By Attilio Abarca-Bodden, Citizens’ Climate Lobby
From June 8 to 11, I had the privilege of attending the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) Summer Conference and Lobby Day. This experience profoundly improved my leadership skills, community engagement and personal growth, thanks to the conference’s detailed organization and supportive learning environment.
The passionate and organized volunteer workforce of CCL was inspiring. Every attendee I met was educated, enthusiastic and committed to making a lasting impact, especially my Southeast Regional Coordinator Solemi Hernandez, who helped me register; State Coordinator Lisa Ruckman, who was so welcoming; and Miami CCL Chapter Leader Greg Hamra, who informed me about this opportunity.
Upon arrival, I received a lanyard and a comprehensive booklet that included a hotel map and clear directions. The booklet also highlighted various action teams within CCL, such as the diversity team and the global civics team, dedicated to making CCL’s political advocacy more accessible. There was also an action team fair, where representatives from all of these different teams were there to engage with volunteers and recruit them onto different teams, diversifying the skillset and toolset of volunteers based on their interests.
The conference featured numerous expert speakers on environmental policy and its intersections with other policy areas. The wealth of information and insight provided was remarkable, leaving my only complaint being that the conference wasn’t longer. Topics covered ranged from electrification to the farm bill, to Lobby Day training and more.
After the conference, Lobby Day began. During my time on the Hill, I learned that environmental issues have become so critical that they can no longer be ignored, even in congressional offices. Not long ago, raising these issues often led to dismissal. Now, most officials find it unavoidable to engage in these discussions. Offices are acutely aware of issues not only in their district, but what the major points of contention are around pieces of legislation, and they work every day toward coming to an agreement on these pieces of legislation.
One of the most debated policies is the carbon fee and dividend, which proposes pricing carbon pollution and returning the fees to constituents. Although this policy faces bipartisan challenges, it remains a potent solution for reducing carbon emissions. All of the offices I visited had a dedicated team behind each House or Senate member, all of them specializing in a different area to aid the member. The offices I visited were receptive, attentive and well-informed, though looming reelections suggest it will take more time to reach a resolution.
My experience on the Hill revealed that every day, dedicated individuals strive to make the world better and they are fully aware of our environmental issues. The power of a single constituent’s voice is real and impactful. Doubting this power is a significant mistake.
For those interested in environmental advocacy and policy, I highly recommend the Citizens’ Climate Lobby for its effectiveness, outstanding staff and dedicated volunteers. I plan on attending as many of these conferences as possible. I am extremely grateful to the CCL for the scholarship to attend and to Bill Marshall for sponsoring it.
Attilio Abarca-Bodden is Broward chapter leader for Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Banner image: U.S. Capitol building (FEMA/Bill Koplitz, via Wikimedia Commons)
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