Category: Blog

Dear CCANers,
When it comes to the weather, how many times do you hear this phrase: “Wow, I never saw that before”?
Sixty-five degrees and people in flip flops on Christmas Eve? “Never saw that before.” Over two feet of snow from a single storm across much of the DC region? “Never saw that before.” And international data now showing 2015 shattered the global record for average temperature by a HUGE margin: “Never saw that before.”
At CCAN, we look around at the weather and we get even more motivated. Our goal is to get people talking about our activist campaigns the same way they talk about the weather.
A bipartisan state bill in Virginia, with strong Republican patronage, to cap carbon pollution while protecting Norfolk from sea-level rise? “Never saw that before.” Two major climate bills in Maryland – one mandating huge CO2 cuts statewide and another mandating big wind and solar gains – both potentially passed in the same legislative session? “Never saw that before.”
How about DC? We are working toward a new carbon tax campaign that would dramatically reduce emissions while increasing – increasing! – the incomes of lower- and middle-class residents in the nation’s capital? “Never saw that before.”
Yes, all of these campaigns are moving forward across our region. In Virginia: The Virginia Coastal Protection Act. In Maryland: The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act and the Clean Energy Jobs Act. In DC: A nation-leading price on pollution.
We specialize in giving concerned citizens like you a voice in the great climate movement of our time. Wherever you live across this great region, we need your help. What kind of help? Check out this 90-second video CCAN just produced in Virginia. It gives common citizens an uncommonly strong voice.
So next time the weather makes you say it – “I never saw that before” – remember there’s momentum and opportunity in your state, right now, to make a difference so big you’ve never, ever seen anything like it before.
Onward,

Mike Tidwell

Time is running out to influence the most important decision that Governor Terry McAuliffe—and he alone—will make on climate change.
Which is why, right now, I want to ask you to watch this amazing new video—and take action. If you love our fragile planet: watch the video. If you love your neighbors in Virginia: watch the video.
The truth is, despite rising seas and extreme weather, mega-polluter Dominion Virginia Power is asking Governor McAuliffe to double down on harmful emissions—and let the company INCREASE total climate pollution in Virginia for decades to come. It’s outrageous.
So what can you do? You can do three things right now: Watch the video, sign the petition to Governor McAuliffe, and share it with your friends:

I think the good folks in this video—a student from the Shenandoah Valley, a teacher from Northern Virginia, a retiree from Hampton Roads, and others—explain what’s at stake better than anything I can write.
And their call is one I hope you’ll add your voice to: “Please do the right thing, Governor!” Stop Dominion from making climate change worse.
By this spring, Governor McAuliffe has to decide: Will he let Dominion increase total carbon pollution from power plants, despite the intent of new federal regulations to reduce such pollution? Or will he do the clear-cut RIGHT THING—and implement the Clean Power Plan with real solutions like solar, wind and greater efficiency?
Governor McAuliffe needs to hear — right now — from every Virginian who cares about clean air and a healthy climate. So click here to learn more and take action!

We’re so excited that after the historic blizzard “Jonas,” you’re ready to make our 11th annual Polar Bear Plunge historic as well. Are you ready to run into the Potomac with a beautiful, snowy backdrop? Please read this entire post for important updates!
First, it is ABSOLUTELY possible to hit our $90,000 goal if everyone does the following 2 things before Saturday:

1. Post a final request for donations on social media with a link to your fundraising page;
2. Re-send email requests to everyone you’ve asked so far (you can save time by forwarding the last email you sent with a short note at the top reminding folks that the Plunge is less than 2 days away!)

We have big plans to use those gifts to bring more clean energy to Maryland, fight back against dirty fossil fuel pipelines proposed in Virginia, and put a price on carbon in the District. Thanks in advance for helping ensure we have the funds to do this great work!
Second, don’t forget that everyone who raises at least $100 qualifies for an “I took the plunge” t-shirt and everyone who raises $350 or more will be entered into our free drawing for a slew of awesome prizes from around the region (restaurant gift certificates, Patagonia and The North Face gear, and more). The drawing will be at the after-party in McLoone’s directly following the plunge.
Here’s all the important information for the big day:
1. Waivers: The plunge is a fun, family friendly event, but it’s not completely risk-free. If you completed your registration on CrowdRise, you signed a waiver form. But any plungers under 18 years of age need to have the waiver form signed by a parent or guardian. If you’re bringing a plunger who is under 18, click here to print a waiver for their parent or guardian to sign and bring it with you on Saturday.
2. 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.) before the program starts at 11 a.m., so make sure you get there on time!
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.)

6. Weather: As this is written, the forecast is for a high in the low-mid 40s with some sun and clouds (better than a blizzard!). Be sure to dress warmly for before and after your plunge!  The plunge will happen rain, snow, or shine.
7. 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 a.m., head over to the changing tents by11:20 a.m., and to be in and out of the water by 11:45 a.m.
8. Food and hot drinks: Zeke’s Coffee and Baklava Couture are providing their delicious coffee, hot chocolate, and delectable pastries.
9. After-Party: But 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 pick raffle winners and you must be present to win! 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).
10. Volunteers: Do you want to volunteer at the plunge? We’d love to have you! Contact Brooke Harper at brooke@chesapeakeclimate.org to sign up to volunteer.

11. Pets: We don’t encourage bringing your dog (there have been skirmishes in the past). If you feel you have to, you must have your dog on a leash at all times.
Questions? Contact Kirsten Collings at Kirsten@chesapeakeclimate.org.
See you Saturday!

It’s official: In the face of possible blizzard conditions, we have decided to postpone the Polar Bear Plunge — to next Saturday, January 30th at National Harbor.
That means we can all stay warm this weekend. And we have one extra week to fundraise — and hit our goal of raising $90,000 to fight climate change! (Plus, a photo of you plunging will look even more impressive against a snowy backdrop.)
Thanks to your outreach, we’re 66 percent of the way to our goal. We have just under $31,000 more to raise to get there, and we know we can do it! We raised $30,000 in the week leading up to last year’s plunge — and that was without a giant snowstorm to set the stage for serious bragging rights.
The keepwintercold.org website is updated with the new date — next Saturday, January 30th — and you can continue using it to recruit sponsors.
Meanwhile, all the logistics for the Plunge will remain the same — just taking place one week later. We’ll be sure to update you next week with all the final details.
Finally, stay safe and warm this weekend, and thank you for your continued dedication to fighting climate change.

2015 is certain to be the hottest year on record. It’s also the year that I’ve felt more hope for the global climate movement than I have in a very long time. And I’m not alone.
In these final 48 hours of 2015, a group of generous CCAN donors has offered to match dollar-for-dollar every gift to CCAN — up to $7,000.
That means your year-end gift can have double the impact for CCAN and the campaigns you care about!
Click here to make a tax-deductible donation right now, and help us meet this challenge.
We have every intention of making 2016 a year for groundbreaking results. For every effort we undertake, we build as big a coalition as possible and never, ever, ever give up. Here’s why giving to CCAN is critical for the planet:

• We win. Your donation will ensure that we keep Maryland in the lead for envelope-pushing state clean energy policies. We have broader support than we’ve ever had heading into the 2016 General Assembly for our priorities to renew our landmark carbon cap bill and expand our clean electricity standard to 25% by 2020.
• We set the bar high. In the District, we’re launching a first-of-its-kind campaign to put a price on carbon in our nation’s capital. This will be a heavy lift, but we can do it with your support.
• We don’t let up. In Virginia, we will doggedly push to pass our bipartisan Virginia Coastal Protection Act in 2016, supported by cities across the commonwealth, faith and civic leaders, and clean energy businesses. We will also continue to work with statewide and local groups to fight Dominion’s aggressive push for hundreds of miles of fracked gas pipeline crisscrossing our land.

We are so thankful for your support — because none of these campaigns will be successful without funds and activism from people like you. We are also thankful for this matching gift opportunity made possible by CCAN board members who are similarly inspired about the progress we can make together.
In these last hours of 2015, please give generously — and double your impact for CCAN and climate solutions!
And, check out this short video to learn more about what your support helped us accomplish in 2015. As you’ll see, we won hard-fought progress in 2015. But we’ve got a LOT of unfinished business for the New Year:

Today, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network delivered over a thousand petitions to Governor Terry McAuliffe, demanding action on climate and a plan to save our coast from rising seas.

Today’s delivery is part of a growing call for climate action in Virginia – one that has grown especially loud in the wake of world leaders taking action in Paris last week.
Over the last six weeks, with help from our partners at the Virginia Sierra Club, Appalachian Voices, Virginia Organizing, Environment Virginia, New Virginia Majority and the Virginia Conservation Network, we’ve delivered our 6,000 petitions – from moms, students, business owners, flooding victims and other concerned Virginians across the state – to the Governor, urging him to act on climate and save our coast by supporting the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a regional system that caps and reduces carbon pollution.

Meanwhile, a bipartisan bill that would direct Virginia to join RGGI has gained unprecedented support since it was introduced last spring. The bill, called the Virginia Coastal Protection Act, introduced by Delegate Ron Villanueva (R-Virginia Beach) and Senator Donald McEachin (D-Richmond), would not only cap and reduce Virginia’s carbon pollution, it would also create the first statewide fund to help our communities deal with the impacts of climate change.
City governments across the state – including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Fredericksburg, Leesburg, Staunton and Charlottesville – support Virginia joining RGGI.
The powerful Virginia Municipal League and Hampton Roads Planning District Commission both support Virginia joining RGGI.
Virginia’s major newspapers – the Richmond Times-Dispatch and the Virginian Pilot – support Virginia joining RGGI, as does the Washington Post.
Businesses from Hampton Roads to the Valley support Virginia joining RGGI.
Climate groups, environmental groups, fair housing groups, health groups and justice groups support Virginia joining RGGI.

And just last week, nearly 50 people gathered at the General Assembly to mark the end of the Paris climate talks and call on Governor McAuliffe to keep carbon in the ground.
Over the last six weeks, we’ve made it clear that 6,000 Virginians and counting support Virginia joining RGGI too.
Now, the question is: what is Governor McAuliffe going to do?
So far, Governor McAuliffe has refused to support this win-win solution, while remaining stubbornly supportive of a spiderweb of fracked gas pipelines across our farms and forests and offshore drilling along our coast.
Here at CCAN, we know that the actions we take now will help determine how high sea levels rise along our coast and how extreme the weather gets in all of our communities.
Given what’s at stake, it’s more than time for Governor McAuliffe to follow the leadership of world leaders, join this rising tide of support and put his weight behind Virginia joining RGGI. In the wake of Paris, this is the most important step we can take to advance bold climate action here at home.
 

My friend Bill McKibben has warned for years that, absent dramatic action on global warming, we will literally have to lower the flags of several nations at the U.N. building in New York. Sea-level rise will wipe out entire countries like the Maldives in the Indian Ocean and Tuvalu in the Pacific. Their national flags will have to be lowered in New York and put away, the nations gone forever. Imagine that.
But last week in Paris, during the international climate talks, negotiators heard the pleas of desperate and courageous island nation activists – and activists like you from all over the globe.
Those negotiators hammered out a Paris Agreement that commits the world to steady reductions in carbon emissions in a way that can keep temperatures “well below” two degrees Celsius.
Scientists say this gives not only the Maldives a chance at survival but also our equally vulnerable U.S. communities closer to home – like the low-lying Eastern Shore of Maryland and coastal Virginia cities like Norfolk.
Now you can help implement the Paris Accord with a year-end gift to CCAN. During this holiday season, donate to CCAN with the knowledge that global accords require local action to succeed.
People across the globe are counting on the United States to do its part to dramatically cut global warming pollution. But with Congress in gridlock, the whole world is literally counting on American states – not just California and New York but all states, like clean-energy leaders Maryland and DC, and climate-vulnerable Virginia – to do much, much more in the next five years.
Imagine that! Our Mid-Atlantic region is key to a global solution. That’s no exaggeration. Which means we need to pass legislation in Maryland in 2016 to increase our clean electricity standard to 25%. We need pass a best-in-the-nation carbon tax in the District of Columbia. We need to fight like hell to pass the bipartisan Virginia Coastal Protection Act in Richmond in 2016.
And we need to go on overdrive to stop new fossil fuel projects that will undermine global progress – like Dominion’s monstrous Atlantic Coast Pipeline for fracked gas.
Make a year-end, tax-deductible gift to CCAN to support the local organizing it will take to make the Paris Accord a success.
We cannot win globally without wins here at home. And CCAN is a truly people-powered group: volunteers and donors like you have been the force behind 13 years of victories – from putting mandatory clean electricity standards in place to shutting down coal plants to passing laws to keep fracked gas in the ground.
With your help, I do not believe we will ever lower any nation’s flag at the United Nations building in New York. And we will not abandon coastal Virginia and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
I’m totally inspired by the new Paris agreement, and I’m eager to do the hard, determined work it’ll take to turn a new global pact into rapid local progress in 2016.
After you’ve made a donation, check out this essay about the Paris agreement from blogger extraordinaire Joe Romm. You’ll be inspired. But you’ll also see how much work is ahead of us here in America over the next five years. And check out these wonderful photos of Paris activism from our friends at InsideClimate News.

Dear CCANers,
Chances are if you know CCAN, you know our National Campaign Coordinator Ted Glick. If you’re a long-time CCAN activist, if you’ve joined one of our annual “polar bear plunges,” protested the fracked gas export facility at Cove Point, walked 100 miles in the summer heat to stop Keystone XL, or picketed outside the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, you’ve likely met Ted and been inspired by him.
This month, after nearly ten years of service to CCAN, Ted is retiring. Well, retiring is not the right word. He’s stepping back to do more writing and spend more time with his lovely wife Jane and get more involved in local climate fights up in New Jersey where they live. I don’t think Ted will ever slow down. He just won’t be in the official employ of CCAN anymore.
We will miss Ted tremendously. He brought to CCAN a streak of 1960s idealism and a passion for creative street protests. He got peacefully arrested multiple times while advancing CCAN causes. He fasted almost as many times, his last being an 18-day water-only fast outside of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last month in DC. He also illegally occupied a ledge in protest at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. And he wrote and shared a lot of poems. Ted can stand up to tough cops and deaf politicians one moment, then recite a poem the next about the glorious mockingbird he heard during his morning walk that day.
When Ted came to work at CCAN in 2006, there was no national “fossil fuel resistance.” Now Keystone looks finished, coal plants are getting shut down, and fracked gas is finding determined opposition everywhere. Ted played a big role in making that sea change happen.
So, to my friend and colleague and mentor, I say: Thank you, Ted. Thanks for fighting with everything you have against the greatest threat human beings have ever faced. You have made a difference.

Mike Tidwell