Shouting from the rooftops!
POTUS will go down in history for his efforts to protect a livable planet.
Thank you, President Biden!
We need to recognize all of these historic climate accomplishments and shout them from the rooftops! That’s what the Climate Changemakers current action plan is all about.
This is some of the most critical, strategic, and productive work available to us in this moment.
Hey friends,
After a quiet weekend in U.S. politics, let's discuss the media's role in shaping public understanding and perception of the most important stories.
The media often misses the mark on climate news: HEATED found that only 44% of 133 U.S. news articles about record-breaking weather mentioned climate change and Yale Program on Climate Change Communication polling shows only 32% of adults hear about global warming in the media at all!
We need more climate reporting, including positive news like the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act. One climate journalist recently shared with us that journalists are often looking for sources – people on the ground who can talk about climate pain and progress firsthand.
We’re all feeling the effects of climate change this summer: heat, flooding, wildfires, hurricanes, power outages. We're also starting to feel the effects of the policies meant to combat it: rebates to electrify our homes, more reliable EV infrastructure, renewable energy options, access to green bins, incrementally cleaner air and water, new energy job opportunities. Reporters want these stories. We don’t need to be experts—we just need to share why we care.
The beautifully updated Reach Out to Media Action Playbook includes a guide for drafting an email to your favorite journalist, along with shareable resources to help you amplify stories of climate policy progress in your region. We can push for better media coverage and support the hard work of good journalism.
A goal for each of us this week: get one response from a reporter or media outlet. We deserve more good news in our feeds! One step at a time, one Hour of Action at a time.
Cheers,
Rah Riley Head of Hype, Climate Changemakers
PS. Action teams are meeting up all week, including in two new cities: San Francisco and Boulder. I can already tell you it's going to be a festive week. Drop in!
NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS
Action Plan! 👏 Amplify Historic U.S. Climate Progress
There is tremendous climate progress happening in America, and yet (and this might be surprising) even climate-concerned Americans don’t know much about it—over half are unfamiliar with the Inflation Reduction Act, the most ambitious climate law in U.S. history! Meanwhile, Project 2025 is actively encouraging the repeal of the IRA and other essential climate policies. A lack of awareness leads to indifference, and indifference leads to complacency. If we don't act, Project 2025 just might lead to the demise of historic climate policy.
✅ Your Advocacy Challenge
JULY 15 – AUGUST 9
Four ambitious outcomes we can each aim for when taking action:
👆Track your impact! When you check any of these goals off the list, share your story with the community in Slack or email staff at advocacy@climatechangemakers.org.
This will be our focus for just 4 weeks! Start taking action right now.
FEATURED ACTION 📺 New! Reach Out to the Media
Climate progress depends on an informed, civically engaged public. But news stories about climate change are often either A) doom-and-gloom, or B) uplifting but omit the hard-won climate policy that would inform readers how that progress was made possible. As valued consumers of media, we have the power to urge outlets to provide more solutions-oriented, climate-savvy reporting.
COOL RESOURCE 🔥 Epic IRA one-pager
A surprising 53-65% of Americans do not know what’s in the IRA, even those who self-identify as climate-concerned. This new shareable one-pager is a great resource summarizing tangible, IRA-catalyzed climate wins with a local focus. Whether you’re talking climate with friends, colleagues, or a journalist, make this your go-to resource to share.
NATIONWIDE IMPACT 🎸 Concertgoers are now taking action with Climate Changemakers
Climate Changemakers is an official action partner of the band AJR on their U.S. tour! In collaboration with Planet Reimagined , attendees in select cities who explore the concert’s Reverb Action Village will be greeted by volunteers from a Climate Changemakers booth!
Over 150 fans have already called or emailed their member of Congress on the spot to demand upgrades to the U.S. power grid. Pics and video on Instagram!
We are so proud to provide this new format of meaningful advocacy for concertgoers and are grateful for the leadership and collaboration of AJR and Planet Reimagined. See tour.
IN THE NEWS 🏆 5 things we’ve learned from the world’s best climate journalists
Better news coverage is itself an essential climate solution. Without it, there simply won’t be the mass awareness and public pressure to drive governments, business, and society as a whole to make the rapid, far-reaching changes required to preserve a livable planet. The 51 winners of the Covering Climate Now Journalism awards are certainly doing their part.
Here are five media lessons from the more than 1,250 entries.
COMMUNITY NEWS 🤗 Join our team! New marketing volunteer roles
Climate Changemakers is looking for volunteers with experience in copywriting, social media, video editing, SEO, and paid ad campaigns. If you or someone you know wants to help expand our advocacy network this season by volunteering 1-5 hours per week of time and expertise, apply now!
HOURS OF ACTION THIS WEEK 🗓️
Virtual and in-person drop-in events for productive climate action
Climate Changemakers exists to make effective climate advocacy approachable and totally doable for busy, productive professionals to show up, take action, and get on with your week (then do it again next week!). Take action online anytime on your own time –or– drop into any action meetup.
REMINDER: New IRL events this week in San Francisco and Boulder
VIRTUAL 💻 🍷✨ Monday night | Thursday night | Friday morning
Reminder: Can't make it one week? No worries! We're all busy people. The team and space will always be there. Take breaks when you need; take action when you can.
Curious about hosting? Let's chat! Email hello@climatechangemakers.org.
MONDAY MOTIVATION 💬
"My daily challenge to myself is to be part of the solution, to be a joyful warrior in the battle to come." — Vice President Kamala Harris, The Truths We Hold: An American Journey
Half of all changemakers were referred by another changemaker! Please forward this to anyone in your network who may be interested in joining the movement.