After Hottest Year on Record, Hundreds Join 'Keep Winter Cold' Plunge into the Potomac River to Demand Action on Climate

10th annual Polar Bear Plunge sponsored by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network draws 200+ activists, families, and local leaders to National Harbor, Md.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—On the heels of headlines confirming 2014 was the hottest year on record, more than 200 DC-area residents took an ice-cold “plunge” into the Potomac River on Saturday to call for stronger state and national action on climate change.
The annual “Keep Winter Cold” Polar Bear Plunge, now in its 10th year, raises awareness about the climate crisis while raising funds to support the Chesapeake Climate Action Network’s work for clean energy solutions across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.
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Saturday’s plunge drew local leaders, including Congresswoman Donna Edwards of Prince George’s County, Rev. Lennox Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus, along with committed plungers of all ages—from local high school students to Franciscan priests to a Boy Scout venturing crew to Mt. Rainier and Petworth neighborhood groups.
“We’re taking a bold, icy dip into the Potomac River today to light a fire under our leaders to take bolder and bolder action on climate change,” said Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “We have the solutions we need, but we don’t yet see the political will we need, so we’re here today to inspire more of it.”
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The year 2014 was the hottest ever recorded on Earth, according to NASA scientists. Meanwhile, this fall the world’s leading scientists warned of “irreversible” impacts to human society and ecosystems if governments at all levels do not act swiftly to reduce planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions.
“350 Loudoun is sponsoring CCAN’s Polar Plunge because of the urgent need to act effectively to reduce carbon emissions,” said Natalie Pien, a member of 350 Loudoun. “CCAN provides the most consistent support to local, grassroots groups like 350 Loudoun.”
From Annapolis to Richmond, CCAN’s 2015 priorities include passing legislation to double Maryland’s reliance on wind and solar power and to generate the first-ever state funds to fight flooding in coastal Virginia communities. At the end of 2014, the group helped pass legislation to close a major loophole in the District’s renewable energy standard, a victory that will incentivize five new utility-scale wind farms across the region.
Each year, non-profit and community organizations across the region partner with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network on the plunge, joining the icy dip and also raising money to support their shared missions.
“DC Sierrans are looking forward to ‘taking the plunge’ to support moving DC off of fossil fuels and onto clean energy solutions,” said Brenna Muller, outreach coordinator at the Sierra Club, D.C. Chapter. “The funds we raise together will support the critical work our organizations are doing to fight climate change and protect the environment.”
“Franciscan Action Network is a co-sponsor of the plunge because addressing the issue of climate justice is central to our mission,” said Fr. Jacek Orzechowski, a Franciscan friar priest and board member of the Franciscan Action Network. “We consider it one of the most pressing moral issues of our time that is intimately connected with other issues such as migration, human trafficking, and the corrosive influence of money in our politics.”
“Employees at Community Forklift fight climate change every day, reducing waste and capturing thousands of tons of carbon dioxide each year,” said Meg Kiernan, Outreach & Education Program Manager at the nonprofit reuse warehouse in Prince George’s County. “When the Forklift Freezers run into the icy water, we want to encourage folks to think about stretching their own comfort zones! Advocating for better policies and changing daily habits will impact us all.”
SPONSORS: The annual plunge is hosted by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. The event is co-sponsored by 350 Loudoun, Green Neighbors DC, Thomas Jefferson HS Environmental Impact Club, DC Sierra Club, Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, Community Forklift, All Souls Unitarian Church, Franciscan Action Network, Climate First!.
BUSINESS SPONSORS: Perfect Settings Catering, Zeke’s Coffee, MLJ Event Management, The Green Commuter, Kate Bakes Bars. Waste Neutral, Bobby Mckey’s Piano Bar, Patagonia, Deep Creek Cellars, River Riders, Inc.
Find more information on the 2015 Polar Bear Plunge at www.keepwintercold.org.
View photos at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/chesapeakeclimate/sets/72157650045550650/
CONTACT: Kelly Trout, 240-396-2022, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org

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The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the biggest and oldest grassroots organization dedicated to fighting climate change in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. We’re building a powerful movement to shift our region away from climate-harming fossil fuels and to clean energy solutions.

Watch: Maryland comes together to support DOUBLING wind and solar

In the past few months a strong group has come together to demand Maryland DOUBLE it’s commitment to clean electricity to 40% by 2025 by passing the Clean Energy Advancement Act.
Doubling our commitment to clean electricity is the right choice for Maryland. We know that climate change affects all of us, but in many different ways.  Here in Maryland, our coastal cities are already feeling the impacts of climate change, as flooding intensifies and marshland disappears.  More than 85 percent of Marylanders live in areas that fail to meet the nation’s clean air standards, and the state has the notorious distinction of being the worst in the eastern U.S. for ground-level ozone pollution. These health burdens harm low-income people and people of color disproportionately. More clean energy can reverse this trend.
Our new coalition reflects that, and mirrors what thousands of groups are doing throughout the nation, partnering with new allies and supporting a greater movement for justice.  There’s a new understanding growing that climate justice is part of a broader social movement, that we won’t be able to achieve a sustainable future without economic equality. That’s why for this campaign we’ve partnered with dozens of new groups across the economic justice, labor, health, and faith communities.
Click here to watch and share our new video!



Featured in the video are some of our strongest and newest partnerships:
Maryland Working Families is championing a Paid Sick Days campaign in Annapolis, so workers won’t need to choose between staying home and losing a day’s pay, and coming in and infecting their co-workers. They’ve joined our campaign because they support renewable energy and more job opportunities in safer and cleaner technologies and infrastructure.
We’ve joined up with Maryland and DC 1199 SEIU because healthcare workers see the effects of climate change everyday, in the form of asthma and air pollution.  Renewable energy means cleaner air, and a healthier environment, as well as billions saved in healthcare costs.
The Maryland faith community has joined us in pledging their support of doubling our clean electricity. Our faith traditions command us to be stewards of the earth and to take care of each other. Acting on climate is an extension of religious teachings, and we’re excited to have dozens of Maryland congregations behind this bill.
Click here to watch our new video, and get involved in the campaign to pass the Clean Energy Advancement Act!

Important Information for the 2015 Polar Bear Plunge

The 10th annual Keep Winter Cold Polar Bear Plunge is this Saturday, January 24th! Hundreds of CCAN supporters, along with their friends, families, Congresswoman Donna Edwards and more, will brave the waters of the Potomac River to get the word out about climate change while we raise money to keep fighting for swift action at the local, state and federal levels. For those of you planning to join us, here’s some important information.
Waivers: The plunge is a fun, family friendly event, but it’s not completely risk-free. If you completed your registration on FirstGiving, you signed a waiver form. Any plungers under 18 years of age will need to have the waiver form signed by a parent or guardian. If you’re bringing a plunger who is under 18 and who hasn’t registered online, click here to print a waiver for his or her parent or guardian to sign. We will have copies of the waiver available at registration on Saturday.
Arrival time: You and any friends or family members coming along to support you should plan to get to National Harbor no later than 10:15 a.m. All plungers must register at the registration tents (which open at 10 a.m.), so make sure you get there on time!
Attire advice: You should plan to wear old sneakers or sandals that won’t fall off when you go into the water. You will also be less cold if, in addition to a towel, you bring a robe or a blanket to wear immediately before and after you go in the water. We’ll have foot warmers to put in your shoes that you’ll appreciate especially after you’ve come out of the water.
Directions: You can find out how to get to National Harbor, including via public transportation (which is possible, but slow), by going here: http://www.nationalharbor.com/directions. Follow the signs for the plunge once you’re off the interstate highway. You can also enter the address for the after-party into navigation devices for driving directions, as it is adjacent to the parking lot: McLoone’s Pier House, 141 National Plaza, National Harbor, Maryland.
Parking: There are enough spots for all in the lot by McCloone’s. The first 100 cars will be given a free parking pass. (Otherwise it costs about $5.)
Weather: As this is written, the forecast is for a crisp day with a high in the low 40s — be sure to dress warmly for before and after your plunge!
Plunge-time: We’ll have group tents for you to use to take off layers or change clothes before we take our dip, so you can dress for warmth for our opening program. Our plan is to have a short program at 11 am, head over to the changing tents by 11:20 a.m. and to be in and out of the water by 11:30 a.m.
Food and hot drinks: Zeke’s Coffee and Kate Bakes Bars are providing their delicious coffee, hot chocolate, and delectable pastries. Vegan pastry options will be available.
After-Party: But’s that’s not all! Afterwards, plan to stay around for an after-party at McLoone’s, a restaurant right next to where we’ll be doing the plunge. We’ll announce the winners of The Green Commuter bike contest and the dinner with Rev. Yearwood and Mike Tidwell contest, as well as pick raffle winners for the nine raffle prizes! Plus, this is always a fun and great way to meet some wonderful people: all of you! McCloone’s is generously offering use of their restrooms before the Plunge, as well as a 15% discount on their food and drinks for everyone who is wearing an “I Took the Plunge” sticker (available at the registration table).
Volunteers: Do you want to volunteer at the plunge? We’d love to have you! Contact Ted Glick at ted@chesapeakeclimate.org to sign up to volunteer.
We don’t encourage bringing your dog, but if you feel you have to, you must have your dog on a leash at all times.
Questions? Contact Ted Glick at ted@chesapeakeclimate.org or 240-396-2155.
See you Saturday!

Marylanders Rally on First Day of General Assembly Session to Double State’s Clean Energy Goals

Environmental, business, faith, labor and social justice leaders call legislation a top priority to pass in 2015

ANNAPOLIS, Md.—As the 2015 Maryland General Assembly kicked off Wednesday, activists packed Lawyer’s Mall in front of the State House to call for action in 2015 to double the state’s use of clean electricity like wind and solar. The rally was headlined by a broad array of social justice, environmental, faith, labor and business leaders, who declared the historic clean energy bill a priority to pass in 2015 for the climate, the economy and health.
“Maryland needs to get out front of the burgeoning clean energy industry in this country. It will mean good paying jobs and a much needed boost to our economy. Other states are advancing on clean energy, and Maryland has a golden opportunity now to get ahead of the curve with this legislation,” said Sen. Brian Feldman, Democrat from district 15 and chief sponsor of the legislation in the Senate.
The Maryland Clean Energy Advancement Act of 2015 will double Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirement to 40% clean electricity by 2025. The current state RPS requires 20% of the state’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2022. The RPS was originally signed into law in 2004 by former Republican Governor Bob Ehrlich. Maryland utilities are currently on track to surpass the current standard, providing Marylanders with 10.3% of energy purchased from renewable sources in 2014.
“Marylanders are ready for this move forward on clean energy,” said Susan Cochran of the League of Women Voters of Maryland. “We can and must pass this legislation to double our clean energy use.”
Dozens of activists packed Lawyer’s Mall for the event, holding “Forward with Clean Energy” signs and waving small handheld wind turbines. A poll released last week showed that more than two-thirds of Maryland voters—or 69 percent—support raising the state’s clean electricity standard to 40% by 2025.
“A 40 percent renewable energy standard would make Maryland a national leader in clean energy and super-charge the market for good-paying clean energy jobs,” said Bob Keefe, executive director of Environmental Entrepreneurs, a national nonpartisan business group. “Lawmakers should seize this opportunity for the good of the state’s economy and its environment.”
The solar industry in Maryland now surpasses the state’s iconic crab industry in total economic value. Doubling Maryland’s renewable portfolio standard would create nearly 2,000 new jobs per year in the state’s solar industry and spur over 20,000 new jobs in the regional wind-power economy.
The promise of good clean energy jobs and cleaner air and water also drew support from Maryland’s health care workers. “The health care workers of 1199 SEIU support expanding Maryland’s renewable energy portfolio because climate change is a public health crisis,” said Pat Lippold, political director of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. “The impacts fall disproportionately on Maryland’s communities of color and poorest communities, which suffer from more polluted air and higher rates of breathing problems.”
“Climate change is already having direct negative impacts on our lives, families, and communities, and those impacts will only get much worse in the coming years,” stated Gerald Stansbury, President of the Maryland State Conference of the NAACP. “That’s why climate change is a civil rights and an economic justice issue. At the same time, doubling our clean energy will greatly benefit our communities. It will help clean up our air, put people to work, and seriously address climate justice.”
Currently, more than 85 percent of Marylanders live in areas that fail to meet the nation’s clean air standards, and the National Academy of Sciences estimates that illness caused by polluting energy sources costs Maryland households an average of $73 per month. A separate analysis shows that a 40% clean electricity standard will prevent 200 to 450 deaths per year in Maryland.
“Children are among the most vulnerable to climate change, especially from extreme heat events, widespread disease and increased air pollution,” said Trisha Sheehan, Northeast Regional Field Manager for Moms Clean Air Force. “Maryland has the ability to double its use of clean energy by 2025. We need to act now to cut our reliance on the dirty fossil fuels that are polluting our air and making us sick.”
Maryland faith leaders also joined Wednesday’s rally. The Ecumenical Leaders’ Group, representing seven denominations of Christian churches throughout Maryland, voted this fall to endorse a 40% clean electricity standard for Maryland. Since that announcement, more than 100 religious leaders representing diverse faith traditions have signed onto their call, which includes a commitment that congregations also reach 40% clean energy.
“This opportunity to source 40% of Maryland’s energy from renewable sources by 2025 is a step in the direction of stewardship, a sign of respect to God and fulfilling our God-given responsibility to creation,” said Reverend Ryan Sirmons, United Church of Christ Annapolis.
View photos from today’s rally at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/chesapeakeclimate/sets/72157647969163543/
CONTACT:
Tommy Landers, 301.442.0134 or tommy@chesapeakeclimate.org
Kelly Trout, 240-396-2022, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org

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Business Leaders and Advocates Ask Lawmakers to Double Wind and Solar Power During 2015 Maryland General Assembly

Data shows legislation is good for Maryland jobs, economy and climate

Poll released shows strong voter support for action

ANNAPOLIS—Business leaders and advocates today called on Maryland lawmakers to pass legislation to double the state’s use of clean electricity like wind and solar power during the 2015 Maryland General Assembly. During a morning tele-press conference, the leaders emphasized that such a policy would deliver huge jobs and economic gains for Maryland, in addition to dramatically reducing costly global warming pollution. According to polling data also released during the call, over two-thirds of Maryland voters back the proposal, which would require that 40% of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2025.
“There are few sectors in Maryland’s economy that are more promising than the clean energy sector in terms of jobs and growth,” said Maryland Senator Brian Feldman (D-Montgomery), a chief sponsor of the Maryland Clean Energy Advancement Act of 2015. “Solar is bigger than the crab industry now in this state. This legislation helps expand that prosperity with a sound policy that creates investment certainty for businesses and consumers.”
Analysis shows that doubling Maryland’s existing clean energy mandate, called the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), would support nearly 2,000 new jobs per year in Maryland’s solar industry and spur over 20,000 new jobs in the regional wind-power supply chain. Business experts emphasized that, by setting a region-leading 40% clean electricity standard, state lawmakers would establish Maryland as a regional hub for clean energy investment and spur a resurgence in manufacturing and construction jobs.
“Thanks to forward-looking clean energy policies like this, renewable energy is moving into the mainstream for business,” said Stu Dalheim, Vice President at Calvert Investments, a nationally prominent firm based in Maryland. “A majority of the country’s largest companies have clean energy targets and investors are ready for public policies that push further in creating sustainable, home-grown energy jobs that are good for the climate. It just makes sense. This is a good bill for Maryland and the country.”
The polling released today, conducted by the non-partisan, independent firm OpinionWorks, confirmed that broad majorities of Maryland voters back the policy:

  • More than two-thirds of Maryland voters—or 69 percent—support raising the state’s clean electricity standard to 40% by 2025, understanding that it would add less than $2 per month to the average home electricity bill.
  • By two-to-one, voters are more likely to support an elected official during the next election who votes to double Maryland’s clean energy requirement.
  • Further, 70 percent of those polled believe that reliance on fossil fuels is harmful to people’s health.

The Maryland Clean Energy Advancement Act expands a current state law called the Renewable Portfolio Standard, or RPS, which was originally signed in 2004 by Republican Governor Robert Ehrlich. The RPS requires that Maryland electricity suppliers purchase an increasing percentage each year of wind, solar and other forms of renewable energy. The new legislation would gradually accelerate the yearly trajectory of Maryland’s standard to 40% clean electricity by the year 2025. (The current law is 20% by 2022). The proposed expansion bill comes on the heels of California’s announcement Monday that it will set a 50-percent clean power target.
“States with the best renewable energy standards are the states that create the most clean energy jobs,” said Bob Keefe, Executive Director of Environmental Entrepreneurs, a national nonpartisan business group that advocates for smart policies that are good for both the environment and the economy. “These are jobs that pay better than average and can’t be off-shored and are helping both our economy and our environment. Maryland is rife with opportunities for more renewable energy, and there’s no reason places like Massachusetts and New Jersey and North Carolina should be outpacing Maryland in solar and other areas.”
Walt Wunder, president of Aeronautica Windpower, LLC, said: “As an American-owned wind turbine manufacturer with products installed in Maryland, Aeronautica Windpower applauds Maryland’s efforts to expand its use of renewable energy from the wind and sun. We have watched as other states and countries which embrace renewables improve their economy by increasing employment and stabilizing the cost of electricity. Maryland has the renewable resources to be a national leader in this respect, and the 40 percent standard is the way to get there.”
Tommy Landers, Maryland Policy Director for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and a representative of the Maryland Climate Coalition, said: “We can and must pass legislation in 2015 to double wind and solar power for Maryland. As Maryland moves forward with clean energy, we will move forward on jobs, forward on health, and forward on climate action. That’s why this bill is a top priority of a large and growing coalition of business leaders, environmentalists, faith leaders, public health groups, labor unions, and social justice advocates.”
On January 14, the first day of the Maryland General Assembly session, activists will join Maryland climate, business, labor, and social justice leaders for a 10:30 a.m. rally on Lawyer’s Mall calling for action in 2015 to double Maryland’s clean electricity standard.

CONTACT:
Kelly Trout, 240-396-2022, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org
Tommy Landers, 301-442-0134, tommy@chesapeakeclimate.org

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Republican Delegate Unveils First-Ever State Legislation to Raise $200 Million Annually for Flooding Adaptation and Climate Mitigation

For Immediate Release
December 22, 2014
Contact:
Dawone Robinson, 804-767-0372 (cell), dawone@chesapeakeclimate.org
Mike Tidwell, 240-460-5838( cell), mtidwell@chesapeakeclimate.org

Republican Delegate Unveils First-Ever State Legislation to Raise $200 Million Annually for Flooding Adaptation and Climate Mitigation

Hampton Roads Delegate Ron Villanueva joined an at-risk Norfolk resident and an environmental leader in calling on the General Assembly to pass the Virginia Coastal Protection Act in 2015

VIRGINIA BEACH – On a tele-press conference Monday, December 22nd, Delegate Ron Villanueva (R – Virginia Beach) formally unveiled his groundbreaking legislation to protect coastal Virginia from rising sea levels.
Joined by clean energy and flood control advocate Dawone Robinson, Virginia Policy Director for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and Norfolk city resident Chris Scanton who has been frequently impacted by recurrent flooding, Del. Villanueva outlined forthcoming legislation called The Virginia Coastal Protection Act.
“It is our job as legislators to protect the safety of our constituents and their property,” started Del. Villanueva. “Rising sea levels fueled by climate change now represent one of the single biggest risks to that safety in coastal Virginia.” Delegate Villanueva continued: “Coastal leaders have been saying for years that we need significant revenues dedicated to addressing this risk. My bill provides a good start and I hope it leads to more solutions to address this problem, both public and private.”
While mayors, Navy officials, and legislators from both parties acknowledge that immediate action and significant money is needed to prepare for the growing impacts of sea level rise on Virginia’s coast, the state currently has no dedicated source of funds to do so. The Virginia Coastal Protection Act would solve this problem by joining Virginia into a market-based system called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Virginia’s participation in RGGI would raise $200 million or more annually by the year 2020. The bill specifies that half of the RGGI revenues would be dedicated to fund sea level rise and recurrent flooding adaptation projects in Hampton Roads.
“Living in Norfolk, the second most vulnerable area in the country to sea level rise fueled by climate change, my home and the homes of my friends and family are already at risk,” added Norfolk resident Chris Scanton. “We are living on the front lines, and I appreciate Del. Villanueva’s leadership in introducing this legislation.”
The rate of sea-level rise on Virginia’s coast is close to the fastest in the nation. Coastal residents regularly change their routes to work or school to avoid flooded roads. A recent report by the Union of Concerned Scientists paints a grim picture for the future. According to the UCS, minor tidal flooding driven by sea level rise will be so common by 2045 that it could happen about every other day.
Dawone Robinson, Virginia Policy Director for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, said, “Those who live and visit Hampton Roads know that flooding has become one of the most challenging policy solutions facing coastal Virginia. The Virginia Coastal Protection Act is an urgently needed, must-pass bill for the 2015 General Assembly.”
Del. Villanueva also sits on a newly created special subcommittee tasked with reviewing and developing potential policy options to help Virginia comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Clean Power Plan. He has described The Virginia Coastal Protection Act and the potential of Virginia joining into RGGI as a practical, cost-effective method of compliance with the federal rules.
“Some experts have stated that a multi-state approach to carbon reductions, like RGGI, is best for ratepayers. I’m interested in starting the conversation and I hope Virginia seriously considers taking this approach,” said Del. Villanueva. “I’m in favor of finding solutions and at the end of the day the problems will still exist if we don’t address them today.”
In addition to funding coastal climate resilience efforts, the bill specifies that the other half of the revenues associated with Virginia’s participation in RGGI would fund economic development in southwest Virginia and clean energy and energy efficiency investments all over the Commonwealth.
“The Virginia Coastal Protection Act is truly a win-win for the entire state,” said Robinson. “The bill provides funding for important programs during a time of harsh state budget cuts and serves as a viable option for Virginia to meet its carbon reduction goals.”
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CCAN applauds NY fracking ban. Maryland should embrace moratorium in wake

Statement from Mike Tidwell, Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Contact: Mike Tidwell, 240-460-5838, mtidwell@chesapeakeclimate.org
“The Chesapeake Climate Action Network applauds New York Governor Anthony Cuomo for today effectively banning the controversial gas-drilling practice of ‘fracking’ in that state. The New York Department of Health has found that fracking is a threat to human and environmental health. As a result, the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation will soon issue a binding declaration prohibiting the practice.
“This is a positive and long-needed policy development for the state of New York and for all US states where fracking is already happening or has been proposed. The state of Maryland, which has been debating for years whether to allow fracking in it’s western counties, should follow New York’s lead and adopt a legislative moratorium preventing the practice here. As New York state has made clear today, there are far too many risks to our water, air, health, and climate to proceed with this radical gas extraction method.”
 For more information and coverage please see:
“Cuomo to Ban Fracking in New York State, Citing Health Risks.” New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/nyregion/cuomo-to-ban-fracking-in-new-york-state-citing-health-risks.html
“Gov. Andrew Cuomo To Ban Fracking In New York State.” Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/17/cuomo-fracking-new-york-state_n_6341292.html
“New York bans fracking after health report.” Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/17/us-energy-fracking-newyork-idUSKBN0JV29Z20141217

Top 10 reasons to take the Polar Bear Plunge!

On Saturday, January 24th — for the 10th year in a row — CCAN supporters will run into freezing waters to raise funds for the most important cause of all: a stable climate.
In honor of the 10th anniversary of CCAN’s “Keep Winter Cold” Polar Bear Plunge, we’ve compiled a list of the “top 10” reasons to join us:
#10. It literally takes no will power: It’s easy to run into freezing water — when you’re surrounded by hundreds of fellow climate activists. Just watchthis video of last year’s plunge and tell me if you see anyone hesitate.
#9. You’ll secure top bragging rights: It’s easy to recruit sponsors when you tell your friends and family you’re running into the Potomac River in January. Last year, we used sledge hammers to break apart the ice beforehand — and it was our most fun and biggest fundraising year ever.
#8. It’s team-building: Are you part of a church group or environmental club? Lead a scout troop? You can raise money for our good cause while bonding through this icy feat!
#7. While the cause is serious, the day is seriously fun: On top of the exhilaration of running into icy water, we’ll have great music, speakers, food, and a toasty after party.
#6. You’ll have a chance to win great prizes: This year’s prize offerings already include a bike, dinner with Rev. Yearwood, president of the Hip Hop Caucus, and me, Patagonia gear, and a rafting trip for two!
#5. You’ll help get the word out about climate change and CCAN: This event is just crazy enough to attract media attention and raise the profile of our movement — and you could even wind up on your local TV news!
#4. You’ll meet wonderful people and inspiring leaders: Who wouldn’t want to rub elbows with VIP plungers like Congresswoman Donna Edwards and meet rock-star community activists from across our region?
#3. You’ll help us make history: For our 10th anniversary plunge, we’ve set our biggest goals ever — to recruit 300 plungers and raise $100,000 to support our work.
#2. You’ll guarantee that CCAN can keep mobilizing more and more people to take action: Raising $100,000 would fund the equivalent of two full-time organizers fighting to move our region off of dirty fossil fuels and to clean energy solutions.
#1. The climate has never needed you more: The world’s top scientists are warning of “irreversible” damage from climate change unless we rapidly switch to clean energy. CCAN is leading the way in our region, and we need your help to do even more.
Won’t you join us on Saturday, January 24th as we celebrate our 10th annual CCAN Polar Bear Plunge at National Harbor? Click here to sign up today.
Joining the plunge takes only three simple steps:

1. Create your personal fundraising page at www.keepwintercold.org. (Step-by-step instructions are below.)
2. Invite your friends, family and colleagues to sponsor your plunge.
3. Come to the event and take part in the exhilarating plunge!

Come make a difference. Have fun. And build our movement for climate solutions. Sign up for CCAN’s 2015 “Keep Winter Cold” Polar Bear Plunge!

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE DETAILS

WHAT: 10th Annual “Keep Winter Cold” Polar Bear Plunge
WHEN: Saturday, January 24th, 10:30am
WHERE: The Beach at National Harbor, MD.
HOW:

1. Go to www.keepwintercold.org and register as a plunger. Click on the green “Register” button at the top-right and a pop-up box will ask how many plungers you are registering — most people will choose “1.” After that, follow the easy prompts to create your personalized fundraising page. As part of the registration process, you can sign up as an individual, join an existing team or create a team of friends, family members or colleagues. You’ll also set a personal fundraising goal and we hope you’ll choose $350 or higher.
2. Send out emails to your personal networks asking them to sponsor your plunge (just like a charity walk or bike ride). You can ask friends old and new, work colleagues, family members…your dentist! You’d be surprised who will donate to your crazy winter dip. You can sign back into your personal fundraising page at www.keepwintercold.org with your FirstGiving username and password and click the “Your Fundraising” tab to easily send emails to your friends right through the website.
3. Come out on Saturday, January 24th at 10:30am to the beach at National Harbor, MD and take the plunge with hundreds of other climate activists.

Bomb Trains: Baltimore’s Next Big Fight

I was taking the short drive in Baltimore from Locust Point to Fort McHenry after meeting with a CCAN activist at a local coffee shop. “It’s worth taking 5 minutes to breath in the history of this part of the city,” she said. “It’s where the Star Spangled Banner was written, it’s where American troops fought off the British to protect the city of Baltimore in the War of 1812.” Crossing the bridge onto Fort McHenry, it’s also where I saw first hand the size and scope of Baltimore’s next big fight: hundreds of DOT-111 (Department of Transportation) trains, or “soda cans on wheels” in the rail yard on Locust Point, potentially carrying explosive North Dakota crude oil or toxic Alberta tar sands.
Transport of Bakken crude oil has been poorly regulated and, subsequently has had  an abysmal track record when it comes to safety and environmental destruction. Most crude oil is transported on outdated DOT-111 trains from the fracking fields of North Dakota or the tar sands in Alberta, Canada — crossing cities, rural towns, state parks, watersheds, aquifers, and mountains; all travelling thousands of miles to finally get to refineries. Sometimes, a wheel slips off the track, and that can cause a derailment, which usually punctures the tank. This inevitably causes an oil spill, and easily ignitable Bakken crude oil explodes. When that happens, the resulting explosions look like what nightmares are made of.

A crude oil train derailed and exploded in Lac-Megantic, Quebec last year. Source: Quebecor Media Inc.
A crude oil train derailed and exploded in Lac-Megantic, Quebec last year. Source: Quebecor Media Inc.

Tragically, it was only after a massive explosion in Canada, that killed 47 people and leveled a town, that federal regulators decided to take action to propose rules to make crude oil transport safer. Yet, even after massive amounts of environmental destruction, dangerous DOT-111 trains still carry crude oil throughout our country. “Most of the explosive crude oil on U.S. rails is moving in tanker cars that are almost guaranteed to fail in an accident,” says Earthjustice attorney Patti Goldman, who is currently litigating against the Department of Transportation after failing to ban DOT-111 trains from current use.
Now, oil companies are trying to use Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay as a throughway to ship Bakken crude and Alberta tar sands to refineries along the East Coast. A Texas based company called Targa Resources is proposing to retrofit an industrial shipping terminal in Curtis Bay to ship over 9 million barrels of oil per year, which equates to over a million gallons of crude oil every day. That means hundreds of DOT-111 “bomb trains” traveling through Baltimore City neighborhoods every year.
Is it worth having these travel through Baltimore? No way. The risks drastically outweigh the meager, if any, benefits, especially with so many unknowns. Currently, there has been no study on safety impacts, environmental health impacts, economic impacts, or train traffic impacts that Targa’s proposed shipping terminal would have on city of Baltimore. Rail companies are even refusing to disclose the routes that crude oil would travel through the city, going so far as suing state regulators to keep this information secret.
But, there is a solution — we can put pressure on the Baltimore city council to halt local permits on Targa’s facility, effectively passing a moratorium on increased crude oil trains through Baltimore, until environmental, safety, economic, and traffic impacts are studied and this information becomes available to the public. The public has a right to know what is traveling through their neighborhoods.
Over 75 community members arrived and learned about the potential for crude oil trains to travel throughout their community.
Over 75 community members arrived and learned about the potential for crude oil trains to travel throughout their community.

We need to act fast to keep our city safe — and already, we’re gaining real momentum. Since launching our campaign in October, we’ve held two town hall meetings, packed a public hearing, collected hundreds of public comments to the Maryland Department of the Environment, met with City Councilmembers, and petitioned all throughout Baltimore neighborhoods to raise awareness of this dirty and dangerous plan. We’ve even been featured on the front page of the Baltimore Sun!
We don’t need to wait until a tragedy happens in the city of Baltimore for the city council to take action. They can and should take action right now to protect their constituents.
 

First, sign this petition to your City Councilmember and Mayor Rawlings-Blake here. Then, sign this public comment to the Maryland Department of the Environment. Finally, fill out this volunteer sign up page, and we’ll get in contact. Together, we will be ready to take on Baltimore’s next big fight. No Explosive Oil Trains!

Coastal Residents Learn About Real Time Climate Solutions at Town Hall Meeting

The impacts of climate change are already apparent in Hampton Roads.  The state’s vulnerable coastline continually floods communities, impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people throughout the region. Coastal residents are eager to learn and act on solutions to protect the communities they love from the rising tides. On Tuesday, December 2, nearly sixty people came out to CCAN’s “Save Our Coast” town hall and book event to do just this.
Folks who attended the event first heard from Stephen Nash, author of Virginia Climate Fever. Nash spoke about the impacts of climate change on Virginia’s communities and the drastic need for clean energy solutions throughout the state. He warned that the average temperature in the state is on the rise, and Virginia could see double the amount of about 90ºF days by 2065. The first ten months of 2014 have been the hottest on record, since temperature monitoring began around 130 years ago.DSC_0275
Hampton Roads has it much worse though. The region stands as the most vulnerable climate impact zone in Virginia and could see triple the amount of 90ºF days by 2065 – a threat to their beloved ecosystems and public health alike. Even more frightening is the fact that the rate of sea level rise is accelerating along the state’s coast, and it’s already at the doorsteps of thousands of residents. Much of the development in Hampton Roads rests on subsiding land, putting the region at risk for higher rates of sea level rise than will be seen elsewhere along the Atlantic Coast.
This scale of climate disruption does not have to become a reality though, as Virginians can still take action to curtail its greenhouse gas emissions. Nash explained that Virginia can still make the switch to renewable energy at a fast pace to lessen the impacts of climate change on the state. If Virginia acts now to curtail its greenhouse gas emissions, the rate and extent of relative sea level rise will be significantly less than it will be if the state continues to ground its energy consumption on fossil fuels.
One person in the audience asked Nash what the most important thing to be done is. He proceeded to say that taking part in the public conversation is the most important thing for people to do if change is to occur. Mike Tidwell, CCAN’s Executive Director, also answered this question. His response, to which Nash conceded, was for the state to pass the Virginia Coastal Protection Act that would commit the state to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
Dawone Robinson, CCAN’S Virginia Policy Director, went on to explain the Virginia Coastal Protection Act and RGGI to coastal residents, activists and students alike who gathered for the town hall.  RGGI is a cooperative effort between nine states that caps carbon pollution from power plants while requiring them to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon pollution they emit in a given year. By committing to RGGI, the state of Virginia could see over $200 million in revenue by 2020. This revenue would then be appropriated as follows: (1) 50% to Hampton Roads for coastal adaptation efforts; (2) 35% to statewide energy efficiency and clean energy programs; (3) 10% to southwest Virginia for economic development assistance; and (4) 5% to RGGI for programmatic expenses.
Nash and Tidwell both touched on the difficulty of passing bills that support clean energy in Virginia’s legislature. Dominion, the state’s largest energy provider, is highly engrained in the state’s politics, often leaving the statehouse polarized on issues. However, the circumstances for reducing fossil fuel emissions in Virginia have changed radically with the EPA’s Clean Power Plan Rules that will be finalized next summer. The Clean Power Plan is calling on Virginia to reduce its carbon emissions by 38% by 2030, and RGGI stands as the best mechanism for the state to meet its emissions reduction goals while providing funding for essential climate adaptation, mitigation and sustainable development measures across specified regions of the state.
DSC_0271So what is the most important thing that needs to be accomplished to lessen the impacts of global climate change on Virginians? How can people on the ground help to push for climate solutions that will alleviate the sea level rise impacts that coastal Virginians are facing now, while protecting the future livelihoods of citizens across the state? Each of the featured panelists had a similar position on this question, which was asked by a dedicated activist who attended the town hall and book event. The answer? Get out there and join the public conversation. Talk to your friends, family members, acquaintances, and anyone else you can about bringing climate solutions to the state.
Teresa Stanley of Virginia Organizing, the first panelist that the group heard from on Tuesday night, spoke about the importance of collective action to make climate solutions a reality for the state. Communities need to be informed of the risks that Virginia faces under climate change, and communities need to be further mobilized to ensure that the state’s precious neighborhoods, culture and landscapes are protected from the projected devastating impacts.
Quan Williams of Virginia New Majority, the event’s second panelist, said that for her, the most important thing is to get the Virginia Coastal Protection Act passed. Climate change is an issue that know no races, borders, or classes. It will affect us all. And for many of us, climate change is a phenomenon that is capable of presenting itself in life or death situations. We must start acting now, together, to take charge of state initiatives that will turn the tide in the people’s favor.
The last panelist, Dr. Michelle Covi of Old Dominion University, spoke of planning and infrastructure initiatives that need to be updated to best prepare for sea level rise and climate change impacts along the state’s coast, home to the largest naval station in the world. Dramatic storm events are no longer the only driver on flooding in Hampton Roads; heavy downpours and high tides are now of high concern for flooding as well. Municipalities in Hampton Roads need to start working now to improve the resiliency of their highly prized social fabric. Evacuation routes need to be readjusted to include transportation to low-income neighborhoods and houses need to be raised to fight recurrent flooding.
But all of this will come at a cost. Improving infrastructure in Hampton Roads to combat the extensive occurrence of flooding that the region already experiences will need funding to occur, and fast. This is a problem that each and every single municipality in coastal Virginia is facing, and their solution may come sooner than expected. That is if the Virginia Coastal Protection Act passes. In a regular year, CCAN would not dream of getting this bill passed in such a short amount of time. But the fact is that the playing field has changed in Virginia.
The EPA’s Clean Power Plan will be finalized in the summer of 2015, and the state will need to cut 38% of its emissions by 2030. No matter what, the state will need to curb its carbon pollution, and the best option for Virginia is to get ahead of the game and start generating revenue by capping emissions. CCAN has already collected hundreds of petitions to support the Coastal Protection Act and is working to organize communities in support of the bill.
So what’s next? For one, sign the petition to urge your legislators to act if you haven’t already. Also be on the lookout for CCAN’s next actions, which will include a press conference on the bill with the support of coastal elected officials and a coastal lobby day at the state house to push the bill forward. State legislators must understand the immediacy of the threat in Hampton Roads. Together, we can make this happen.