Citizens' Climate Lobby

Clean energy projects often encounter long, complex permitting steps that slow construction and raise costs. Practical permitting reforms can help ensure that good projects move forward faster while upholding environmental and community protections. Join CCL's VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to learn about permitting reforms to build clean energy infrastructure faster, associated tensions and compromises, and key messages for congressional offices. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (1:53) Why Building Faster is Important (8:03) What’s the Political Climate? (11:32) NEPA and Judicial Reforms (23:41) Other Related Permitting Topics (32:01) Key Messages Presentation Slides:  https://cclusa.org/build-faster-slides   Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/clean-energy-permitting-reform  Log Your Training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000FeWbYAK    

Marija Verner is the Digital Education Manager and Research Specialist at YPCCC. She studies how people around the world understand, experience, and respond to climate change, with a focus on cross-national public opinion, gender and development, and the spatial distribution of climate risks. Her research has appeared in World Development, Latin American Politics and Society, European Political Science, Nature Climate Change, Comparative Political Studies, and other scientific journals. In parallel, she co-leads the design and instruction of a professional education program in strategic climate communication for global audiences Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & National Highlights (4:25) Conversation w/ Dr. Marija Verner (38:26) Ricky Bradley Shares CCL's March Fundraising Campaign (43:10) Volunteer Spotlight and Action Sheet (50:04) BRIDGE Exercise  Join CCL: https://cclusa.org/join   March Slides: http://cclusa.org/march-2026-slides  March Action Sheet: https://cclusa.org/actionsheet   Yale Program on Climate Change Communication: https://climatecommunication.yale.edu  Explore CCL's BRIDGE Program: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE 

Join us for a training gearing up for Earth Month this April, when members of your community are out and about attending fairs, festivals, art walks, and other climate-related events. Join CCL's Senior Director of Field Operations Elli Sparks for a training that will help you and your team identify, reserve, and schedule summer tabling and clipboarding, bring CCL materials and other engaging activities to the events, and educate, activate and recruit the people you meet about climate action.  Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (1:45) Why Table? (3:10) Supporting Your Team (11:04) How to Plan and Prepare (17:15) In Review Presentation Slides: http://cclusa.org/tabling-march-2026  CCL Tabling Toolkit: https://community.citizensclimate.org/tabling-toolkit Log Your Training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP00000092NZYAY  

America's old and outdated power grid has become a critical bottleneck preventing the country from adding the needed new clean energy sources that will reduce climate pollution while improving energy affordability and security. Join CCL's VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to learn about why transmission reforms are a crucial climate solution, the details of potential transmission permitting reform provisions, and key messages for congressional offices. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (1:36) Why Transmission is Important (4:00) Transmission’s Political Climate (13:10) Challenges and Policy Solutions (24:46) What about Climate Pollution? (31:08) Does the Analysis Still Hold? (33:29) Key Messages on Transmission Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/transmission-reform-slides   Log Your Training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000FUc5YAG  Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/clean-energy-permitting-reform 

This training will dive into CCL's BRIDGE Training #2 and explore how Moral Foundations Theory helps us better understand the values that shape how people interpret climate solutions and public policy and explain why people can care deeply about the same world—but prioritize different values. We’ll practice noticing which moral values may be shaping a conversation and learn how to communicate in ways that resonate across political and cultural differences. Participants will have space to explore their own moral foundations and how those values influence how they show up in conversations and advocacy. This session builds skills for relational advocacy that strengthens trust, lowers defensiveness, and makes climate solutions feel more relevant and shared. Come ready to reflect, practice, and expand your toolkit for engaging across difference. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (5:43) Moral Foundations Theory (MFT) (23:51) Practice Activities (29:38) Discover Your Moral Compass (39:58) Applying MFT to Climate Advocacy (43:16) What Comes Next Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE-2-Slides    BRIDGE Training Page:  https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE    Log Your Attendance: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000E8ybYAC      

Join CCL Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Flannery Winchester, for a deep dive into CCL’s recently updated mission statement and new policy commitments. These statements were presented during CCL’s February meeting and are also available in an updated version of CCL’s 2026 Strategic Plan.  Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:34) Why & How (4:37) CCL's Mission Statement (10:41) CCL's Policy Commitments (18:47) Practice Activity & Wrap-up Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/mission-policy-commitments-slides   2026 Strategic Plan: https://cclusa.org/2026-strategic-plan  Log Your Training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5y8X000000wKVgQAM  

Our guest speaker for the February Meeting is William J. Doherty, Ph.D., Co-founder of Braver Angels. Bill has built a lifetime of work around helping people bridge deep divides. A co-founder of Braver Angels, Bill is the chief designer of the organization’s foundational workshops that bring Americans together across political differences to restore trust, understanding, and healthy democratic dialogue.   Join CCL: https://cclusa.org/join February Action Sheet: https://cclusa.org/actionsheet Explore CCL's BRIDGE Program: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE 

As election season picks up steam, this training will equip volunteers with a review of CCL's advice on engaging candidates and members of Congress effectively during campaign season and public events. Participants will learn how to ask concise, solution-oriented questions, connect climate solutions to local priorities, and build relationships that make climate action feel constructive and achievable. We’ll also cover how to stay proudly nonpartisan while encouraging science-based climate ambition and documenting outreach to strengthen long-term advocacy. Whether you’re new or experienced, this session will help you show up with confidence, curiosity, and a focus on building political will for climate solutions. CCL Training Event Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/events/item/24/20292   Presentation Slides:  https://cclusa.org/campaign-season-candidate-activities  Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:50) In-District Activity Goals (9:21) Activity Options (15:31) Scheduling the Activity (22:41) After the Activity (25:22) Find Candidate Events (30:07) Learn About All Candidates (31:45) Develop Strategic Questions (37:34) Work with Incumbents (38:50) Stay Nonpartisan and Bipartisan

Electrification is a key climate solution in the transition to clean energy sources. But electricity rates are rising fast and face surging demand from artificial intelligence data centers. Expensive electricity and an insufficient power supply could endanger electrification efforts. Fortunately, in an age of high costs of living, policymakers are very interested in finding solutions. Join CCL's Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli, supported by CCL's Electrification Action Team to learn what's behind rising electricity rates and energy insecurity, and how we can solve these problems. Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/energy-affordability-slides  CCL's Permitting Reform Training Topic: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/clean-energy-permitting-reform CCL's Electrification Action Team:  https://community.citizensclimate.org/groups/home/974  Log your training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000F5SPYA0   DSIRE's database of incentives for efficiency and electrification:  https://www.dsireusa.org/  Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (1:16) Electrifying Everything (5:29) Gas Power Production (9:14) Renewable Power Production (10:42) Distribution & Transmission (14:04) Climate & Extreme Weather (16:01) Load Growth, Data Centers (20:16) State Renewables Policies & Investor-Owned Utility Profits (25:35) Potential Solutions (37:39) Guest Speaker: Peter Hubbard Additional Q&A Discussion ( https://vimeo.com/1162561816/ed5f1a7ba5 )

Join Mindy Ahler, CCL's Liaison Program Manager, for a training will provide an overview of Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Congressional Liaisons Program, what the responsibilities are for the role, how to get involved if you are interested, and how to find out if there is a liaison need in your Congressional district. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (3:26) Our Values & Theory of Change (8:17) Liaison ABC's (17:45) Liaison Resources Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/becoming-liaison-slides  CCL Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/resources/item/19/400 

Join us for a training that will begin to explore the first training in CCL's BRIDGE Advocacy Program. In this session, we’ll take a deeper look at how all of us arrive at decisions and form beliefs, using insights from behavioral science. We’ll explore why intuition and emotion usually come first, and how reasoning often follows to justify those initial reactions, and why this matters for our climate advocacy. Our focus will eb on self-awareness as a foundation for stronger, more respectful climate advocacy across differences. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (3:03) Human Decision-Making (7:52) The Elephant & Rider Metaphor (19:20) Reading Resistance (22:50) Present Context - Social Media Case Study (27:07) Practice Activities (37:14) BRIDGE Pathway Ahead CCL Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/BRIDGE/Unit-1/Training-1  Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE-1-Slides  Log Your Training: https://community.citizensclimate.org/log_training?sf_id=a5yUP000000E8wzYAC   

Permitting reform is a complex topic that touches on many politically sensitive topics including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), judicial reforms, and federal involvement in interstate project permitting processes. Join CCL's VP of Government Affairs Jenn Tyler and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to learn about the permitting players, politics, problems, and how and why CCL is engaging in this challenging landscape. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:06) Why Permitting Reform Now? (13:42) Permitting Scrambles Traditional Alliances (33:27) Data From Trusted Messengers Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/permitting-landscape-slides  Training Page: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/clean-energy-permitting-reform 

Kick off the year with a State of the Organization message from CCL leaders, celebrating our recent fundraising milestones, sharing leadership updates, and previewing where things stand as we begin 2026. CCL Vice President of Field Operations Brett Cease will also debut BRIDGE —Building Relationships in Dialogue, Growth, and Engagement — our robust new relational advocacy training program designed to strengthen your communication skills and deepen your relationships with congressional offices in the year ahead. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & State of the Organization (20:05) Local Chapter Highlights & Volunteer Spotlight (26:25)  BRIDGE: Conversation with Brett Cease (42:55) CCL's January Actions Review Join CCL: https://cclusa.org/join  January Action Sheet: https://cclusa.org/actionsheet  Pre-Call Video: https://vimeo.com/1153024619  Explore CCL's BRIDGE Program: https://cclusa.org/BRIDGE 

Join CCL’s VP of Field Operations for a training that will preview CCL’s new “BRIDGE” program - Building Relationships in Dialogue, Growth, and Engagement. Brett will preview the framework that offer practical insights for having more effective, empathetic climate conversations that build understanding and momentum for change. A relational advocacy program based on behavioral and social science from Drs. Haidt, Willer, Cialdini; Amanda Ripley; and more. The program will serve as one of the foundational building blocks for Citizens’ Climate’s advocacy. Understand people’s underlying moral foundations, and learn to practice moral reframing across political perspectives. The program will also teach participants to apply practical dialogue techniques to bridge divides and engage effectively with people holding different views.

Are you curious about what to expect about CCL's Fall 2025 Conference and Lobby Days or have a question about any final details? Join Alison Kubicsko, National Events Director and Mindy Ahler CCL Congressional Liaison Manager for a final walk-through of the who, what, and where for CCL's Fall 2025 Conference and Lobby Days to help you prepare for what to expect with the schedule, logistics, and details. Presentation Slides: http://cclusa.org/lobby-conference-qa  Lobby Toolkit: https://community.citizensclimate.org/lobby-meeting-toolkit  Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:00) Conference Details  (9:50) Lobby Week Logistics

Join CCL's Vice President for Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler, Congressional Liaison Program Manager Mindy Ahler, and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli for a training that will review more details and the context for CCL's Fall 2025 Primary Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their online meetings. We'll also have time to get your questions answered by CCL's government affairs team! This is the second of two recommended trainings for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of their group's Fall 2025 Lobby Planning (as well as this Thursday's Oct 30th Lobby Training #1 - Primary Asks). Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/fall-2025-review-slides   Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:05) Review Asks (24:18) Review Lobby Meeting Plans Q&A Discussion (https://vimeo.com/1133248588/dc8bb638ae) 

Join CCL's Vice President for Government Affairs Jennifer Tyler, Congressional Liaison Program Manager Mindy Ahler, and Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli to participate in strategizing for the upcoming fall lobby meetings, get more information on the meeting asks, and have time to get your questions answered by CCL's government affairs team! This is the first of two recommended trainings for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of their group's Fall 2025 Lobby Planning (as well as this Monday Nov 3rd's Lobby Training #2 -CCL's Legislative Plan). Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:28) What's Happening in Congress? (6:54) Clean Energy Permitting Reform Ask (29:00) Fix Our Forests (37:58) Foreign Pollution Fee (42:14 ) Conclusions and Resources Review Additional Q&A Discussion (https://vimeo.com/1132528986/cb0ef3dfee )  Presentation Slides: http://cclusa.org/fall-2025-asks-slides  Primary Asks: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/primary-asks 

In this training, Charlotte Ward, CCL’s Communications and Media Manager, shares: How the Statewide Media Manager program works Which states are already leading the way — and why it’s effective The resources and support available for volunteers who want to ramp up their media work This training is for everyone who wants to be involved in media work so they can understand how CCL staff supports them through their Statewide Media Manager. You’ll learn about CCL’s new Statewide Media Manager role — a leadership position designed to strengthen media work across entire states, not just individual chapters. Taking best practices from CCL’s successful Liaison Program, Statewide Media Managers will coordinate media relations statewide with direct support and guidance from CCL’s Communications team. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (4:19) Understanding the Media Landscape (12:47) What's It Like To Take On the Role? (19:55) Next Steps Presentations Slides: https://cclusa.org/powering-up-state-media 

Jessica Trotman is the Assistant Town Manager of Black Mountain, North Carolina, where she leads recovery and resilience efforts following Hurricane Helene. She also serves as a Senior Consultant with the American Flood Coalition. To her work in resilience, Jessica brings 15 years of experience in sustainability, planning, stormwater, public health and public administration. She serves in multiple advisory roles, including the North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint advisory committee and Resilience subcommittee of the Governorʼs Advisory Committee on Western North Carolina Recovery. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Monthly Highlights (6:10) Conversation with Jessica Trotman (27:12) Q&A Discussion (33:33) CCL's October Actions Review Join CCL: https://cclusa.org/join  October Action Sheet: https://cclusa.org/actionsheet  October Meeting Slides: https://cclusa.org/october-meeting-slides  Pre-Call Video: https://vimeo.com/1126279438  Register for the Fall Conference (Nov. 14-15): https://cclusa.org/fallconference 

CCL volunteers put a lot of work into pushing the clean energy tax credits within Inflation Reduction Act over the finish line to be signed into law in 2022, and into protecting some of its provisions from outright repeal in the big budget bill this year. But how much did our efforts achieve for the climate? Join CCL Research Manager Dana Nuccitelli for an exploration of modeling scenarios in an effort to quantify how much climate pollution CCL volunteers' efforts succeeded in preventing in our pursuit to preserve a livable climate. Skip ahead to the following section(s): (0:00) Intro & Agenda (2:25) A Stroll Down Memory Lane (9:59) Emissions Heading Down (12:01) Since The Election  (21:44) What Did We Achieve? (29:31) How to get the Next Billion Tons Presentation Slides: https://cclusa.org/ira-achieved