Our world is changing faster than anyone predicted. Freshwater supplies are shrinking, agricultural yields are dropping, our forests are burning, and rising oceans are more acidic — all, in part, due to a warming climate. As our natural world changes around us, so does our way of life. Coastal home values drop as insurance premiums rise; drought reduces feed for American farmers' cattle and water for their crops; more pollen and dust in the air aggravates asthma and allergies in kids and adults alike.
At WWF, we believe we can fight this significant threat and build a safer, healthier and more resilient future for people and nature. We must rethink the way we produce and consume energy, food, and water; protect the world's forests; and help people prepare for a changing world.
As the new Congress is sworn in, it has the opportunity to grab some early wins on climate while continuing to build towards a more comprehensive policy.
Let your Representative know that they must make strong climate action a priority.
Dear [Representative],
Congress must act with urgency in three areas to advance climate action:
1. Hold formal hearings on the latest climate science developments and establish a plan for how to respond. The House has not held any in-depth hearings on the growing impacts of climate change on American communities since 2010. The last eight years have produced a rash of new data on impacts to farms, coastal communities and public health that deserves a full airing, including a comprehensive report issued by US scientists in November 2018.
2. Champion bills that prioritize incentives for climate-friendly infrastructure, including electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, and increase funding for renewable energy research and deployment, and sustainable land use practices and land conservation.
3. Foster a robust, public debate on designing a long-term climate policy for America anchored with a strong carbon price. House members can help illuminate the relative costs, benefits and transformational impact of different policy tools—from a regulatory system to a carbon fee, cap and trade, and investment in innovation.
[Your comments]
Sincerely,
[Your Name]