Maryland Virginia Washington, DC Where do you stand on  global warming?

 1SKY CAMPAIGN

For climate solutions at the scale of the problem

We all know it can't wait any longer. 1 Sky seeks to galvanize a more powerful climate movement around a positive vision and a clear, simple set of goals and policy initiatives that are commensurate with the scale of the climate challenge. It is not a new institution or even a coalition. Its purpose is to communicate a vision and a simple set of goals around which a very diverse movement - with many audiences and organizing strategies -- can gather and gain power. It is being born from the collective urgency and determination of a diverse group of activists who believe that we must converge quickly and enthusiastically to form a movement capable of achieving solutions on the scale of the problem.

GOAL: To pass national climate policy legislation, scaled to the problem, in 2009. The legislation must both protect the climate and mobilize America to build a new energy economy by investing in people and communities.

WATCH: President of the Board, Betsy Taylor, explains the 1Sky concept.

Learn more at www.1sky.org

WHY ANOTHER NEW THING? HOW DOES IT RELATE TO EXISTING EFFORTS?
The emerging climate movement does not lack ideas, leaders, or organizing capacity. It lacks coherence and collective power. Inhibited by institutional imperatives and political constraints, we have not yet aligned ourselves (let alone America!) behind solutions as big as the problem.

This initiative will be designed to bring the movement together, but not under a single institution. The unifying force will be a common destination - a vision, a moral proposition, a policy program, and a communication strategy for real solutions that rise to the scale of the challenge. The institutional muscle for driving toward that destination is predominately the existing and enhanced capacity of current organizations.

Audiences: 1sky at its most basic level will be a big, bold call to America that speaks to defining and unifying American values. Resources will be targeted to focus on achieving our policy objectives as quickly as possible. The campaign and the message will be designed so that the core platform and message can be "wrapped" in messages and organizing strategies targeted to a wider array of audiences - as wide as the constituencies of the many partners and supporters of the initiative.

Policy: The 1sky policy platform will answer the question: "What is the core proposition that binds us together in a powerful, coherent movement, and how can that proposition be translated into a bottom line to which we can hold our leaders accountable?" It will be designed to support a huge and very diverse organizing and communication effort. It's not a targeted message piece. It's the core content and unifying proposition. We expect the platform to include the following specific features in some form:

1) Responsible, science-based cap (80% below 1990 by 2050, with interim/annual benchmarks), with proceeds from sale of emission rights devoted to public benefit (direct royalties and/or investments in transition)
2) No new coal until it can permanently prevent CO2 emissions to the atmosphere.
3) Strong standards for efficiency and renewables for both power sector and transportation.
4) Ambitious investments in people, communities, infrastructure, and technologies to build a clean energy future.
5) International re-engagement and leadership.
6) Specific features that jump-start a big, engaging mobilization (e.g., Green Job Corps, New Energy Future Fund/Authority.)

Take Action
Keep Winter Cold! CCAN's 4th Annual Polar Bear Plunge
Come support CCAN's work at our 4th Annual Polar Bear Plunge on January 10, 2009.  This year, we're expecting 100s of people to run, jump and dash into the icy waters of the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis.  It's always a blast and the event raises crucial funds to keep us fighting for clean energy.  Go to www.keepwintercold.org to join the plunge or to donate to your favorite plunger. MORE >

Coal to Action: March 2nd Coal Protest
Join us on March 2 at the coal-fired power plant that powers that national capitol.  Coal is the dirtiest source of fuel on the planet, despite the myth of clean coal that energy companies are pushing.  The time has come to show our legislators that we demand new, clean sources of energy.  Please join us! MORE >

Are police spying on you, too?
We have recently been notified that the Maryland State Police kept intelligence files on four members of the CCAN staff, including Mike, Anne and Josh. Outrageously, while peacefully and legally fighting global warming through grassroots organizing, we were "suspected of involvement in terrorism." MORE >

Energy and Environment Forums
Candidates Gerry Connolly and Keith Fimian will discuss Virginia's energy future at the next candidate forum, scheduled for October 16th at 7:30.  Register now and hear what these two have to say about renewable energy, energy efficiency, the future of coal and more.  MORE >

Climate Action Now rally
Thank you for making this event such a huge success! We had nearly 300 people come out to call for climate action on the coldest day of the season so far! Thanks so much to all of our wonderful speakers - each person did an amazing job and I know everyone left that rally pumped up. We dropped welcome cards to every member of congress - even the freshmen.  Click through for pictures! MORE >

Voters for Climate Action

As President-elect Obama said in his victory speech, it's time to "join in the work of remaking this nation," and we couldn't agree more. Here is our chance -- right now -- to work with our new leaders to make sure our vision of a clean energy future becomes reality. MORE >

CCAN Blog: What's New
Is it the job of a science reporter or climate reporter to toe the editorial line of a newspaper, or is it to write the truth?
This post is in response to the recent Earthbeat podcast with Joe Romm and Andy Revkin going over the supposedly big climate issues of 2008.
The show led off with “and what a year it was. Scientists continued to be shocked at the lack of ice in the Arctic…” then later on Joe Romm said [...] MORE >

My Column on Need for Federal Action
Hey, so not too long ago I had an op-ed column come out in my campus newspaper The Diamondback about what the United States needs to do in 2009 so that we can get a strong global treaty in Copenhagen.  I wanted to share it on this blog, so I’m going to cross-post what I [...] MORE >

Monsters Eating Mountains?

The Green Gorilla cartoon takes on mountain top removal mining in their latest episode called “Turn it Up Day”. As the city turns up their power, the kids investigate where the power comes from. KJ helps the gang find out that “clean and green” is actually a massive coal-seeking mechanical worm on its [...] MORE >

LTE Opportunity: The Best Holiday Gift Ever!
Come January, we’ll be working nonstop to raise awareness about global warming solutions in Maryland and Virginia. Not only that, but we’ll also be focused on working with the new Congress to make climate a priority within the first 100 days of the next administration. This spring will be THE crucial time to pass climate [...] MORE >

Join us at the Plunge!
On January 10, CCAN is hosting our 4th Annual Polar Bear Plunge. About 200 of us are going to jump in the Chesapeake Bay and freeze our butts off for climate action.
The Polar Bear Plunge is CCAN’s major grassroots fund-raising event. Just like a walk for cancer, the day’s plungers recruit friends and family to [...] MORE >