The Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a nonprofit, nonpartisan grassroots advocacy organization that seeks to educate the public about climate change and build the political will to implement national policies that address climate change.
At our September 30th meeting, Michael Armstrong (image on left) of the Central Illinois Chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby spoke to our Club about climate change and the need to adopt policies that will solve climate change problems and ensure a healthy climate.Michael made the following observations/statements after providing us with an overview of greenhouse gas emissions and where they come from:
1. Climate change and pollution are real.
Scientific observations conclude that since the mid-20th century, human activity, particularly fossil fuel burning, are driving increases in heat trapping greenhouse gas levels in the Earth’s atmosphere that raise the Earth’s average surface temperature, and result in various forms of detrimental environmental consequences, including, but not limited to, catastrophic storms, rising sea levels and severe droughts.
He noted that global temperatures have recently broken records for 14 consecutive months.
2. Swift and significant reductions in greenhouse emissions are needed in the upcoming decades.
Without these reductions, our world will not be able to stay within a 1.5 Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) temperature increase by 2050 above industrial temperature needed to mitigate the most severe impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events.
This measure refers to the goal of limiting global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the year 2050, as outlined in the Paris Agreement and emphasized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
As of 2024, the increase is at 1.3 Celsius (2.34 Fahrenheit)
3. To achieve 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050, global greenhouse gas emissions need to reach net-zero by that date, meaning any emissions produced must be offset by carbon removal technologies.
These technologies encompass wind, solar, waste efficiency, nuclear, hydro, and hydrogen capabilities.
4. The implementation of an economy-wide carbon fee will help the United States meet its carbon reduction benchmarks through 2050.
A price is put on carbon emissions. The fee is paid by the entity emitting carbon dioxide, typically businesses or industries that produce greenhouse gases. The government collects this money, which can then be used for green initiatives, providing tax rebates to citizens or reducing other taxes. The fee also incentivizes the emitting businesses or consumers to convert to clean energy.
5. Any individual or group can get involved to effectuate effective solutions to climate change.
This can be done by (1) educating themselves about climate change, (2) expressing the need for climate change solutions to your congressman, (3) voting for candidates that support climate change mitigation policies and (4) incorporating clean energy technologies into their lifestyles.
Our Club appreciates Michael and the Central Illinois Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby efforts to raise public awareness about climate change and collaboratively promote solutions to address and mitigate its consequences.