Official podcast for climate heroes from Citizens' Climate Lobby. We're creating the political will for a livable world.
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For the 2026 election season, the Election Engagement Action Team is focused on helping CCL volunteers take meaningful, nonpartisan action—connecting with candidates, supporting voter turnout, and strengthening grassroots engagement. Join this training to explore the three key areas that the team supports CCL volunteers and chapters stay engaged in meaningful action. Build relationships with…
Our August meeting, hosted by CCL Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Flannery Winchester, will debrief CCL’s 2026 Summer Conference and Lobby Day. From the impact and impression we made on Capitol Hill, to the insights and inspiration we got during conference programming — this call will catch you up on it all! Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro and Road Map (4:22)…
Learn the core mindset and tools of Motivational Interviewing from long time CCL leader John Sabin, including how to use OARS and listen for change talk so others discover their own reasons to support climate solutions. This training is being held before CCL's annual lobby day by request to help support all our volunteer leaders preparing for their meetings with Congress become more fluent with…
Join CCL's Vice President for Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler, Congressional Liaison Program Director Mindy Ahler, and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli for a training that will review the updates and context for CCL's Summer 2026 Primary and Secondary Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their in-person meetings. This is a recommended training for any CCL volunteer planning on…
Permitting reform has emerged as the biggest and most important clean energy and climate policy area in the current session of Congress. But what are 'permitting' and 'permitting reform,' why does CCL consider it such an important climate solution, and what is the data underpinning that conclusion? Join CCL's VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to learn the…
Passing federal climate legislation is extraordinarily difficult and understanding that reality helps us better appreciate the impact of effective advocacy. This training explores the complex ecosystem surrounding Congress: the legislative process, committee politics, bipartisan dynamics, competing lobbying interests, funding realities, and the many pathways organizations use to pursue climate…
Practice assessing where your Member of Congress stands on one of policies CCL supports and choose a realistic next-step ask that strengthens trust and steadily builds political will over time. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (3:53) Support Scale Background (7:28) Purpose of the Support Scale (14:16) Connection to BRIDGE Trainings 4 and 5 (16:49) Understanding Each…
Are you curious about what to expect about CCL's Summer 2026 Conference and Lobby Days or have a question about any final details? Join Alison Kubicsko, National Events Director and Mindy Ahler CCL Congressional Liaison Director for a final walk-through of the who, what, and where for CCL's Conference and Lobby Days to help you prepare for what to expect with the schedule, logistics, and details.…
Tyson Bertone-Riggs has a diverse background in forest policy and conservation work with both field experience and policy expertise. Along with Annie Schmidt, he served as the staff co-lead for the congressionally chartered Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission. Tyson’s past experience includes five years with the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition as Executive Director and…
Join CCL's Sr. Director of Field Operations Elli Sparks for a training that specifically addresses how to prepare yourself for a successful meeting with a member of Congress. You will learn about CCL's methodology, research tips, available tools, lobby meeting roles and parts, the value of practice, and the power of listening. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (1:29)…
This training is an expansion of BRIDGE Training 5: The Advocacy Detective and examines how Generative AI can be used to move beyond surface-level searches to better understand your Member of Congress, district dynamics, committee priorities, and trusted messengers. It covers practical prompting techniques, how to spot and reduce hallucinations, and the importance of verifying outputs. It also…
This final session in our permitting reform training series brings everything together with a focus on effective communication. We’ll recap key concepts across the major topics and highlight tailored messages that resonate with different audiences—including Republican and Democratic offices. Participants will learn how to confidently apply these messages to advance durable permitting solutions.…
The Advocacy Detective is about becoming a more strategic, relational climate advocate by learning how to better understand the political world your Member of Congress operates within. Before we can effectively persuade, we first need to understand — their district, their pressures, their priorities, the language they use, and the communities they feel accountable to. In BRIDGE, we talk a lot…
This month, we're featuring Shane Londagin, Senior Policy Advisor for Energy and Climate for Sen. John Hickenlooper (CO), manages Senator Hickenlooper’s energy portfolio on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and supports the Senator’s leadership in bipartisan permitting reform negotiations, grid modernization efforts, and critical minerals policy. (0:00) Intro and National…
It's important for energy project developers to engage local communities in order to address any local concerns and adverse impacts that may arise from new infrastructure projects. Join CCL's VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler, Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli and Mindy Ahler Congressional Liaison Director to learn about how community engagement may be addressed in the permitting reform process,…
This training walks you through the process of securing and delivering policy support from county commissioners on both sides of the aisle and provides specific examples of CCL volunteer success stories with community leaders in Montana. We’ll also talk about identifying and connecting with trusted messengers and why it’s effective and efficient to start with the ones in your direct network. Skip…
From a review of CCL's history to a focus on our shared work ahead, learn how climate progress becomes possible when your Member of Congress experiences Strong Conviction, Political Safety, Undeniable Support—and how your chapter’s actions intentionally build those conditions. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:23) CCL's History (6:03) Theory of Change (13:26) Three…
Join CCL Communications & Media Manager Charlotte Ward for a training that will review CCL's Earth Month Media Opportunities available for CCL chapters and volunteers to boost awareness and engagement with climate solutions. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (1:00) Why Activate Local Media? (4:26) Letters to the Editor (7:56) Writing Op-Eds (11:51) Moral Foundations…
Join CCL Staff Mindy Ahler, Jennifer Tyler, and Alison Kubicsko to review the Congressional Asks for lobby day and what to expect during the Virtual Conservative Conference & Lobby Day. Registered attendees for the virtual Conservative Conference should plan to attend. If you are interested in attending the conference, you can find more information and apply from the conference website. The…
Presidents from both political parties have taken steps to interfere with the permitting of certain types of energy infrastructure that they oppose. These executive actions create uncertainty that inhibits the development of new energy sources in the United States. For this reason, ensuring fair permitting certainty is a key aspect of permitting reform that enjoys bipartisan support. Join CCL's VP…
Building on Moral Foundations Theory, CCL's BRIDGE Training #3 dives into exploring how moral reframing helps people maintain openness to ideas they might otherwise resist. Practice bridging the “moral empathy gap,” so that conversations around climate policy feel more respectful, persuasive, and relationship-centered, even when people see the world differently. Skip ahead to the following…
Clean energy projects often encounter long, complex permitting steps that slow construction and raise costs. Practical permitting reforms can help ensure that good projects move forward faster while upholding environmental and community protections. Join CCL's VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to learn about permitting reforms to build clean energy…
Marija Verner is the Digital Education Manager and Research Specialist at YPCCC. She studies how people around the world understand, experience, and respond to climate change, with a focus on cross-national public opinion, gender and development, and the spatial distribution of climate risks. Her research has appeared in World Development, Latin American Politics and Society, European Political…
Join us for a training gearing up for Earth Month this April, when members of your community are out and about attending fairs, festivals, art walks, and other climate-related events. Join CCL's Senior Director of Field Operations Elli Sparks for a training that will help you and your team identify, reserve, and schedule summer tabling and clipboarding, bring CCL materials and other engaging…
America's old and outdated power grid has become a critical bottleneck preventing the country from adding the needed new clean energy sources that will reduce climate pollution while improving energy affordability and security. Join CCL's VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to learn about why transmission reforms are a crucial climate solution, the details of…
This training will dive into CCL's BRIDGE Training #2 and explore how Moral Foundations Theory helps us better understand the values that shape how people interpret climate solutions and public policy and explain why people can care deeply about the same world—but prioritize different values. We’ll practice noticing which moral values may be shaping a conversation and learn how to communicate in…
Join CCL Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Flannery Winchester, for a deep dive into CCL’s recently updated mission statement and new policy commitments. These statements were presented during CCL’s February meeting and are also available in an updated version of CCL’s 2026 Strategic Plan. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:34) Why & How (4:37) CCL's…
Our guest speaker for the February Meeting is William J. Doherty, Ph.D., Co-founder of Braver Angels. Bill has built a lifetime of work around helping people bridge deep divides. A co-founder of Braver Angels, Bill is the chief designer of the organization’s foundational workshops that bring Americans together across political differences to restore trust, understanding, and healthy democratic…
As election season picks up steam, this training will equip volunteers with a review of CCL's advice on engaging candidates and members of Congress effectively during campaign season and public events. Participants will learn how to ask concise, solution-oriented questions, connect climate solutions to local priorities, and build relationships that make climate action feel constructive and…
Electrification is a key climate solution in the transition to clean energy sources. But electricity rates are rising fast and face surging demand from artificial intelligence data centers. Expensive electricity and an insufficient power supply could endanger electrification efforts. Fortunately, in an age of high costs of living, policymakers are very interested in finding solutions. Join CCL's…
Join Mindy Ahler, CCL's Liaison Program Manager, for a training will provide an overview of Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Congressional Liaisons Program, what the responsibilities are for the role, how to get involved if you are interested, and how to find out if there is a liaison need in your Congressional district. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (3:26) Our Values &…
Join us for a training that will begin to explore the first training in CCL's BRIDGE Advocacy Program. In this session, we’ll take a deeper look at how all of us arrive at decisions and form beliefs, using insights from behavioral science. We’ll explore why intuition and emotion usually come first, and how reasoning often follows to justify those initial reactions, and why this matters for our…
Permitting reform is a complex topic that touches on many politically sensitive topics including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), judicial reforms, and federal involvement in interstate project permitting processes. Join CCL's VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to learn about the permitting players, politics, problems, and how and why CCL is…
Kick off the year with a State of the Organization message from CCL leaders, celebrating our recent fundraising milestones, sharing leadership updates, and previewing where things stand as we begin 2026. CCL Vice President of Field Operations Brett Cease will also debut BRIDGE —Building Relationships in Dialogue, Growth, and Engagement — our robust new relational advocacy training program designed…
Join CCL’s VP of Field Operations for a training that will preview CCL’s new “BRIDGE” program - Building Relationships in Dialogue, Growth, and Engagement. Brett will preview the framework that offer practical insights for having more effective, empathetic climate conversations that build understanding and momentum for change. A relational advocacy program based on behavioral and social science…
Are you curious about what to expect about CCL's Fall 2025 Conference and Lobby Days or have a question about any final details? Join Alison Kubicsko, National Events Director and Mindy Ahler CCL Congressional Liaison Manager for a final walk-through of the who, what, and where for CCL's Fall 2025 Conference and Lobby Days to help you prepare for what to expect with the schedule, logistics, and…
Join CCL's Vice President for Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler, Congressional Liaison Program Manager Mindy Ahler, and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli for a training that will review more details and the context for CCL's Fall 2025 Primary Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their online meetings. We'll also have time to get your questions answered by CCL's government affairs…
Join CCL's Vice President for Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler, Congressional Liaison Program Manager Mindy Ahler, and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to participate in strategizing for the upcoming fall lobby meetings, get more information on the meeting asks, and have time to get your questions answered by CCL's government affairs team! This is the first of two recommended trainings for any…
In this training, Charlotte Ward, CCL’s Communications and Media Manager, shares: How the Statewide Media Manager program works Which states are already leading the way — and why it’s effective The resources and support available for volunteers who want to ramp up their media work This training is for everyone who wants to be involved in media work so they can understand how CCL staff supports…
Jessica Trotman is the Assistant Town Manager of Black Mountain, North Carolina, where she leads recovery and resilience efforts following Hurricane Helene. She also serves as a Senior Consultant with the American Flood Coalition. To her work in resilience, Jessica brings 15 years of experience in sustainability, planning, stormwater, public health and public administration. She serves in multiple…
CCL volunteers put a lot of work into pushing the clean energy tax credits within Inflation Reduction Act over the finish line to be signed into law in 2022, and into protecting some of its provisions from outright repeal in the big budget bill this year. But how much did our efforts achieve for the climate? Join CCL Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli for an exploration of modeling scenarios in an…
The U.S. remains the only developed economy globally without a national carbon price—distorting domestic perceptions of its viability. This session explores how carbon pricing has worked successfully across the world and how those lessons apply to the evolving U.S. conversation. Dr. Danny Richter will highlight the emerging fourth generation of U.S. carbon policy, centered on border adjustments…
Dr. Daniel Swain is a climate scientist focused on the dynamics and impacts of extreme events—including droughts, floods, storms, and wildfires—on a warming planet. Daniel holds joint appointments as a climate scientist within the California Institute for Water Resources within University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR), the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability…
At CCL’s 2025 Summer Conference and Lobby Day in D.C. last month, we were privileged to hear from Amanda Ripley in a keynote conversation with CCL’s Illinois State Coordinator Alex Marianyi. We want every CCLer to have a chance to hear Amanda’s powerful message and Alex’s takeaways, so this month’s meeting features recorded highlights from their keynote session. Amanda Ripley is a New York Times…
The July 2025 CCL meeting focused on midyear updates to the 2025 Roadmap, highlighting key accomplishments like nationwide in-district drop-offs, introduction of the bipartisan Foreign Pollution Fee Act, and a full-court press to protect clean energy tax credits. Despite setbacks from the recent budget reconciliation bill, CCL's VP of Communications emphasized the significant positive impact of…
CCL's Vice President of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler and CCL's Research Manager, Dana Nuccitelli provide up to the moment insights on the dynamics in Congress and how we can most effectively use our time in meetings to support our agenda.
Join CCL's Senior Director of Field Operations Elli Sparks for a training that specifically addresses how to prepare yourself for a successful meeting with a member of Congress. You will learn about CCL's methodology, research tips, available tools, lobby meeting roles and parts, the value of practice, and the power of listening. Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/prepare-to-lobby Training…
In Citizens Climate Radio's newest installment of our policy series, hosts Elissa Tennant and Dana Nuccitelli dive deep into the latest updates from Capitol Hill. With the Senate Finance Committee’s budget proposal now public, they unpack what it means for the clean energy tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act. How do the House and Senate versions compare? What would repealing these…
This month, Dana Nuccitelli, CCL’s Research Manager, breaks down why protecting the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits is a huge opportunity for America. Losing these tax credits would have a serious impact on America's climate progress. Keeping these credits in place means lower energy bills, more clean power, greater energy security, and hundreds of thousands of good jobs across…
The Senate is moving forward on their version of a budget reconciliation bill that could drastically cut clean energy tax credits. CCL wants to protect those tax credits. We have been emailing, calling, and meeting with members of Congress about this for months. Now it's time to take the conversation public in local media all around the country! Join this special workshop with Charlotte Ward,…
