Local environmental groups have banded together to consolidate efforts and make a bigger impact on climate issues.

Who are we?  

•  350 Loudoun
• Chesapeake Climate Action Network
• Environment Virginia
• Herndon Environmental Network
• Sierra Club Great Falls Group
• Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax

Recent Activities

August 2013

Since the first Climate Action Happy Hour in August in Herndon, environmentalists in the Great Falls Group area have been joining together at happy hours to network and exchange ideas and information. Fifty people attended our first happy hour. Read about that event in the Fall 2013 issue of The Cascade. 

We joined together to influence key members of the Senate, tie the Keystone XL Pipeline to climate change, and connect the Keystone XL fight to tar sands pipeline fights across the country.

Our breakout sessions generated ideas for acting locally. Glen Besa, Virginia Sierra Club Executive Director, hosted the evening and shared what the Sierra Club has been doing to fight the extraction of oil from tar sands and lobby Virginia representatives to raise awareness of the environmental agenda. We gave birth to a plan to visit our Virginia senators on Capitol Hill.

September 2013

We met in September at a Falls Church library for pizza. Environment Virginia's Sarah Frost led a discussion on individual actions we can do, targets, and tactics:

• Join a team to monitor letter-to-the-editor opportunities and respond through the "Truth Squad" (a letter-to-the-editor writing team). To join in and learn more, contact Seth Heald, Volunteer Team Leader, [email protected].
• Work at local farmers markets and festivals to raise awareness and gather petition signatures. Carlin Anderson, president of the Herndon Environmental Network (HEN) shared their success. HEN's outreach has grown their membership to over 100 members.
• Plan public events like "Draw the Line on Climate Change" on September 21, organized by 350 Loudoun and Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

October 2013

At a happy hour at O'Faolain's in Sterling on October 23, Madison Pouche from Environment Virginia invited us to attend and testify at an EPA carbon emissions rules citizen hearing. Five of our members spoke out at the October 29 Arlington County library event and recorded our testimony for the EPA comment period on new carbon emission standards for power plants. Senator Kaine's Manassas office representative attended and thanked us for our work.

During this critical EPA comment period on carbon emissions from power plants, the NOVA Climate Action Coalition wants Senators Kaine and Warner to support strengthening EPA standards. We are showing the White House and EPA that there is broad support for action on climate change and making sure that Washington hears from key constituency leaders who represent diverse stakeholders. It is only with support from our senators, congressmen, and local leaders that we can make a difference.

That night, we kicked off our planned NOVA Climate Action Coalition "Public Officials Week of Actions," scheduled for the week of December 1, to demonstrate broad support across Virginia. We can do a lot here in Northern Virginia, but we also need Washington to follow our lead and take action. We need volunteers to circulate and sign on to a letter of support for public leaders who support climate solutions.

November 2013

At a happy hour in Vienna, Nathan Jenkins, Virginia Campaign Coordinator for Appalachian Voices, showed us a "New Power for the Old Dominion" presentation. Nathan explained how Virginia is missing out on the nationwide clean energy boom. We saw and heard the stories behind our energy choices--families affected by mountaintop removal coal mining and the clean energy businesses and organizations already creating Virginia jobs, saving families money, and reducing pollution. What we heard was a clean-energy path for Virginia, demonstrating our potential for energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Also, Keith Thirion from Chesapeake Climate Action Network briefed us on how we can effectively let the Virginia legislature know that our state must act on climate now. We are organized to help get environmental issues on their radar during the 60-day session that will start January 8.

NOVA Climate Action Coalition on Capitol Hill.

What You Can Do

• Write Sentaors Kaine and Warner asking them to oppose the Keystone XL Pipeline and support President Obama's climate plan. (www.kaine.senate.gov and www.warner.senate.gov/public)
   

• Write your Virginia legislators asking them to support clean, renewable energy for Virginia and to oppose continued use of fossil fuels that affect climate change. (http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/VGAMain?openform)
   

• Come join us!

The next Climate Action Happy Hour will be Monday, January 27, 7 to 9 pm.

Greene Turtle

3950 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030

Contact: Susan Bonney at [email protected] or 703-402-9292

by Susan Bonney