Inside the Greenhouse is a monthly newsletter that provides insight into FCNL’s environmental work, discusses opportunities to engage members of Congress on environmental issues, and shares stories of your work around the country.

Inside the Greenhouse

COP23 in Bonn: The 23rd meeting of the Conference of Parties (nations signed onto the UN climate treaty) began on November 6th in Bonn, Germany to advance international climate action. With Nicaragua joining the Paris Climate Agreement in October, and Syria announcing its intent to join the agreement during the Bonn negotiations, the U.S. is now the only country in the world not committed to the Paris agreement. During the negotiations, Trump administration officials are expected to promote coal, natural gas, and nuclear power as the solution to climate change. However, another high-powered U.S. delegation is backing the Paris agreement and includes such individuals as renowned business leader Michael Bloomberg, California Governor Jerry Brown, Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, as well as numerous federal, state, and local legislators.

Support International Climate Funding

Ask Your Senators to Fund the UNFCCC and IPCC

This month, show your support for international climate action by calling on your senators to fund two key international climate programs: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) which convenes the COP meetings, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which provides research and reports on climate change to the global community.

Quiet Conversation on Climate at FCNL’s Quaker Welcome Center: On November 15, Climate Solutions Caucus members Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA) and Rep. Ryan Costello (PA) joined us at the newly-opened Quaker Welcome Center for a far-reaching climate conversation that demonstrated the importance of providing a space for dialogue. Read more and watch the event.

The Climate Solutions Caucus on the House Floor: On November 1st, members of the Climate Solutions Caucus took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to speak on their reasons for joining the caucus, and the importance of addressing climate change. Republican Representative Carlos Curbelo and Democratic Representative Ted Deutch, the co-chairs of the caucus, spoke along with members of the caucus from both sides of the aisle. Watch the speeches.

FCNL Recognizes Representative Carlos Curbelo for Cultivating Bipartisan Dialogue on Climate Change: During FCNL’s Annual meeting, our staff presented Representative Carlos Curbelo with a Special Recognition for Cultivating Bipartisan Dialogue on Climate Change. The recognition honors Representative Curbelo’s work to co-found and advance the bipartisan House Climate Solutions Caucus, and advance bipartisan dialogue around the pressing issue of climate change. Representative Curbelo responded to the recognition in the following video:

FCNL Welcomes Transparency in Energy Production Act: On October 26th, Rep. Alan Lowenthal (CA) introduced the Transparency in Energy Production Act of 2017, along with cosponsors Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL), Ted Deutch (FL), Carlos Curbelo (FL), and Niki Tsongas (MA). The bill would require the Department of the Interior to publicly disclose the amounts and sources of greenhouse gas emissions coming from public lands.

The PREPARE Act Passes Unanimously Out of Committee: On November 2nd, the bipartisan PREPARE Act passed the House Oversight and Government Reform (OGR) Committee, with a unanimous vote. The bill was re-introduced this year by Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA) and Rep. Leonard Lance (NJ). The PREPARE Act would require the establishment of a federal interagency council whose purpose would be to provide recommendations on the best means of planning and preparing for extreme weather incidents. Additionally, the bill would provide state and local stakeholders with the best information and practices available to help them formulate emergency preparation plans tailored to their needs. We’re looking forward to more movement on this important legislation.

News and Updates

Study by the Government Accountability Office, Commissioned by Senators Collins and Cantwell, finds climate change will be extremely costly: Congressional Auditor Urges Action to Address Climate Change
The first draft of the 4th National Climate Assessment was released for public comment. The Public Comment Period runs from 03 November 2017 through 31 January 2018. Visit GlobalChange.gov to register as a reviewer and to see the draft
Syria announces intent to join the Paris Climate Agreement during negotiations in Bonn: Syria Joins Paris Climate Accord, Leaving Only U.S. Opposed

There are currently 62 members of the Climate Solutions Caucus

The Climate Solutions Caucus is the first bipartisan body of its kind. It educates representatives on economically-viable options to reduce climate risk and explores bipartisan policy options that address the impacts, causes, and challenges of our changing climate. See who’s involved.

Advocacy Corps Spotlight

In Action: On October 18th, Sarah Haber organized a group of individuals from Newtown Friends Meeting to go and talk with Representative Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania about climate change. The Newtown delegation packed the room with 17 people who were able to meet with Rep. Fitzpatrick in person. During the visit, the delegation encouraged Rep. Fitzpatrick to cosponsor the SUPER Act, and discussed why they were personally calling for action on climate change. Congratulations to Sarah and the Newtown Meeting group on a successful lobby visit.

Inside the Greenhouse

April 25, 2018

lobbying: Fitzpatrick, Newtown Friends Meeting

In the News: This month, Daniel Bellerose published a letter to the editor in the Roanoke Times urging Senator Goodlatte to address climate change. In the article Daniel discusses the importance of planning for extreme weather events such as Hurricane Harvey. Daniel calls on Representative Goodlatte to strengthen his position on climate change by joining the Climate Solutions Caucus. Read the full letter.