What's Next? TAKE ACTION!
Birthright Earth has been steadily fundraising, planning, and designing our initial trip to South America for 2010. But summer 2010 seems a long way off, and many supporters have been asking, “What can I do for Birthright Earth NOW?” We are in the process of expanding our campus representative program and building the capacity of our organization. Our first step towards this expansion will be to help you take action.
Right now, we have the opportunity to help pass powerful legislation to make the United States a true leader in the fight against climate change. The alternative is to sit idly by, and allow the United States to continue to take the back seat. The American Clean Energy and Security Act, also known as the Waxman-Markey bill or Cap and Trade, will come up for discussion in the Senate in the next few months. We believe that our generation’s voices must be heard in this fight, and that they must be heard now.
Let’s show our representatives that America’s youth cares about climate change, and that we want them to pass clean energy reform this year. Let’s send a powerful message that we are in this fight and tired of taking a back seat. Will you help us and make your voice heard? Let’s ask our representatives in Washington to be the leaders we elected them to be.
Having witnessed the fight over health care these past few months, we know the battle to lead in climate change legislation will be just as tough. We all need to know the facts, fight the fight and make sure Washington delivers on a bill that can literally save the world.
Here’s what needs to be done:
GET THE FACTS: CHEAT SHEET
Here is your one-stop shop for all the facts on the American Clean Energy and Security Act. We all know that legislation is complex, confusing, and most importantly, LONG. So we’ve created a little cheat sheet to help you understand the important proposals in the bill and be able to talk to your friends about what energy reform really means.
INCREASE: The ACES bill requires that electrical utilities INCREASE their efficiency and ensure that 20% of their energy demands are met through the use of renewable energy sources by 2020.
INVEST: By 2025, the bill requires that almost $200 billion be INVESTED in new clean energy technologies and efficiency techniques, including funding for research and development.
REDUCE: The Cap and Trade bill will actually cap emissions. The final goal is to REDUCE emissions by 80% by the year 2050 from where we are now.
In sum: we need to increase efficiency. We need to invest in clean energy. We need to reduce emissions. And we can do it all, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, for the cost of one postage stamp a day per family. For 44 cents a day, energy reform is something we can all afford to fight for.
WRITE YOUR SENATOR
To: Your Senator
I am writing to express my support for clean energy reform. As a college student, I believe that the United States must be a leader in the fight against climate change, and set an example by increasing efficiency, investing in renewable energy, and reducing carbon emissions. Please vote YES for the American Clean Energy and Security Act.
Sincerely,
Your Name
CALL YOUR SENATOR
When you call your senator’s office in Washington, DC, remember these few points:
- Introduce yourself.
- Be polite.
- Clearly state your opinion and your support for energy reform.
- Be confident- its your Senator’s job to represent you!
Example Script: “Hi, my name is (YOUR NAME HERE). I live in (YOUR TOWN) and I attend (INSERT SCHOOL). I am calling to express my support for energy reform and to ask (YOUR SENATOR) to support the fight against climate change as well by voting YES on the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Thank you for your time.”
SPREAD THE WORD
The more calls and letters your Senator gets, the more likely they will be to vote for energy reform. Spread the word! Tell your friends to call their Senators, too.
Hi! Will you help me in the fight against climate change? With the help of Birthright Earth (www.birthrightearth.com), I just called/wrote my Senator and told them to vote for energy reform. It was easy and it felt great. Make your voice heard, too!
KEEP DOING YOUR PART
From all of us here at Birthright Earth, thank you for all you do. Together, we can make a difference and stop climate change.
To stay involved, please sign up for our newsletter for updates on events, news, and action items at Birthright Earth: (www.birthrightearth.com/newsletter.php)
Thanks again.
