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CLIMATE- AT THE STATE HOUSE

Unlike anything we’ve seen before, climate dominated discussion at the State House as the 2020 Legislative Session opened earlier this month. The Vermont Youth Lobby presented legislators with resolutions from the Youth Climate Congress. Watch the video here. Representative Sarah Copeland-Hanzas discussed the goals of the Climate Solutions Caucus on VPR.

Last week, REV joined a coalition of 30 organizations in presenting our legislative agenda, focused on four signature bills. Read the full plan here.

Achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030 (S. 267), with at least 20% of that generated locally, to move our state’s infrastructure away from imported fossil fuels and strengthen our local economy. Read more and learn what you can do here.
Modernizing Vermont’s energy efficiency utilities to focus on reducing climate pollution through innovative new technologies and helping low- and moderate-income Vermonters access renewable, healthier, and more affordable heating and transportation solutions.
Participating in a just, equitable implementation of the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), a regional effort to reduce climate pollution by placing a cap on pollution created by fossil fuel companies and using the revenue raised to expand clean transportation options.
Enacting a Global Warming Solutions Act (H. 688) that enables and requires state government to achieve climate emissions reductions, by holding the state accountable to developing and implementing a plan that will meet our commitment to the Paris Climate Accord by 2025 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050

CLIMATE- ACROSS THE STATE

Support for our vision is widespread. A recent poll found that 76% of Vermonters from every corner of our state are ‘very worried’ or ‘somewhat worried’ about global warming. Awareness of the issue is growing rapidly—just three years ago, only thirty-five percent felt this way.

76% of Vermonters also support requiring Vermont’s utilities to get 100% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2030. 73% support ‘significantly’ increasing the requirement for in-state renewables. See more results here.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Contact your Legislators and Governor Scott

Let them know that you support action on climate, #ActOnClimateVT. Our elected officials need to know that we are paying attention and that we support them taking bold action on climate. It’s easy:

Click here to find your representatives and send them an email. Sample email here.
Call 802-828-2666 to leave a message for your reps and for Governor Scott. Sample message here.

Envision the Solution (and your part in it!)

Emma Marris, environmental writer and activist, recently offered five steps to manage the psychological toll of living with climate change and become part of the solution. Read her essay here.
Hear Saul Griffith, recipient of a MacArthur “genius” grant, describe energy use in the US and what it will take to decarbonize the economy. Spoiler Alert: he thinks it’s a lot easier than we usually believe. Listen to his conversation with Ezra Klein here.

Get Community Climate & Leadership Training

The VT Council on Rural Development brings together ten local leaders from around Vermont and provides them with leadership development and project development to help them tackle local issues related to climate change and a vibrant economy. Click here to learn more about the program. Applications are due January 27.

Apply Today!

The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce offers leadership training for professionals who will serve our community. Leadership Champlain equips participants to become civically engaged, providing deep knowledge around the biggest issues our community, inspiration to get involved and connections to key leaders. Applications accepted through April 6, 2020. Click here to learn more about the program and apply!

Learn More and Apply Today!

EVENTS

Global Warming Solutions Act Panel Discussion

TONIGHT, January 22, 2020; 5:30 – 7:30 pm; Garage Cultural Center, 58 State Street, Montpelier

Learn how emissions reduction mandates like the Global Warming Solutions Act have worked in other states, including Maine and Massachusetts. Representative Tim Brigland to moderate. Learn more about the panelists and RSVP here.

Lt. Governor David Zuckerman’s Movie Series: ROLLBACKS

TOMORROW, Thurs, January 23, 2020; doors open at 5:30 pm (movie at 6:00); Statehouse Cafeteria

Through dramatic scenes of drought, wildfires, hurricanes and floods, ROLLBACKS reveals how successful the Trump administration has been in reversing policies that protect the environment—from the Paris Agreement, to regulations on Coal, Endangered Species, the Opening of Public Lands to drilling, to mention but a few. Indeed, rolling back these policies is one campaign promise that Trump has not failed to deliver. The film tells the truth about the extremely dire situation we find ourselves in, with less than ten years to make the necessary changes. But it is not without hope and inspiration which comes largely from the young people who are not waiting for the Government and corporations to get on board. Following the movie, the Lt. Governor will host a panel and audience discussion. Movie is free and open to the public. Snacks provided. CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Climate Action Film Festival

Thursday, February 6, 2020; 5:30 pm at Main Street Landing, Burlington

The first annual Climate Action Film Festival is the first festival of its kind to feature storytelling around solutions rather than simply the impacts of climate change. CAFF 2020 will be a touring, single-night event featuring a 90-120 minute presentation of short films. Click here to view full schedule and buy tickets.

ICYMI- REV IN THE NEWS

Against state interests who were pushing for more diesel, REV advocated that VW mitigation funds go toward electrification of transportation. . . Now they finally are! Read more about Barre’s electric bus pilot program here.
REV’s advocacy over the past year resulted in a slate of EV incentives announced last month. Click here for more information.
REV has been working tirelessly to get the word out about the need for a 100% Renewable Energy Standard. Read our Executive Director’s Op-Ed here. See slides from her presentation at this year’s VECAN conference here.