TAKE ACTION TODAY

At this moment we urgently need support for a climate bill being debated right now in an influential committee of the US House of Representatives. We are asking for your specific help to call upon your Representative in the House to support a historic climate change bill.

Currently, the Energy and Environment Committee is drafting the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. This bill has the ability to transition our nation to clean and affordable energy, create quality jobs, and could generate crucial international financing to help vulnerable communities cope with the devastating impacts of increased floods, droughts, famine, water scarcity, disease, environmental migration, and armed conflict over resources.

It is essential that we get Congress to support a fair and safe bill by taking these two simple actions. (Even if your Representative is not on the Energy and Commerce Committee this is important to do, as all Representatives may soon vote on the bill.)

Two simple actions:

First, click this link and send this e-action. It only takes a moment. https://secure.oxfamamerica.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=983

Secondly, if your Representative is one of the following members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, please call his/her office: Bobby Rush (IL), Jan Schakowsky (IL), Elliot Engel (NY), Charles Gonzalez (TX), Anna Eshoo, (No. CA), Doris Matsui (No.CA), Peter Welch (VT), Jane Harman (So.CA), and Henry Waxman (Chair of Committee, So. CA). The full list of members can be found at http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=160&Itemid=61

Simply call his/her office and ask him/her to support international adaptation on the Clean Energy and Security Act. We have provided you with sample text below that you can use as a guide. You can find your local office’s number using this online congressional directory, or contact his/her office in Washington DC by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3121 and asking for him/her by name. Call during business hours. If you can’t, then call anytime and leave a message.

Please write us back!

Once you call, email us back at chicago@oxfamactioncorps.org and let us know how it went.

Thank you for all your hard work in helping us create solutions to poverty and injustice!

WHAT TO SAY: Draft phone text:

Hello, my name is [fill-in] and I am a resident calling to voice some comments on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 that Representative [fill-in name] and other members of the Energy and Commerce Committee are currently working on.

First, it is very important that the bill allows for substantial funding for international and domestic adaptation by auctioning carbon permits. Adaptation funds will help poor and vulnerable communities around the world cope with more erratic weather and increased floods and droughts. Climate change is a global problem and it will require global solutions. Investing in international adaptation helps our world become less prone to conflict and migration. It is the right thing to do especially since the U.S. emits over 25% of the world's greenhouse gases.

Adaptation funding also gives low-income consumers in the U.S. access to affordable clean energy, and will allow our state and the larger U.S. to invest in green-collar jobs, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.

Finally, I want to voice my support for maintaining the emission reductions proposed in the original draft of the bill. In order to avoid future disasters we need an 80% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2050.

I want to thank Rep. [fill-in] for his/her active leadership as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee. His/her guidance can help pass strong and effective climate legislation.

Urgent Action: Call your legislators!

We have an urgent request for folks to call their Representative ASAP to encourage s/he to sign onto a letter addressed to Chairman Waxman, asking him to make sure he includes funding for international adaptation in his climate bill. Deadline is tomorrow at noon (Tuesday) so we need to get this out to folks to call as soon as possible. Email action alert and script is pasted below. Anything you can do to circulate this to your friends and family would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

____________________________________
I just got a call from our Washington, DC office. Rep. Waxman (D-CA) is deciding this week on whether to provide funding in a climate bill to help millions of the world's poorest people deal with the devastating effects of climate change. We need your help.

A letter is circulating right now that will show Mr. Waxman just how much support there is for assisting vulnerable people to cope with the climate crisis both at home and abroad. The deadline for Congressional members to sign on to the letter is NOON TOMORROW!

Can you take two minutes to call your Representative right now to help ensure that international funding to help the poorest countries deal with climate-impacts make it into this year’s climate legislation?

Here’s how:

1.) Dial your Representative’s office at 1-800- 814-2608 before tomorrow.
2.) Tell the staff person answering the phone that you’re calling to ask your Representative to please sign the letter addressed to Chairman Waxman urging him to include in his bill international investments for a global solution to climate change.
3.) When you’ve finished speaking with the Congressional office, click here to report back to us on how the call went.

The final step of letting us know how your call went is vital — it helps us know if you support this effort and is useful when we talk to Congress members. As you know, climate change is already having a devastating impact on poor countries. These countries are the least responsible for the climate crisis and are the least able to cope with its devastating impacts. Yet, developing nations are twenty times more likely to be hit with climate-related natural disasters. If funding for adaptation programs isn't included in this year’s climate change legislation, we will miss a major opportunity to help the world’s poorest people survive the effects of global warming. We also will make it almost impossible to secure a global agreement to solve the climate crisis.

Will you please make sure that our leaders know the how important international funding is? Call your Representative at 1-800- 814-2608 today! And then click here once you’ve called to report that you’ve raised your voice in Washington.

Thank you for your continued activism and support.

Sincerely,
Tim Fullerton
Oxfam America

Toll-Free Script: Greeting Message:[OPENING] Hello. Thank you for calling the Climate Change Take Action hotline. Your voice will make a difference! Rep. Waxman, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce committee, is deciding this week whether or not to provide funding in a climate bill to help millions of the world's poorest people deal with the devastating effects of climate change. Right now, a letter is circulating that will show Mr. Waxman how much support there is for assisting vulnerable people to cope with the climate crisis both at home and abroad. In a moment, you’ll be connected directly to your Representative in Washington. Tell your Representative’s office your name and what city you live in, then tell them that you are calling to ask your Representative to please sign the letter addressed to Chairman Waxman urging him to include in his bill international investments for a global solution to climate change.

Pre- Transfer Message: Again, tell your Representative that you are a constituent by mentioning your name and what city you live in and, tell them that you are calling to ask your representative to please sign the letter addressed to Chairman Waxman urging him to include in his bill international investments for a global solution to climate change. Please hold and in a few seconds you will be connected. [TRANSFER TO LEGISLATOR]

Upcoming Concert Outreach

Missy Higgins - March 13th

Bloc Party - March 28th

M.Ward - April 26th

Coldplay - July 25th

To find out more or to get involved with our concert outreach team, please email chicago.oxfamactioncorps@gmail.com

Upcoming Events

COME OUT AND BE PART OF THE ACTION:
Let us know if you want to join in on any of the upcoming events!

Good Greens Festival
Saturday, September 6, 2008
DuSable Museum of African American History - 740 E. 56th Place
Farmers Market, healthful food preparation demonstrations, panel discussion, and free concert
Come table and enjoy the Festival!


SGI USA Think Peace Take Action Day
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Chicago Cultural Center - 78 E. Washington
Lecture by UN representative Hiro Sakura, members of SGI USA, DePaul University, Peace Alliance, and the United Nations Association
Come table and attend the lecture!


Sisters on the Planet Screening and Reception
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Gene Siskel Film Center - 164 North State Street
Premiere screening of Oxfam's Sisters on the Planet documentary followed by a reception and discussion
Come volunteer and watch!


Congressional Lobby Visits
Scheduled at times that work for you
Set up a personal lobby visit with Illinois representatives and senators