An example of the postcards Washingtonians are sending this year to encourage voters to vote no on 2117. (Photo credit: Hannah Clary, grad student and CCL WA-Tri-Cities volunteer)
In 2021 The Washington Climate Commitment Act was implemented to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2050 by providing for a cap and invest program. This allows for companies that successfully reduce emissions to sell their remaining permits to other companies, encouraging companies to emit less and less.
Washington Initiative 2117, the Prohibit Carbon Tax Credit Trading Initiative would ban state agencies from placing a cap on emission; thus, repealing the act of 2021. This would not only be a major step backward, but make it increasingly difficult to pass future legislation in support of environmental protection.
If you’re a voter in Washington State this November who cares about the environment, you need to vote NO on initiative 2117.
Graduate student and CCL volunteer, Cheryl Crow, has been helping to get the word out about I-2117. She says that the initiative, “has prompted a response from the Washington teens. An increased awareness of the greenhouse gasses dangers has been seen among the youth, and voices rise to fight for the future of the earth and the living quality of future generations.” She explains that in response to the proposal, teens are finding themselves motivated to make a positive difference in the world, leave a mark on their communities, and be a part of something larger than themselves. Many are discovering a platform to speak up through volunteer organizations like CCL. In turn, these young adults are gaining experience with legislators, practicing formal communication, stepping into leadership roles, enhancing their mobilizing skills, and making memorable friendships.
Right now the Citizens' Climate Lobby Youth Team in Washington has turned their attention to spreading awareness to businesses and organizations, large and small, about the Climate Commitment Act and I-2117. The team has been devoting their energy to presenting to staff, volunteers, and other audiences with the goal that each listener would leave the presentation an informed voter who can then disseminate what they learned to others in their circle.
Volunteers for the WA Tri-Cities chapter at a postcarding event. (Photo credit: Steven Ghan, CCL WA-Tri-Cities group leader)
Additionally, the team has been able to connect with City Council members to bring attention to the pressing environmental issues and looking for ways to collaborate.
How can you help? CCL needs volunteers to send postcards. We’ll provide the postcard. All we ask is that you write these between now and October and mail them on October 18 so they arrive with the ballots. Many chapters across the state have already been writing postcards, and CCL Washington hopes to send 10,000 postcards before election day. One of the volunteers organizing postcarding parties for the Tri-Cities chapter, Hannah Clary, is a graduate student herself. She has found it difficult to balance showing up in CCL activities with her full time job and studies, but it has been really motivating to get involved in something so tangible and impactful. After just three parties, they’ve already nearly met their goal of sending 1,000 postcards! If you want to host your own postcarding party - no matter where you are in the country - you can learn more here.