Download Activist Tool Kit - Youth Climate Action Network

Youth Climate Action Network
Activists’ Toolkit
Dear fellow student:
We have put together this short “toolbox” to give you some ideas about how you and your
classmates can become involved in solving the most important issue of our time: global
warming. The resources include sources of good information on climate change, websites
where you can see what some of the larger environmental organizations are doing to
address the problem, and some suggestions for actions you can take on your own or with
other students and friends.
Global warming is our challenge because we will be here to experience the dramatic
effects of climate change if nothing is done to reverse the warming trend. We are the ones
who will be working longest to solve this problem and we are the ones who will benefit the
most by the success of our efforts. Each of us can make an important difference,
whether we choose to do something personal like changing our light bulbs to compact
fluorescent bulbs, or jump in with both feet to a national environmental movement.
We hope the suggestions in this booklet help you to get started on something that is
important to you, or gets you to think of some even better ideas of your own.
Sincerely,
Members of the Boston Latin School
Youth Climate Action Network
Youth C.A.N.
Activists’
Toolbox
Part I. Understanding climate
change and global warming
Who has time to read long books or do research on the internet? You don’t have to be an expert; you just
need to understand the basics. There are many excellent (and fun) sources, including videos, books, and
websites where you can learn the basics pretty quickly Tip: video parties and book groups with friends make
it fun!
Great Reading
Stop Global Warming: The Solution Is You!
Author: Laurie David
ISBN: 978-1-55591-621-3
Fulcrum Publishing
4690 Table Mountain Drive, Suite 100
Golden, Colorado 80403
Phone: (800) 992-2908 or (303) 277-1623
Fax: (800) 726-7112 or (303) 279-7111
http://www.fulcrum-books.com/
The Better World Shopping Guide
Author: Ellis Jones
ISBN 13: 978-0-86571-576-9
ISBN 10: 0-86571-576-9
New Society Publishers
P.O. Box 189
Gabriola Island, BC
Canada, V0R 1X0
Tel: 250-247-9737
Fax: 250-247-7471
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: [email protected]
Global Warming: A Very Short Introduction
Author: Mark Maslin
ISBN13: 978-0-19-284097-4
ISBN10: 0-19-284097-5
Oxford University Press
http://www.oup.com/us/
Customer Service
Phone: 800-445-9714
Fax: 919-677-1303
Email: [email protected]
Phone Orders
To order a book by phone, please call our Orders Department at 800-451-7556 or email [email protected].
Our Changing Climate
A full-color, illustrated 24 page booklet about climate change, with chapters about Earth's dynamic climate
system, how and why climate changes, the greenhouse effect, how climate models work and what the future
holds. For your free copy, send a request to [email protected].
DvD’s about Climate Change:
Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth - Offers a passionate and inspirational look at one man's fervent crusade to
halt global warming's deadly progress in its tracks by exposing the myths and misconceptions that surround it.
$19.99 at Amazon.com.
Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006) - Starring: Ed Begley Jr., Phyllis Diller Director: Chris Paine. A
documentary that investigates the birth and death of the electric car, as well as the role of renewable energy
and sustainable living in the future. $17.99 at Amazon.com.
Global Warming: The Signs and the Science (2005) – A PBS documentary about global warming for secondary
level students. Alanis Morissette is a very articulate speaker, clear and convincing. The construction and
contents of the film, with very interesting interviews with diverse scientists give an excellent overview of the
issue. $24.99 at Amazon.com.
Kilowatt Ours (2004) Run-time 35 minutes. Produced by Jeff Barrie and Distributed by the Southern Energy
Conservation Initiative, Kilowatt Ours is an inspirational and enlivening film that demonstrates how easy it is
to conserve energy that is produced from traditional sources as well as the many ways the average consumer
can easily become part of the renewable energy revolution. The film reveals the connection between
personal choices and energy use and introduces us to individuals, businesses, schools and universities who
have cut their energy use in half by taking simple steps that benefit the consumer, the environment and the
economy. We are given tours of super-efficient homes, office buildings and entire schools that have changed
the future of America by employing the concepts of day-lighting, geothermal heating and cooling, solar and
wind power, and the purchase of blocks of green energy from local utilities. Available for purchase for 24.98
from the Documentary Channel Store www.documentarychannel.com/store
The Great Warming (2007) Run-time 120 minutes. Narrated by Alanis Morissette and Keanu Reeves, The
Great Warming is a dramatic film about climate change that sweeps around the world to reveal how a
changing climate is affecting the lives of people everywhere. It has been called "the best film about global
warming ever shot”, and taps into the growing groundswell of public interest in this topic to present an
emotional, accurate picture of our children's planet. The Great Warming includes hard-hitting comments
from scientists and opinion-makers about what is certainly the most critical environmental issue of the 21st
century.
Too Hot Not To Handle (2006) Run-time 60 minutes. This cautionary documentary offers a guide to the
impact of global warming on the U.S. -- and the measures that need to be taken to reverse this trend. Heat
waves. Melting glaciers. Rising sea levels. Catastrophic storms. Migrating viruses. Population displacement.
Over the past 100 years, the mass consumption of fossil fuel, especially in America, has contributed to a
dangerous global warming that has adversely impacted the way we live -- and promises to do far greater
damage if we continue to ignore its warning signs. $17.99 at amazon.com.
Websites for information and action:
There are hundreds of websites you can visit. These are just a few that we have found particularly useful:
www.nrdc.org The website for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The NRDC is an
environmental action organization. They use law, science and the support of their 1.2 million members and
online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for
all living things. The site consists of hundreds upon hundreds of pages and features. It adds new stories at least
every week and generally more often than that. It also has a daily "newsfeed" where it features breaking
environmental news from national wire services.
www.massclimateaction.org – Great local resource. A network of local and statewide groups dedicated to
halting the threat of global climate change. They are striving to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases,
principally carbon dioxide (CO2), in our communities and the state. Communities with climate action groups are
listed.
www.stopglobalwarming.org – started by Laurie David, author of The Solution is You: An Activist’s Guide, the
website offers up to the minute news on what’s happening across the country and around the world as well as
cool things you can do, including joining a “Virtual March”, using Instant Messaging to spread the word, tee
shirts, bracelets and books you can buy and lots more.
www.lcv.org - League of Conservation Voters, called “the independent political voice for the environment,”
the site focuses on educating voters and influencing legislation on global warming. You can find out how any
member of Congress voted on all of the related bills throughout his/her terms in office; learn how to contact
the President and Congress; find local chapters, and lots more. If you join, you get regular email updates on
what’s happening in Congress on the issues.
www.environmentaldefensefund.org - Environmental Defense Fund is a leading national nonprofit
organization representing more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, we have linked science, economics and
law to create innovative, equitable and cost-effective solutions to society's most urgent environmental
problems. Go to it’s “Action Center” to take Action for the environment. Right from your computer, right
now! Take action on any of the critical issues below. Send free faxes and emails to top decision-makers when
they need to hear from you. Once you take action, you will receive email action alerts keeping you informed
of how you can act online to save the planet.
www.thegreatwarming.com/calltoaction/getonboard This is the “Call To Action” page for the Keanu Reeves
film The Great Warming The site features several useful reproducible documents about global warming. For
example, they have as follows: Climate Change Fact Sheet, The Scientific Consensus on Climate Change,
What Individuals Can Do, Do Something About Global Warming! Join Our Allies and Support Their Local and
National Efforts to Curb Global Warming, Energy Star Action Guide, and Global Warming Solutions Through
Community Dialogue, and lots more!
www.gristmill.org - Grist Mill is a website that posts environmental news and commentary. They are based
in Seattle, Washington. The site is especially useful for its reproducible series of articles called "How to Talk
to a Climate Skeptic" by Coby Beck. The series contains responses to the most common arguments from
skeptics on global warming. The arguments in the series offers responses to are divided into denial, scientific
topics, types of argument, and levels of sophistication.
Part II. Taking Action
You really can make a difference, whether it’s changing your light bulbs or writing to Congress. Any and
every action you take not only contributes to the global effort, but potentially encourages someone around
you to get involved.
Take Legislative Action
This may be the most important action you take! There are at least 14 climate change bills pending in
Congress, yet none has been passed. According to Congressman Markey in his remarks to the crowd at the
Boston Common Step It Up event April 14th, Nancy Pelosi intends to have a bill on her desk by the end of this
year. Let’s make a noise and get Congress to pass it! Here are some ways you can make your voice heard (we
have also included names and contact information for elected officials, sample letters, and copies of ongoing
petitions in the Appendix section):
1. Write to elected officials and tell them you expect their affirmative vote on mandatory caps on
emissions this year. Information on how to contact them is available in the Appendix section and at
www.senate.gov, www.house.gov, and on the League of Conservation Voters’ website. Best bet: contact
the officials who have been most responsible for blocking legislation so far - those from states with coal
mines, oil, and automobile makers. We’ve included those names too.
2. Sign up for a “Virtual March” on Washington at stopglobalwarming.org.
3. Sign ongoing petitions to Congress and automobile workers like the ones at moveon.org and the
Environmental Defense Fund.
Start a Youth C.A.N. Chapter.
Get your school involved in solving the problem of global warming by starting your own chapter of Youth
Climate Action Network. We’ve included a “How to” Guide that shares the process we followed (Appendix).
Hold a light bulb drive - Sell Energy
Efficient Compact Fluorescent Light
Bulbs
Sell the new compact fluorescent bulbs to family, friends and neighbors through a special program sponsored
by NSTAR. You can even donate the proceeds to your Youth C.A.N. chapter to support future activities.
Contact NSTAR: Mary McCarthy (781-441-3888) for more information.
Make changes to your lifestyles at
home and at school – steps you can
take personally
There are small and large ways you can change the way you do personally to make an effect
on global warming. All of the websites and books we’ve recommended offer recommendations.
Here is a quick list:
1. Change the light bulbs in your home to compact fluorescent light bulbs.
2. Buy energy-saving appliances. Look for the “ENERGY STAR” label when you shop. Visit
www.energystar.gov for more information.
3. Install efficient shower heads. Or at least clean your older shower head to help reduce carbon
dioxide emissions and water use.
4. Lower the temperature in your hot water tank to 120 degrees.
5. Insulate your home, hot water heater, and all water pipes.
6. Recycle cans, bottles, paper, plastic, and newspapers to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. If your
community doesn’t offer recycling services, request them.
7. Buy products that are made of recycled materials.
Including recycled paper for your printer.
8. Keep car tires inflated. This cuts down on fuel costs, unnecessary emissions, and lengthens the life of
your tires.
9. If buying a new car, invest in a hybrid. If you live in a city and do a lot of stop-and-go driving, the
new hybrids are a great way to help cut back on emissions.
10. Plant deciduous trees around your home to increase shade and lower carbon amounts. Reforestation –
even in your own back yard – is one of the best ways to balance your personal emissions.
11. Invest in “Green Power” for electricity in your home.
See www.epa.gov/greenpower for more information.
12. Unplug Chargers and turn off unnecessary lights and appliances. The little chargers for your cell
phone and kids’ electronic games use up to 10% of the electricity in your house, even when not in
use. Pollution from electrical plants is one of the major causes of global warming. For stickers to
mark appliances in your home that should be unplugged, go online to www.PolarBearSOS.org
Appendix
How to Start a Youth C.A.N. chapter
1. Convene a Planning Group

With two to ten students you can have a meeting to start setting up the club.
2. Determine purpose and level of interest

Think through the purpose of the club and some immediate goals. Write them down in a clear,
concise statement.

Circulate a “Petition of Interest” to determine interest level among your schoolmates and start
getting the contact information you will need to communicate with members.
3. Get permission

Schedule an appointment with the principal or whoever is in charge of clubs at your school. At the
meeting, present your ideas and show him/her the Petition of Interest. Find out what conditions or
rules apply to clubs at your school.
4. Find a meeting place
 If possible, ask for a meeting place during your first meeting with the school
administration, or at least get the name of the faculty member in charge of
assigning space for clubs to meet. If no meeting space is available, choose an
appropriate classroom (probably that of the faculty advisor).
5. Choose a faculty advisor

Any interested and willing faculty member will do. An obvious choice is a science teacher who may
be interested in climate change, but there may be other more suitable choices based on availability,
personality, and level of interest. The role of the faculty advisor will be determined by the needs of
your group. It can be to coordinate and give direction to chapters with younger students, or be less
directive with older students. Discuss the needs of your group with the faculty advisor in advance of
your first meeting.
6. Recruit parents

Ask members to talk to their parents about becoming involved. Parent volunteers can provide
invaluable resources, depending on available time, occupation, or personal/business contacts.
7. Hold your first meeting

Plan this meeting well. Make sure to include introductions of everyone who attends, circulate an
attendance sheet that includes contact information (email is great!), and have a specific agenda.
Some other activities you may want to consider include:
1. Brainstorm potential activities or areas of interest;
2. Establish subcommittees based on the most popular areas of interest (see below for a
description of the Boston Latin School’s committees);
3. Elect of officers;
4. Identify note takers so that minutes of each meeting can be created.
Contact Elected Officials
You can find the names and contact information for any Senator or Representative at the following two
internet address: senate.gov and house.gov. We have also included here, in addition to our MA senators, a
list of selected elected officials here that you may want to target because of their particular role in climate
change legislation, including membership on the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and congressmen from
states that produce coal, oil and/or automobiles.
Massachusetts Delegation:
Senators
Senator Kennedy, Edward M.- (D - MA)
317 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4543
Web Form: kennedy.senate.gov/senator/contact.cfm
Senator Kerry, John F.- (D - MA)
304 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2742
Web Form: kerry.senate.gov/v3/contact/email.html
Representatives (contact information available at house.gov)
Capuano, Michael E., Massachusetts, 8th
Frank, Barney, Massachusetts, 4th
McGovern, James, Massachusetts, 3rd
Meehan, Marty, Massachusetts, 5th
Olver, John, Massachusetts, 1st
Delahunt, William, Massachusetts, 10th
Lynch, Stephen F., Massachusetts, 9th
Markey, Ed, Massachusetts, 7th
Neal, Richard E., Massachusetts, 2nd
Tierney, John, Massachusetts, 6th
House Committee on Energy and Commerce
[names in bold are from coal, oil and/or automobile manufacturing states]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Republican
Joe Barton, TX
Ralph M. Hall, TX
J. Dennis Hastert, IL
Fred Upton, MI
Cliff Stearns, FL
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Democrat
John D. Dingell, MI **
Henry A. Waxman, CA
Edward J. Markey, MA
Rick Boucher, VA
Edolphus Towns, NY
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Nathan Deal, GA
Ed Whitfield, KY
Barbara Cubin, WY
John Shimkus, IL
Heather Wilson, NM
John B. Shadegg, AZ
Charles W. ``Chip''
Pickering, MS
13. Vito Fossella, NY
14. Steve Buyer, IN
15. George Radanovich, CA
16. Joseph R. Pitts, PA
17. Mary Bono, CA
18. Greg Walden, OR
19. Lee Terry, NE
20. Mike Ferguson, NJ
21. Mike Rogers, MI
22. Sue Wilkins Myrick, NC
23. John Sullivan, OK
24. Tim Murphy, PA
25. Michael C. Burgess, TX
26. Marsha Blackburn, TN
6. Frank Pallone Jr., NJ
7. Bart Gordon, TN
8. Bobby L. Rush, IL
9. Anna G. Eshoo, CA
10. Bart Stupak, MI
11. Eliot L. Engel, NY
12. Albert Russell Wynn, MD
13. Gene Green, TX
14. Diana DeGette, CO
15. Lois Capps, CA
16. Michael F. Doyle, PA
17. Jane Harman, CA
18. Thomas H. Allen, ME
19. Janice D. Schakowsky, IL
20. Hilda L. Solis, CA
21. Charles A. Gonzalez, TX
22. Jay Inslee, WA
23. Tammy Baldwin, WI
24. Mike Ross, AR
25. Darlene Hooley, OR
26. Anthony D. Weiner, NY
27. Jim Matheson, UT
28. G. K. Butterfield, NC
29. Charlie Melancon, LA
30. John Barrow, GA
31. Baron P. Hill, IN
** Representative Dingall has been very influential in stalling legislation that includes mandatory caps on
emissions to protect auto manufacturers in his state.
Coal Producing States
State
Montana
Tons
Percent
(billions) of U.S.
120
25.4
Illinois
78
16.5
Wyoming
68
14.4
West Virginia
37
8.0
Kentucky
30
6.3
Pennsylvania
29
6.1
Ohio
19
4.0
Colorado
17
3.6
Texas
13
2.7
Indiana
10
2.1
Other States
51
10.9
472
100.0
TOTAL
Oil producing States
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Texas
Alaska
California
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Kansas
New York
Michigan
Pennsylvania (the birthplace of the U.S. oil industry)
Illinois
SAMPLE PETITION 1
http://pol.moveon.org/stepuponclimatechange/
Step Up Now to Stop Climate Change
The new Democratic House has vowed to pass a climate change bill by this summer. But for
the bill to have real teeth and withstand the pressure of the Big Oil lobby, all of us must weigh
in now. Science shows that big cuts in greenhouse gas emissions this century are the only
way to get ahead of the climate crisis. So send a message to Congress:
"Congress' new bill on global warming must include a
long-term and bold commitment: reduce greenhouse
gases by 80% by 2050."
A compiled petition with your individual comment will be presented to your senators and representatives when you
click the button below.
Your Name
E-mail
Your Street Address
City
State
Zip
Your message to your senators and representatives: (optional)
SAMPLE PETITION 2
Virtual March on Washington
http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/sgw_marchers.asp
There is no more important cause than the call to action to save our planet. This is a
movement about change, as individuals, as a country, and as a global community. We
are all contributors to global warming and we all need to be part of the solution. Join the
742,538 supporters of the Stop Global Warming Virtual March, and become part of the
movement to demand our leaders freeze and reduce carbon dioxide emissions now.
First Name
Last Name
Email Address
ZIP
State
Country
SAMPLE PETITION 3
From: massclimateaction.org
PETITION TO AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS
WE'RE CHILDREN AND WE’RE ANGRY BECAUSE WE THINK THAT YOU, THE
AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS, ARE CAUSING TOO MUCH POLLUTION AND
DANGEROUS EMISSIONS THAT ARE DESTROYING THE PLANET. OUR PLANET.
THE ONE THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CLEAN UP IN THE FUTURE. SO PLEASE,
STOP MAKING GAS-GUZZLERS. PLEASE WORK ON HYBRIDS AND CLEAN-ENERGY
CARS. THOSE ARE THE CARS WE'LL ASK OUR PARENTS TO BUY, AND THE ONES
THAT WE'LL PURCHASE WHEN WE'RE OLD ENOUGH.
Name
Town
Age
State
Street Address
Zip___________
Please return completed petition to:
M. Romanow
325 Heath Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
HELP STOP GLOBAL WARMING WITH
INSTANT MESSAGING!!!
STOPGLOBALWARMING.ORG PARTNERS WITH MICROSOFT'S IM
INITIATIVE
We are pleased to be a partner with the i'm Initiative, connecting our cause to
Windows Live Messenger customers. When joining the program at im.live.com,
you have the opportunity to select StopGlobalWarming.org to benefit from your
use of the software. Every time you have an instant message conversation,
Microsoft shares a portion of the program's advertising revenue with us.
It's a great initiative, designed to empower people to make a difference without
spending a dime, and allowing millions of people already using Messenger to be
a part of the solution. Marchers can participate in and learn more about the i'm
Initiative by joining at im.live.com, and downloading the latest version of
Windows Live Messenger.
CLICK HERE to help support StopGlobalWarming.org
Keep Marching!
Laurie David
Founder
StopGlobalWarming.org