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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMunicipal Resolutions Handout 120220 Who is Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL):  Non-partisan, non-profit organization of ordinary citizens concerned about climate change,  25 Wisconsin chapters with 6,461 members  478 US chapters with 181,220 members  600 World wide chapters with 194,540 members What CCL Does:  Empower people to use their influence to enact climate legislation at a National level  Build relationships with elected officials  Work to get Congress to enact the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, currently pending in Congress as HR 763  Educates the public and local groups on climate change impacts and the power of Carbon Fee and Dividend legislation to jump start the reduction of carbon pollution What is HR 763 and How does it work:  Places a price on fossil fuels. This creates a market-driven demand for cleaner energy technologies. Reduces U.S. carbon emissions by correcting market distortions.  Returns revenue directly to every U.S. citizen in the form of a monthly “Carbon Cash Back” divident payment protecting people and stimulating the local economy.  This bipartisan and revenue-neutral plan is at present our best chance for significant positive change. It stimulates the economy, encourages alternative energy innovation, and costs the government nothing. The cash back policy ensures that all citizens will be able to balance their budgets while our economy makes the transition to clean, renewable energy as quickly as possible. Who’s Concerned About Climate Change: Please see the YPCC Fact Sheet attached to this email for Winnebago County specific graphs.  100+ local governments across 25 states support the Energy Innovation Act (8/11/20). These local leaders recognize the importance of finding creative solutions to the problem of global warming.  In Wisconsin, 11 local governments passed a resolution supporting HR 763 while 10 others passed resolutions or referendums supporting general climate legislation How Climate Change Affects Us  Less Ice on local lakes - Local sportsmen recall the 2020 sturgeon season was hampered by too little ice. It’s an obvious trend on most Wisconsin Lakes. Lake Mendota averaged 110 days of ice covering during the 1950’s but since 2000 the average has been 70 days. This ice melt will almost certainly accelerate.  Increased flooding – In June 2018, flooding in Wisconsin cased $12 million in damage to roads and overpasses in six NW Wisconsin counties. In August and September, additional flooding caused enough damage in 18 counties to qualify for FEMA disaster relief. The torrential rains caused the Neenah-Menasha sewage treatment plant to overflow and spill untreated sewage into Little Lake Butte des Mort and nearby streets for close to six hours. JWe have had flooding in the past, but not at these levels. These types of severe rainstorms are predicated to happen more frequently in Wisconsin as climate change intensifies resulting in more frequent flooding, devastating local infrastructure.  Economic impact of climate-related disasters occurring elsewhere – Our pocketbooks are affected since the federal government ends up paying for much of the damage with funds that come from us as taxpayers. Why we need your help:  To send a message to elected officials in D.C. that there is public support for Carbon Fee and Dividend legislation. If community leaders agree that supporting HR 763 is a good idea, then we hope that our Representatives and Senators would take note. You are in a position to make a real difference here.