How You Can Get Involved Are you an Educator? Click here!
Add a policy partner to engage students in policy opportunities
Step 1.
Contact elected representatives today! You don’t have to be an energy expert to make a difference. Get their contact info.
You can use either or both of the scripts below. Call one day using the first script, and another day using the second!
“Hello, my name is ____________. My email is _______. I care about renewable energies and want a rapid ramp up in the implementation of solar and wind projects. Please work on energy policies to make this happen. It will produce jobs, help the economy, increase health, and protect the environment. Please let me know what you do.”
“Hello, my name is ____________ . My email is _______. I care about energy efficiency standards and want to see an increase in policies supporting high efficiency buildings and transportation. Please work on energy policies to make that happen. What is holding you back from supporting clean energy policies? (and how can I help* optional) Please let me know what you do.”
Here are some tips for making effective calls:
- Emails and phone calls are best
Be brief. Stick to one issue per email/call - Introduce yourself/include your contact info
- Be polite! Anger and rudeness will not leave a favorable impression
- You can call policy makers even if you do not live in their districts!
Step 2.
Post on your social media accounts “I took action at ClimateFixes.org and you can too”
Step 3.
Visit the following websites and take action to make a positive difference.
Solar
- Vote Solar – State Policy
- Solar Energy Industries Association – State Policy
- Alliance for Solar Choice
Wind
Natural Gas
Clean Energy (General)
You can also help businesses take action on climate. Additionally, you can use these suggestions from the We Mean Business coalition to find examples of what you can suggest to businesses.
Key Facts About Clean Energy
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) Renewable Electricity Futures Study (2012) shows that clean energy is a key solution to climate change. It finds that:
- Renewable electricity generation from technologies that are commercially available today, in combination with a more flexible electric system, is more than adequate to supply 80% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2050 while meeting electricity demand on an hourly basis in every region of the country.
- The abundance and diversity of U.S. renewable energy resources can support multiple combinations
Point Person
Add a state level policy point person to your existing sustainability office or staff roles and engage students in democracy and climate solutions.
Additional Information
Interested in learning more? The links below provide helpful background. Don’t forget to take action with the information above too!
US Climate and Health Alliance State Policy Initiative
Open States Note: filter by key term (e.g., Energy) to see active legislation
The Solutions Project
University of Michigan: Center for Sustainable Systems Factsheets
Interstate Renewable Energy Council
Environmental Impacts of Natural Gas
Wind Energy Foundation
Offshore Wind Energy
American Solar Energy Society
The Climate Risks of an Overreliance on Natural Gas for Electricity
Our Energy Policy
Conscious Consumers Can Do More by Getting Involved In Policy
Green Tech Media
Solar Industry Magazine
AASHE
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The Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium (HEASC) and the Disciplinary Associations Network for Sustainability (DANS) have created this initiative to empower students, educators, and the public to advocate for climate solutions.