Update #2
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July 1st, 2009: Sent by Camila Thorndike
Heya team,
Minus the Maryland specifications, this article sums up the confusing feeling I and many others have been experiencing since ACES (American Clean Energy and Security Act) passed the House.
You might be wondering:
* Should we celebrate the fact a climate law made it through step one?
* How do we ensure the final law matches our urgency?
* What happens if it fails, either in strength or passage?
* What is our role as students, young people, voters and leaders in the coming months and year?
One of the most amazing moments of the summer was to actually be in the House when ACES passed with 219 votes. The triumph and elation was unforgettable. The vast majority of we “regular folk” in the galleries rose cheering (including LOTS of Powershifters), the Democrats (minus 44 – yikes!) huzzahed, and the Republicans (minus a critical eight) snarkily waved “buh-bye” to the ACES supporters who will presumably pay for it in the next election cycle. James had to restrain me from cartwheeling over the rail, which would have ended in an, erm…regrettable collision with our dear Ms. Cathy, ironically dressed in green. Apparently it’s not always that exciting on the Hill.
In the end, all that’s clear is that we must do all humanly possible to pass a STRONG climate bill through the Senate.
It’s time to start upping the ante, both in WA and in our home states. Y’ALL IN?
Lisa and I attended a 1Sky leadership training last weekend and have been receiving great policy updates on ACES and next steps. Barbara Boxer is trying to produce a marked-up bill out of committee by the end of July, but there are 23 “fence sitters” in the Senate. That means we have to write letters to the editor, call our Senators regularly and urge hundreds of our friends to do the same, go crazy — now. There are too many links to talking points, strategies, and Congresspeople’s info to post here, but they are available upon request if google fails you.
Are you doing any of the above? Let us all know, because a movement is when we can look around and see everyone moving forward together.
Cheers from the East,
Camila
