By Courtney Cina
Jambar Contributor
The Citizens’ Climate Lobby opened a new chapter in the Youngstown/Warren area on March 30. The chapter had over 12 members in attendance at the first meeting, located at the Liberty library, volunteers proceeded in training courses to become knowledgeable of climate change.
John Sabin, Great Lakes regional co-coordinator, said the chapter is committed to “building the political will for the climate solutions we all need as empowered citizens.”
While in Washington D.C. in 2018, members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the bipartisan Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, which explains the fee-and-dividend approach CCL supports. CCL is now advocating for this specific bill.
Sabin gave a presentation about CCL and its history and educated new advocates that CCL took 1,200 members to Capitol Hill in 2018. With 100,000 plus supporters currently, Sabin said CCL continues to grow.
Three members from the area, Marne Cario, Rebecca Beharry and Alexis Smith, organized the meeting.
Leanna Laughlin, a junior communication major at Youngstown State University, expressed her interest in climate change and the importance of attending the meeting.
“The knowledge behind the act itself is something that we need to be educated about. We need to make climate change issues apparent and advocate for a cleaner environment,” Laughlin said.
“According to energyinnovation.org, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act will reduce America’s emissions by at least 40% within 12 years. This is supported by economists and scientists as simple, comprehensive and effective,” CCL said
Cario, co-leader of the Youngstown‘s CCL chapter, advocates for the act.
“This act will boost the economic growth and roughly give two million jobs locally across America,” Cario said.
According to CCL, this is a bipartisan climate solution meaning both republicans and democrats are on board.
Among other chapters of CCL, Ohio lawmakers Rob Portman and Tim Ryan have been introduced to the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of CCL, according to Sabin.
Rebecca Beharry, co-leader of the Youngstown chapter, makes connections of climate change to carbon emissions.
“Our carbon footprint has left a mark on this earth and with that this chapter, hopefully we can campaign for a solution,” Beharry said.
Beharry said CCL chapters are making a difference. They established the House Climate Solutions Caucus, a bipartisan group in the U.S. House of Representatives that will explore policy options that address the impacts, causes, and challenges of our changing climate.
CCL recruited co-sponsors to the Republican Climate Resolution at the federal level, a Republican-led resolution that recognizes the impact of climate change and calls for action to reduce future risk.
To join the chapter or become involved visit www.citizensclimatelobby.org.