Global warming got you down? Worried about ice caps and glaciers melting, species disappearing, hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes? (Not to mention possible water shortages in southern California.)
If you're like me, you often use the very human mechanism of denial to cope with this fear. Sometimes I simply skip over newspaper articles about the latest bird species annihilation or prediction of coral death. There's a limit to the bad news I can take in one day!
At the same time, however, as humans we all have a 'fight or flight' impulse when faced with danger. Since we can't flee the Earth-in fact we love it and don't want to -- most of us southern Sierrans also fight against global warming. You buy your compact fluorescents, use cloth shopping bags, maybe walk or ride your bike more or even get a Prius.
Do you ever wish you could do more?
Now there is something more you can do: our Chapter's Global Warming, Energy & Air Quality Committee is offering a new way to fight global warming--one that utilizes our collective clout to oppose special interest lobbyists who don't seem to take seriously the heating up of the earth.
Here's what you can do: two years ago the California legislature enacted a global warming bill, AB 32, which creates a model for the nation. What you may not know--I didn't until recently--is that, while passing the bill is a huge victory, the details of implementing it are not yet specified. As you read this, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is making implementation decisions that will make or break this law. If oil and auto industry and other special interest lobbyists have their way, they'll gut the bill.
That's where YOU come in. The Club has a great lobbying staff in Sacramento, but you and I and the other 49,998 members of our Angeles Chapter also have a great deal of potential power. To make that power reality, the Global Warming E&AQ Committee is asking you to participate in a series of email campaigns telling CARB the specific, strong measures that we want them to include in implementation of AB 32.
If you email us at globalwarmingaction@gmail.com, I'll send you the suggested text of our first email to send to CARB. It's a message to insist that, if the state sets up a cap and trade system for carbon emissions - as is very likely - that the right to emit greenhouse gases be sold at auction, rather than given away to polluters in a 'cap and trade' scheme. Revenue from these permits could then go for the public benefit, such as for promoting clean energy and helping low income people pay high utility bills. If you don't use email, please see the 'For Snail Mail Users' box below for the suggested text of a snail mail letter you can send.
You can learn more about this issue by watching Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope explain 'cap-and-auction' in 45 seconds at www.sierraclubcalifornia.org or by reading our Cap and Auction Design Position Paper at www.sierraclubcalifornia.org/globalwarming.html
The future of life on this planet depends on controlling greenhouse gas emissions. You can play a crucial role in making sure California lives up to the promise to control those emissions. So please email us today at globalwarmingaction@gmail.com.
Tell us too if you'd like to volunteer to help in this campaign. We'd love to have you.
For Snail Mail Users:
If you'd like to send a snail mail letter, please personalize this text:
Mary Nichols, Chair
California Air Resources Board
1001 'I' Street
P.O. Box 2815
Sacramento, CA 95812
Dear CARB Chair Nichols,
If California, as seems likely, sets up a system requiring large polluters to hold permits for their emissions, it is essential that polluters pay for permits to emit greenhouse gases. Permits to pollute should not be given away free. A good way to set prices of these permits would be through an auction to provide a real incentive for polluters to reduce carbon emissions. An auction will also raise needed revenue for promoting clean energy and for program administration.
Thank you for your work on this important issue.
Your name and address
Please send copies to Global Warming E & AQ Committee, Angeles Chapter, 3250 Wilshire Blvd. #1106, Los Angeles, CA 90010.