Inside the Greenhouse is a monthly newsletter about FCNL’s environmental work, ways to engage members of Congress, and stories of your work around the country. In addition to FCNL’s staff lobbyists, this year our Advocacy Corps — 20 young people nationwide — are working with us for congressional action on climate change.
Support International Climate Action
This special edition of FCNL’s energy and environment newsletter, Inside the Greenhouse, is in honor of Earth Day. If you don’t normally receive it, you can sign up here to get it in your inbox every month.
I will never forget listening to my friend from Fiji describe the anguish and fear she and her friends from other small-island nations feel because of sea-level rise caused by climate change. She said “We’re begging the world to come save us. … It is a question of our everyday survival. … Can your country spare some soil?”
Right now, the U.S. has an important opportunity to demonstrate our continued commitment to the people whose way of life is already threatened by climate change. Earlier this year, Congress passed a funding bill that did not include the $10 million we have historically given to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This Earth Day, urge your members of Congress to restore funding for international climate action.
On Earth Day, Speak Out for Global Action on Climate Change
Read the rest of Emily Wirzba’s Earth Day reflection here.
Climate Solutions Caucus
The Climate Solutions Caucus gained two new members in April. Representatives Perlmutter (CO-07) and Hultgren (IL-14) joined the caucus on Earth Day!
There are currently 74 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.
News and Updates
-Climate Solutions Caucus members Rep. John Faso (NY) and Rep. Dan Lipinski (IL) outline their new competitive energy innovation bill: Creating prize competitions to encourage finding breakthroughs in fighting climate change
-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt faces a host of scandals and allegations of corruption: E.P.A. Officials Sidelined After Questioning Scott Pruitt
-Three Republican lawmakers in the Climate Solutions Caucus call for the removal of Pruitt as scandals break: GOP lawmaker calls on Pruitt to resign
Advocacy Corps Spotlight
In Yellow Springs, OH, Advocacy Corps Organizer Angel Nalubega brought a staff member from Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office to Antioch College to talk with 37 students, faculty, and staff about protecting the environment. The discussion touched on ways the senator can protect climate and environment funding in the 2019 budget and ways to make climate change a national priority. Participants brought up fracking, lead and drinking water, and climate change. Sen. Brown’s staff member discussed their past bipartisan efforts to protect climate funding in the budget, and promised to bring the concerns he’d heard to the senator. He also expressed interest in getting more involved with college communities in the Miami Valley area. Congratulations to Angel on a fantastic community forum!
