Climate group's goal: A million letters to elected officials

A million letters to federally elected officials.

That’s what the Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) hopes to generate on behalf of a sustainable climate.

“We celebrated the kickoff of the ‘Million Letter March’ by talking to Bill McKibben as he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Saturday,” said Jeanne Johnson of Alexandria, CCL Coordinator for the 7th Congressional District, which includes Douglas County.

McKibben is the founder of 350.org which has been called the most successful climate group in the world.

A group of concerned citizens met with Senator Al Franken’s Minnesota staff earlier in the week to discuss Franken’s energy policy. They were told a key component of Franken’s approach is the creation of thousands of jobs by developing solar, wind, and geothermal industries in Minnesota.

These alternative sources of energy can replace oil, 70 percent of which comes from foreign sources.

Using less oil will also reduce carbon dioxide, a major source of climate change, Johnson said.

“Rarely has government policy had such an opportunity to kill three birds with one stone as in this case,” said Marshall Saunders, founder of the Citizens Climate Lobby.

The CCL supports implementing a tax on oil, coal and natural gas as the most critical first step in reining in climate change.

Tags: climate group, news, politics, government, franken, ccl