Tacoma Chapter
Our solution to climate change? Democracy.
Citizens' Climate Lobby is a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on government policies to address climate change.
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On This Page
Announcements Chapter Events Climate Action CO2 Update New Climate Resources Legislative Update
We advocate for climate legislation on the federal, state, and local levels, particularly concerning these four issues:
(click each heading to read its CCL policy sheet)
"Vote NO on I-2117" Campaign
Initiative 2117 aims to repeal the Climate Commitment Act, Washington's carbon pricing policy that is the nation's strongest polluter-pay law. The proceeds from the CCA's permit auctions go toward expanding public transit, supporting tribes, and many other important benefits. See benefit distribution map.
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This is a serious attack--it includes prohibition of any type of carbon pricing in the future.
It could have a national impact--discouraging other states from adopting similar policies.
Washington CCL chapters have joined a major coalition of state environmental groups and allies coordinated by Washington Conservation Action to defeat I-2117 in the fall election. Our chapter's volunteers are fully on board, tabling and postcard-writing. Take a look at these informational slides from WCA for more background and strategies, and join the effort!
The IRA represents a historic step forward in cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030. It is full of incentives to help us all go electric, but very few people seem to be aware of it. See links below! Talk about it with family and friends!
How much money will you get with the Inflation Reduction Act? Find out at
And for local information, try The Switch Is On Washington
CCL Community's
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"Americans don't talk enough about climate. All that silence makes climate change seem less urgent than it actually is, which in turn keeps us from adopting solutions at the pace that is needed. After all, if nobody is talking about it, how important can it be?
When we talk about climate change with our friends and family, the more real and relevant it becomes. And that makes it more likely that we can move from just talking to acting."
Want to break the silence in your community? Check out this link with handy guides like:
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3 steps to talking about climate change: Heart, Head, Hands
The 8 principles of climate communication from Potential Energy Coalition
How to talk about climate change with literally anyone from Science Moms
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Upcoming CCL, Chapter and Community Events
To attend or get information, email us​​
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Wednesday, July 17, from 5:30 to dusk--The CCL Tacoma Annual Potluck Picnic, Point Defiance Park. Families welcome! Social gathering only, not a business meeting.
Bring: a potluck dish to share, table service, a folding chair, and your own drink (or enjoy our provided lemonade or water.)
Directions in the park: do the loop past the Pagoda, past the garden entrances, and just past the Rose Garden, look for the CCL sign in the open area to the left under the big trees. We will be about 40 yards from the road, at the picnic tables.
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Sunday, July 28, 3-5 pm--"GET OUT the Climate VOTE" group postcard-writing party.
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Saturdays, August 3 and 10--Got a car, a friend, and a day? Volunteer to do urban heat-mapping for the Tacoma Tree Foundation!
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Wednesday, August 7, noon on Zoom--CCL Tacoma Study Group. Discussing articles that we email ahead of time. Attend/Send an article
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Thursday, August 8, 6-8pm--Green Drinks, (local environmental networking group),
7 Seas Brewery and Taproom, 2101 Jefferson Ave.
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Sunday, August 11, 3-5 pm--"GET OUT the Climate VOTE" group postcard-writing party.
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Visit us soon on Twitter (@CCLTacoma) and Instagram (ccl_tacoma)
Try Tabling at our CCL Booth
CCL tablers pass out information, attract kids with activities, listen to climate concerns, suggest ways to take action and find community. It’s a great way to get started as a CCL volunteer. To join the fun, contact Linda Cohan.
Upcoming Events
August 24, 11-7, Hilltop Street Fair, S. 13th St and MLK Jr. Way
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Past Events
April 13 South Sound Sustainability Expo, See Photos​
June 29 Tacoma Ocean Fest, Foss Waterway Seaport
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Branching Out
Planting and protecting trees supports climate resilience and environmental justice. The Tacoma Tree Foundation has a great newsletter and website and many fun, educational and helpful activities all over town: check out their calendar!
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TUFF, Tacoma Urban Forest Friends, is petitioning the city council to protect and increase the city's existing mature tree canopy. Link to sign petition
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"Building resilience helps avoid burnout. It keeps us on course through the highs and the lows. The Resilience Hub on CCL Community provides opportunities for building personal and chapter resilience that supports purposeful action on climate."
Check out the Hub, a new tool on the CCL National website's Community section!
Looking for inspiration?
Visit our Climate ARTivism pages and explore the lively scene from murals to poetry to music!
UPDATED 6/6/24
Monthly CO2 Average at Mauna Loa (Details)
June 2024: 426.91 ppm
June 2023: 423.68 ppm
Last updated: Jul 5, 2024
New Climate Resources
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"The Collapse is coming, will humanity adapt?" Peter Watts, MIT Press Reader, May 13, 2024
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"The growing U.S. carbon price gap," John Gage, PDF
"A planetary crisis awaits the next president," Stephen Markley, New York Times, April 20, 2024. PDF
"Biden announces new tailpipe rules aimed to expand EVs,"Coral Davenport, New York Times, March 22, 2024.
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Previous study group articles here
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Websites
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johnperona.substack.com. (Earthward newsletter)
rmi.org (Rocky Mountain institute)
map.climatevulnerabilityindex.org
Visit our Climate Resources page
Legislative Update
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Federal
Jan. 26, 2024--The Biden Administration just announced they are going to pause approval of new liquified natural gas export facilities. Biden said in a statement: "During this period, we will take a hard look at the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, America's energy security, and our environment." The pause "sees the climate crisis for what it is: the existential threat of our time," said Biden.
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State
"March 6 kicked off the first auction in year two of the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) program, and 2024 will bring more exciting progress. In addition to more investments coming to our communities ($135.5 million for climate investments and $56 million for utility transition programs), the Department of Ecology is taking steps to link our WA market with California and Quebec's programs. This will expand and strengthen our collective power to reduce emissions and accelerate clean energy. WA state agencies are also hard at work staffing up and having conversations with community to roll out some of the investments already made." Altinay Karasapan