By now you have probably seen the headlines from the leaked upcoming IPCC report: “Crushing climate impacts to hit sooner than feared”. It might sound like something out of a Hollywood sci fi film, but as those who are living today with the record-setting heat waves, drought and fires in the West and the flooding in the South know all too well, it is anything but futuristic fiction.

The leaked draft makes clear that “climate change is happening now, is accelerating and posing unprecedented threats to human and natural systems — and that taking fast action can still avoid the worst economic and ecological impacts.”

Numerous studies have shown that voluntary corporate action alone is not enough to reduce emissions at the pace and scale necessary to prevent catastrophic climate change. The task before us is far larger than the incremental work of a few investors and companies, or even the entire natural products industry. A systemic change requires a systemic solution and that means both private AND public commitment. It requires government leadership. We have the technologies and the solutions. We are not scaling them up fast enough. Solving the climate crisis is no longer a technical problem. It is a political one and it needs a political solution.

If you have EVER thought about stepping up to advocate for climate action, NOW IS THE MOMENT. 

The most important climate legislation in a generation is going to be decided between now and late fall. It is clear that there is an enormous need for more pressure to be applied to Congress with the message “We have no time to wait. We need you to lead now.” This is our political moment. We don’t know when we will have it again.

Over the past year, working with our partners like ASBC, Ceres and America Is All In, the Climate Collaborative has greatly scaled up opportunities for you to engage your lawmakers— and wow have you risen to the challenge. We are asking you once again to step-up to use your powerful voice as a business leader. Please join your peers from the business community as well as leaders from cities, states, tribal nations, and the institutions of higher ed, healthcare, faith and culture from across the country at what we hope will be the largest virtual climate Hill Day ever.

We have partnered with our friends at America Is All In and Ceres to make this as simple and painless as possible for you. It is free and absolutely no previous experience is necessary. You simply “zoom-in” when it is convenient for you and if you choose, share your story of why climate action is important to your business. The key is to be counted as a business leader that is concerned about climate change!

REGISTER HERE and attend all or part of it.

Schedule

• Monday, July 12^th 1-5 pm ET/ 10 am - 2 pm PT Advocacy Training and Briefings
• Tuesday, July 13^th and July 14^th Virtual meetings with Congressional and Administration offices will be held via Zoom throughout the day.

Whether you are a seasoned pro at speaking to your elected officials or this is a completely new experience, we hope you will consider joining us!

What Makes Congress Listen?

The business community is a powerful influencer in Washington, and the voices of small and medium sized businesses are particularly important. Research confirms that the most powerful influence on members of Congress are personal (and virtual) visits from their constituents, telling their individual stories, and providing information on the impact of legislation on their district[1]. Your members of Congress need to hear from you— what climate disruption means to you and your business, what you are doing about it, and what you want them to do about it.

We hope you will join us!

[1] Source: Congressional Management Foundation