to remove toxic substances from school buildings across the country. It’s called the Get Toxic Substances Out of Schools Act, and I’d like the Congressmember to support it.
I’d also like him/her to co-sponsor the Make Polluters Pay Climate Act, which could raise up to $500 billion from polluting mega-corporations over the next decade. The funds would be used to pay for renewable energy research as well as to assist communities in responding to and preparing for extreme weather disasters. It’s a no-brainer. Thanks.
Extra Credit
Please tweet this or share it on your other social (grab a graphic to go with it here):
We need a @FERC nominee who:
✅ Opposes fossil fuels and false solutions
✅ Champions #RenewableEnergy
✅ Puts #EnvironmentalJustice first
@POTUS it's time for an EJ champ @FERC, read the letter here ➡️ https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/energy-justice/pdfs/Sign-on-Letter-re-FERC-Nominee.pdf
Alternatively you can RT my tweet here.
SAVE THE SENATE! Stop the Recall!
Indivisible Northridge is hosting a virtual event/action next Wednesday, August 11 from 7:30 pm – 9 pm PST to give everyone focused actions they can take to support Governor Gavin Newsom and stop the recall. They will go through highly effective actionable items you can take to put a stop to this power grab. They will also be discussing messaging, coordinated actions and much more.
Again, this is about holding on to the Senate. ALL Americans should be concerned, and all of you can help.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to President Biden] [H/T]
The climate emergency is worsening each day, and communities of color and low-wealth communities are disproportionately bearing the brunt of toxic fossil fuel pollution, crushing energy burdens, and climate disasters. Your appointment of a Commissioner to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is a critical opportunity to address these multiple crises.
It is crucial that the new commissioner is committed to: (1) opposing new and phasing out existing fossil fuels and false solutions like gas and carbon capture and sequestration; (2) championing and integrating renewable energy onto the grid, particularly decentralized systems like rooftop and community solar and storage that advance energy democracy and climate resilience; and (3) ensuring that issues of
environmental, energy and ecological justice pervade all of the Commission’s decision-making, including open and transparent public processes led by a fully staffed and funded Office of Public Participation.
I believe there are excellent candidates who fit these criteria. I specifically urge you to consider Mr. Daniel Blackman, Ms. Marquita Bradshaw, and Ms. Nidhi Thakar, who are examples of the type of leadership on environmental and energy justice that your next nominee for FERC commissioner must embody. Thanks!
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess