Climate Changes Are Here!

Are the Koch Brothers targeting New Mexico next?

2014-05-01T05:00:00.000-06:00

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Climate Activist—

The Koch Carbon lobby is working hard to spread their influence across the country, and we need your help to stop it.

In their latest assault, these supposed scions of get-government-off-my-back libertarianism are funding state efforts to force environmentally-concerned Americans who have installed solar panels and small wind turbines on their property to pay—of all things—a surtax on electricity sold back to the grid.

Oh, the irony. As The New York Times pointed in an editorial over the weekend:

"At long last, the Koch brothers and their conservative allies in state government have found a new tax they can support. Naturally it’s a tax on something the country needs: solar energy panels."

Lawmakers in Oklahoma have recently passed a solar surtax bill, and the Kochs and their Big Carbon allies are launching similar attacks on clean energy policies in other states.

Is New Mexico the next battleground? Not if we can stop them.

Please send an email to your governor and state representatives urging them to reject these backward attacks on clean, renewable energy policies.

In Charles and David Koch's topsy-turvy world, funding climate denialism seems like a twisted sport these two oil tycoons play just to rattle our cages—and line their own pockets.

Undermining science and honest debate is one thing. But financially backing policies that block climate action and suppress clean energy innovation is where their destructive worldview sinks its jagged teeth into our efforts to make progress.

More and more, this battle is being fought in the states. The Kochs and their Big Carbon allies are targeting hard-won renewable and clean energy policies that are making our communities cleaner and more prosperous.

We can never outspend the Kochs and their allies. But, we can speak together and we can win.

Please take action now to tell your governor and state legislators that you support strong clean energy standards in New Mexico. Urge your elected officials to stand up to the Koch brothers and their radical, backward assault on innovation and our cleaner energy future.

Thank you for standing with us as we take on the Koch Carbon lobby. Your actions matter and we are grateful to be a part of this energized community of engaged environmental activists.

Thank you,

Heather Shelby
Action Network Coordinator

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ALL ACTIONS: Doing Nothing is Just Not an Option

2014-04-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

Take Action →

Eco Activist—

Reading the hundreds of Climate Confessions sent in by EDF members & activists across the country, one simple phrase instantly caught my attention:

"Doing nothing is not a prescription for change." —Nita K., Carol Stream, IL.

Nita is right—and we need you to follow her lead. We've made it easy: Take every action alert we've got with just one click.

There's no denying the fact that we're up against some extremely well-funded, well-organized opposition. But all their money can't buy our best weapon: you.

Beating them isn't impossible—we've done it before.

In 1990, as bipartisan support rose for a cap-and-trade plan to harness markets and solve the acid rain disaster, the Koch Brothers poured their money into a front group—the "Concerned Citizens for the Environment"—with the goal of derailing this much-needed solution.

The group—without any citizen membership—produced studies insisting that acid rain was a myth (sound familiar?). They lobbied for deregulation of corporations, insisting that was the true way to protect the environment.

They lost. Our plan to reduce acid rain was put into action, affecting even the Kochs' heavy-emitting refineries and factories. And it was a massive success.

We cut sulfur dioxide emissions in half, at a fraction of the expected costs. By 2000, scientists were documenting decreased sulfates in Adirondack lakes, improved visibility in national parks and widespread benefits to human health. The Economist called it "the greatest green success story of the past decade."

Beating back their endless attacks may seem impossible—but we've done it before. Help do it again.

Stand up against Congressional attacks on climate action. Take every action alert we've got, all at once.

Thank you for your activism and support,

Heather Shelby
Action Network Coordinator

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BREAKING: Supreme Court upholds life-saving pollution limits

2014-04-29T11:53:00.000-06:00

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EDF Member—

We’ve just won a major victory in the fight for clean, healthy air.

Today, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of EPA's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, which EDF has been tirelessly defending. The rule tightens limits on certain forms of air pollution that power plants in 28 states in the East and Midwest are allowed to emit.

Air pollution from these plants drifts across state borders, contributing to dangerous—and sometimes lethal—levels of smog pollution in downwind states.

After 3 years of waiting, today’s ruling means this life-saving rule can now go into effect. Each year, this rule will:

Save up to 34,000 lives
Prevent 400,000 asthma attacks
Avoid 1.8 million sick days
Provide benefits of $120-$280 billion

Thank you for your commitment and support during this long fight—we simply could not rise to these challenges without you.

Cheers,

Emily Stevenson
Manager, Online Membership

P.S. The most effective way to support these and other EPA regulations is by joining our monthly giving program, the EDF EcoPartners. Your regular small gifts will sustain our legal team through long, drawn-out legal battles—and you’ll receive a special quarterly update just for EcoPartners that will keep you informed of our progress.

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URGENT: Earth Day Deadline Tonight

2014-04-22T05:00:00.000-06:00

2014 Annual Fund

Deadline: April 22

Annual Fund Gift: Pending
Suggested Donation: $25

Donate Now →

EDF Member—

We have just hours left to reach our critical $750,000 Annual Fund goal by midnight tonight…and here’s where we stand:

Will you make a donation before midnight tonight to fight for a safer climate future?

About a month ago, I shared my Climate Confession with you: That sometimes the climate crisis feels like too big of a problem. That facing off against well-funded climate deniers like the Koch brothers day after day sometimes feels like an unwinnable fight.

I hope learning about the real progress we’ve made in the last several years has encouraged your belief in our ability to solve the climate crisis. We’re working the problem from every angle: in Congress, at the EPA, in state legislatures, in municipal governments, in corporate board rooms, in communities—and in the homes of people like you across the country who stand together calling for climate action.

As of midnight last night, more than 4,600 donors have stepped up, giving gifts ranging from $5 to $2,500. Your gift can help push us over the top! And remember: the Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust has agreed to match your first online gift to EDF, $1-for-$1.

That means if you make a gift of $5 or more to our 2014 Annual Fund today, it will be DOUBLED in value!

We are making a difference. We’ve lowered carbon emissions. Now, we have an incredible opportunity to build on that progress—let’s not miss our moment.

Thank you so much for everything you do,

Sam Parry
Director, Membership

P.S. Don’t miss out on this special opportunity to have your gift doubled in value. Please make a gift in honor of Earth Day before midnight tonight.

Environmental Defense Fund
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Earth Day Deadline Tomorrow--Plus...a special offer

2014-04-21T05:00:00.000-06:00

2014 Annual Fund

Deadline: April 22

Annual Fund Gift: Pending
Suggested Donation: $25

Donate Now →

EDF Member—

Less than 48 hours remain until our Earth Day deadline—time is running out to stand with your fellow EDF members who have contributed to our 2014 Annual Fund Campaign. Will you make a donation before midnight tomorrow to fight for a safer climate and a healthier world?

We began our Climate Changing series by asking to hear from you—our members. Parents, teachers, scientists, business leaders, and more responded by sharing their own stories of their connection to climate action. The response was overwhelming and inspiring.

In Friday’s powerful slideshow, you shared your hope and optimism—and your sense of moral responsibility for the world we’re leaving to our children and grandchildren:

"For me, there is no choice." Dr. Arthur C. from West Chatham, MA

More than 4,000 donors have now contributed nearly $650,000 to our Annual Fund, putting us so close to our goal. And we want you to join our ranks. That’s why the Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust has agreed to match your first online gift to EDF, $1-for-$1.

That means if you make your first online donation before tomorrow night’s deadline, your gift will be DOUBLED in value!

Time is running out—not just for our Annual Fund Campaign, but for our planet and its climate. There’s no better time than now—when your gift will be doubled in value—to make a difference.

You give me hope,

Emily Stevenson
Manager, Online Membership

P.S. Don’t miss this matching gift opportunity! Please make a gift before our Earth Day deadline tomorrow night.

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SLIDESHOW: Proof That Your Actions Matter

2014-04-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

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Every bit of doubt I had about our ability to confront the climate crisis is gone. It's not because of how much America has already lowered CO₂ emissions, or because of all the work EDF is doing. It's because of you—and our slideshow proves it.

I spent days pouring over the 634 climate confessions you sent in—and you are unbelievably inspiring.

I read letters from climate scientists about their refusal to stop fighting. Teachers and professors are educating the next generation, igniting their passion for our cause. Inventors are exploring new options to help America kick its fossil fuel addiction. And each of you take important steps in your everyday lives—from installing solar panels on your homes, to trading car rides for long walks—all in an effort to lower your own carbon footprint.

I know that in spite of all you do, you still feel helpless sometimes. I know you question whether or not your actions can stand up against such well-funded, well-organized opposition. And I’m here to tell you: We can win this, because of you. I have never been more certain of that fact.

And I want to share my renewed faith in grassroots efforts—and your ability to make a difference—with you.

Check out our slideshow, and find out just how much your actions matter—to those of us at EDF, and to communities all over the world.

Thank you for all you do,

Heather Shelby
Action Network Coordinator

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We're not waiting for Congress

2014-04-16T05:00:00.000-06:00

2014 Annual Fund

Deadline: April 22

Annual Fund Gift: Pending
Suggested Donation: $25

Donate Now →

EDF Member—

There’s less than a week left until Earth Day! That means we have just six more days to reach our $750,000 Annual Fund goal.

More than 3,000 donors have already contributed $556,670, putting us so close to our goal—and with more than 750,000 EDF activists in our corner, I know we can get there. Will you make a donation of $25 or more to give us the support we need to fight for a safer climate and a healthier world?

I don’t need to tell you how important our fight against global warming is. This is the challenge of our lives and EDF has made it our #1 priority.

I’m proud to work at EDF because we haven’t let partisan bickering and climate deniers in Washington stand in our way. We look beyond government to find communities and businesses who, like you and I, want to make a difference.

Monday’s slideshow showcased my personal favorite EDF program: the EDF Climate Corps. We’ve trained hundreds of top-tier graduate students in sustainable energy management and embedded them with major companies, organizations, and municipal governments—like Google, AT&T, and the City of Austin, to name a few.

Since 2008, EDF Climate Corps fellows have identified opportunities equivalent to:

Cutting the annual electricity use of 180,000 homes
Avoiding the annual carbon emission of 260,000 cars
Nearly $1.3 billion in energy cost reductions

And because our fellows have saved their host organizations an average of $1 million each, we’ve given America’s biggest businesses a good reason to clean up their energy use. Many of our fellows go on to work full-time in energy management, continuing to put their EDF training to work saving energy and cutting emissions.

Your donation to our 2014 Annual Fund campaign supports unique, non-governmental solutions like the Climate Corps that you won’t find anywhere else.

We have just 6 days until Earth Day. I hope you’ll respond in time to help us reach our goal.

Thank you for fighting with us,

Emily Stevenson
Manager, Online Membership

P.S. A recent Sierra Club survey of registered voters found that 2 in 3 believe climate change is a serious problem. That makes us a Climate Majority. Please, stand with your fellow members and make a contribution to our 2014 Annual Fund before our Earth Day deadline.

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SLIDESHOW: EDF's Climate Corps is in it for the profit

2014-04-14T05:00:00.000-06:00

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Step 1: Cut carbon emissions.
Step 2: Save money.

We know that reducing climate emissions is good for the Earth. And in today's slideshow, you'll see how EDF is making energy conservation good for the bottom line.

For many of America's leading businesses, wasting energy isn't just bad for the environment—it's bad for business. All that energy use costs money, and consumers are increasingly demanding environmental responsibility from their retailers.

Enter EDF's Climate Corps. Each summer, EDF selects and trains top-tier graduate students to build energy management plans for leading businesses and organizations like AT&T, Google, and FedEx.

Talk about win-win solutions. See how EDF's Climate Corps is saving energy, cutting costs, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, helping their host organizations...and our planet.

Enjoy the show!

Emily Stevenson
Manager, Online Membership

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Will ALEC win in NM?

2014-04-11T07:00:00.000-06:00

2014 Annual Fund

Deadline: April 22

Annual Fund Gift: Pending
Suggested Donation: $25

Donate Now →

EDF Member—

In the race to tackle the climate crisis, many U.S. states are leading the way. In Wednesday's “State Climate Action” slideshow, you can really see how this local action is making a global impact.

Will you make a donation to our Climate Action Fund today to fight for clean, renewable, sustainable energy policy in the states?

State climate action has included some of our most important and impactful victories in recent years:

AB32, the California climate bill launched the world’s largest economy-wide cap-and-trade program
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), America’s first carbon cap-and-trade system covering major power plants in nine Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) programs in 29 states that require utilities to generate a minimum percentage of power from clean, renewable sources

Your donation to the Climate Action Fund will support continued development and expansion of ground-breaking climate action in the states.

The states are also where we’ve fought to hang on to the progress we’ve made. Last year, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) introduced 37 bills in state legislatures around the country to roll back RPS programs. They even introduced bills to mandate teaching climate denial to our children in school! Happily, all their efforts failed.

But ALEC is back. This year, they’ve drafted model bills to introduce in legislatures around the country including:

A resolution calling for Congress to pass pro-coal-fired-electricity legislation,
A model bill to increase electric costs for consumers generating their own solar power, and
A scaled-back attack on RPS that would weaken and gradually eliminate standards rather than repeal them entirely.

Please make a donation to our Climate Action Fund to stand strong against attacks from ALEC and other allies of the dirty energy industry.

Thank you for fighting with us,

Emily Stevenson
Manager, Online Membership

P.S. We’ve set a goal to raise $750,000 for our 2014 Annual Fund Campaign by Earth Day, April 22. Because the Climate Action Fund is so critical, your donation to the Climate Action Fund today will count towards our $750,000 Annual Fund Goal.

Environmental Defense Action Fund
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Don't miss this:

2014-04-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

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Climate Activist—

Showtime's groundbreaking Years of Living Dangerously climate documentary series is a poignant, 60-Minutes style report detailing climate impacts as well as solutions.

The first episode airs this Sunday—and you can watch it, even if you don't have Showtime. Our friends at 350.org are organizing house parties across the country to help people find local neighbors with whom to view the series—and I urge you to find one near you.

You don't want to miss this. These first-hand accounts, detailing the devastation the climate crisis has already unleashed around the world—from Texas to Indonesia to Syria—would have to convince even the most stalwart climate deniers that we must take action immediately.

Please join us in watching as Don Cheadle learns how the drought in Texas is devastating ranching communities, Harrison Ford travels to Indonesia to watch as rainforests are leveled to make room for palm oil plantations, and New York Times columnist Tom Friedman traces the cause of brutal civil unrest in Syria back to a dry spell the likes of which the country has never seen before.

I hope you'll tune in,

Heather Shelby
Action Network Coordinator

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SLIDESHOW: State Climate Action

2014-04-09T05:00:00.000-06:00

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From cap-and-trade programs to clean energy development, many states aren't waiting for the federal government. They're taking action now to fight for a safer climate future.

In today’s Climate Changing slideshow, learn about some of our most important and successful recent state victories...and the battles currently underway.

As you know, establishing the first-ever national limits on carbon pollution from America’s fossil fuel-fired power plants is EDF’s top priority in 2014.

But most of the details of day-to-day energy production and distribution are regulated by state and local authorities.

View our State Climate Action slideshow to find out how local climate action can have a global climate impact.

Enjoy the show!

Emily Stevenson
Manager, Online Membership

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Dangerous Times

2014-04-08T13:30:00.000-06:00

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Climate Activist—

If you haven't seen the 1^st episode of Years of Living Dangerously, Showtime's new documentary series on the growing climate crisis, you should.

The first episode is available free online and you can view it now on our Voices blog.

Having just watched it, I have three main takeaways:

There isn't a corner on the globe not already impacted by climate change. The first episode takes viewers from the Texas Panhandle to the Indonesian rainforests to the deadly conflict in Syria. The devastating climate crisis is already hurting communities around the world—and it's only getting worse.
Ordinary people will need a lot of help as the climate crisis deepens. Just ask the millions of Syrian refugees. Or the Texas cattle ranchers. Or the people of Indonesia working to protect their forests.
Many more people need to understand what's happening. There is still way too much confusion and denial out there—the climate debate has been polarized for long enough and we need a much broader awareness of how serious this crisis is.

The 9-part series will feature a mix of stories describing both climate threats as well as unique solutions from around the world. One segment, scheduled to air on May 25th, will focus on the inspiring work of some of America's best and brightest business school students who are promoting energy efficiency in American companies, cities, and universities through EDF's innovative Climate Corps program.

This is an opportunity to engage our friends, family, and neighbors in the vital discussion on the climate crisis and what it will take to solve it. I encourage you to join this conversation starting with watching the first episode free online.

Thanks,

Sam Parry
Membership Director

P.S. This first episode is available free online. But, if you don't have a Showtime subscription, future episodes won't be immediately available. Our friends at 350.org are organizing house parties across the country to help people find local neighbors with whom to view the series. From our blog post, you'll be able to look up house parties near you to watch future episodes.

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The future of clean energy

2014-04-07T05:00:00.001-06:00

Donate Now →

EDF Member—

Earth Day—and our online 2014 Annual Fund deadline—is just two weeks away.

Will you make an online donation to help us raise $750,000 by Earth Day, April 22?

If we were making a movie about the environmental battles we’re fighting in 2014, the "star" of the film would be the monumentally important battle we’re fighting to establish the first ever national limits on carbon pollution from America’s power plants.

But as they say in Hollywood, "There are no small parts." And every day, the entire cast of EDF scientists, economists and other policy experts are using a multitude of approaches to solving the climate crisis.

As we approach Earth Day, we’re sharing a series of close-up looks at this "supporting cast:" all the many diverse programs that your Annual Fund donation will support.

If you viewed our Clean Energy slideshow on Friday, you’ve learned all about the benefits of the smart grid: lower utility costs, less climate pollution, more reliable power, and more control over your own energy use.

Your tax-deductible 2014 Annual Fund donation will support smart grid and clean energy developments like:

"Living laboratory" smart-grid pilot programs in Austin, San Diego, and Chicago
Programs like the Energy Innovation Series that attract private investment capital to clean energy initiatives and start-ups
On-Bill-Repayment, a consumer program that makes switching to clean energy sources more affordable for utility customers

Please make a donation to our 2014 Annual Fund today...and together we can unleash our clean energy future.

Thank you for all your support,

Sam Parry
Director, Membership

P.S. Thank you for joining our online community this year. 2,044 activists like you have already made a contribution to help us reach our $750,000 Earth Day Goal. Will you take the next step by making your first online donation to our 2014 Annual Fund campaign?

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SLIDESHOW: Clean Energy Today

2014-04-04T05:00:00.000-06:00

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I hope you’ve been enjoying our Climate Changing series of slideshows, each offering a deeper look at the many ways EDF is making progress in the fight against climate change.

Today’s short slideshow will tell you all you need to know about the 'smart grid' and EDF’s efforts to make it much easier for families, businesses, and innovators to reap the rewards of adopting smarter, cleaner, more efficient energy solutions.

The modern U.S. electric grid is an impressive feat of engineering...but it’s also outmoded, inefficient, and a major source of climate pollution. Our phones are getting smarter, and so are our cars, appliances, and homes. Now it’s time for the power grid to smarten up, too.

What is the smart grid, and how does it reduce climate pollution while lowering your utility bill and giving you more control over your energy use?

View our Clean Energy slideshow to find out.

Happy viewing,

Emily Stevenson
Manager, Online Membership

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SLIDESHOW: Climate Action vs. Climate Denial

2014-04-02T07:00:00.000-06:00

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The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued their latest report just days ago. What are the key findings?

Climate change is everywhere. Impacts have been found on every single continent.
Both people and wildlife are vulnerable.
Building resilience is critical to limiting risks...
...but cutting heat-trapping gas emissions is essential.

Action is necessary. But here in the U.S., we're still dealing with climate denialists and the dirty energy lobby's opposition.

Get all the details in our slideshow on national power plant regulations.

The more we hear from climate scientists, the more daunting the situation seems.

This is a serious moment. The fight to avoid climate calamity confronts us with sobering realities. We have a tremendous amount of work to do—and very little time in which to do it.

It won't be easy. But, there is a path forward—and that's important. In fact, just yesterday the EPA submitted its draft carbon pollution rule for existing fossil fuel power plants to the Office of Management and Budget—a critical step in our efforts to solve the climate crisis.

Find out what policies we're fighting for—and what you can do to help put them into practice.

Thank you for all you do,

Heather Shelby
Action Network Coordinator

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BREAKING NEWS: UN Report Punctuates Climate Urgency

2014-03-31T05:00:00.000-06:00

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EDF Member—

Last night, halfway around the world in Yokohama, Japan, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)—the preeminent international climate scientific body—released a new report on the grave threats climate change poses to humans and the natural world.

The stark warning: There isn’t a place on earth that isn’t already feeling the effects of climate change. Even if we slash emissions immediately, societies around the globe will have to take major steps to adapt to warming we’re already seeing. And it will get worse.

The findings underscore the point EDF President Fred Krupp has made: we must focus our work on managing the unavoidable and avoiding the unmanageable.

Over the next few days, we’ll have more to say about this report and what it means in our fight to avoid climate catastrophe.

For now, your donation today to our 2014 Annual Fund is the most important step you can take to support our all-out effort to fight for climate action here in the U.S. and around the world.

This is a race against time. The science underscores the urgency. But, with your support, we are seizing every possible opportunity to make progress. We’re fighting for the first national carbon pollution limits on America’s power plants, engaging cities to pilot cleaner energy solutions, working with China to slash their climate emissions, and reducing deforestation in the Amazon.

These are some of the critical steps we are taking...and we’re making a huge difference. But, we need your support today to keep making progress on these and other important clean energy and climate initiatives.

This is a serious moment and, as today’s IPCC report underscores, time is running out. What we do together in the coming days, weeks and months could make a huge difference in this fight. I hope we can count on your Annual Fund support today to help us respond the growing climate threat.

Thanks for everything you help make possible,

Sam Parry
Director, Membership

Environmental Defense Fund
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SLIDESHOW: Don't lose hope for climate action

2014-03-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

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Some days, the burden of knowing how grave a threat the climate crisis is can seem overwhelming.

You feel the weight of it. Day in and day out, it's easy to get discouraged... to feel that there is no way we can make any difference against the likes of the Koch Brothers, the fossil fuel lobby, and the climate deniers in Congress.

But here's the key point: There's still hope. We are making meaningful progress, and our slideshow proves it.

Don't misunderstand me. The climate crisis is the gravest environmental threat humanity has ever faced. Solving it will not be easy.

Just last week, the American Association for the Advancement of Science—the world's largest general scientific society—released a report on global warming entitled, "What We Know." The 18-pager paints a grim picture.

A quick summary? The climate crisis has arrived—and it's putting our communities at risk. A direct quote?

The evidence is overwhelming: Levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are rising. Temperatures are going up. Springs are arriving earlier. Ice sheets are melting. Sea level is rising. The patterns of rainfall and drought are changing. Heat waves are getting worse, as is extreme precipitation. The oceans are acidifying.

I know—it's ominous.

But, in spite of these dire warnings, this fight is far from over. We have a lot of work to do. We'll need an army to get it all done—and that's why we're lucky we have you.

Find out how far we've come, and what we've got ahead of us.

Thank you for all you do,

Heather Shelby
Action Network Coordinator

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ALL ACTIONS: Stop the Professional Climate Deniers

2014-03-26T07:00:00.000-06:00

Take Action →

Eco Activist—

It's hard to imagine. 97% of climate scientists agree global warming is very likely due to human activities. At least 34 national academies of sciences agree, as do dozens of scientific and public health associations and societies.

And yet, every day, dirty energy lobbyists continue their incessant denials and political assaults to protect their profits by blocking our vital work.

Help stop them: Take every action alert we've got with just one click.

It's not easy for those of us who respect science and appreciate reality to understand where this professional climate skepticism comes from. It's not about science. It can't be—the science is clear. It’s about protecting profits—even if it means hurting communities like yours in the process.

They've tried it before. And we stopped them.

In 1990, as bipartisan support rose for a cap-and-trade plan to harness markets and solve the acid rain disaster, the Koch Brothers poured their money into a front group—the "Concerned Citizens for the Environment"—with the goal of derailing this much-needed solution.

The group—without any citizen membership—produced studies insisting that acid rain was a myth (sound familiar?). They lobbied for deregulation of corporations, insisting that was the true way to protect the environment.

They lost. Our plan to reduce acid rain was put into action, affecting even the Kochs' heavy-emitting refineries and factories. And it was a massive success.

We cut sulfur dioxide emissions in half, at a fraction of the expected costs. By 2000, scientists were documenting decreased sulfates in Adirondack lakes, improved visibility in national parks and widespread benefits to human health. The Economist called it "the greatest green success story of the past decade."

Today, they seem unstoppable. But we've stopped them before. Help us do it again.

Stand up against Congressional attacks on climate action. Take every action alert we've got, all at once.

Thank you for your activism and support,

Heather Shelby
Action Network Coordinator

Environmental Defense Action Fund
1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20009
(800) 684-3322

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My Climate Confession

2014-03-20T05:00:00.000-06:00

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I have a climate confession: Recently, I’ve begun to question whether we can solve the climate crisis.

Deep down in my darkest thoughts, from everything I know, have read, have been told by the scientists at EDF about the growing threat, and from witnessing the unrelenting stream of dopey climate denialism in Washington, I’ve found it increasingly difficult to maintain hope. The fear that we won’t avert climate catastrophe has taken hold. And I shudder at what that will mean.

It’s a terrible and sobering notion, maybe one you’ve shared in recent years.

As a parent of a 9-year old and a 7-year old—two sweet, beautiful children who mean everything to me—I often ask what more can I do? How are we going to fix this problem? And what kind of world am I going to leave to my kids?

Then, about a month ago, in a meeting to discuss EDF’s climate strategy, a colleague of mine presented this graphic:

I had an instant reaction. This chart tells a powerful story. Over the last few years, our work really has made a difference. We have reduced America’s carbon emissions. We have altered the course of history.

For the first time in a long time I began again to feel a sense of hope...to see a path forward.

And, after discussing with the Membership team, this chart has inspired this "Climate Changing" email series we’re launching today. Between now and Earth Day, we’ll share stories and information to help you understand where we are in the fight for climate solutions...where we need to be...and how we can get there, together.

This is a serious moment. The fight to avoid climate calamity confronts us with sobering realities. While we have made progress, we have a tremendous amount of work to do. And very little time in which to do it.

It won’t be easy. But, there is a path forward—and that’s important.

You are making a difference. And I want to extend my personal heartfelt thanks for standing strong with EDF. You are helping change America and the world.

Over the next few weeks, I hope the climate solutions we’ll share will help renew our shared belief that with determination and resolve, we can still solve the climate crisis.

With gratitude and renewed hope,

Sam Parry
Director, Membership

P.S. Do you have a climate confession? Have you also felt doubt in recent years over our chance to solve the climate crisis? If so, I’d love to hear your story.

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A big problem

2014-03-19T05:00:00.000-06:00

Donate Now →

EDF member—

It's hard to believe that America’s dirtiest power plants are allowed to freely belch carbon pollution without any national limits. But this June, we have an opportunity to end the free-to-pollute era.

Will you make a donation to our Climate Action Fund to take on the largest source of carbon pollution in America?

Dirty fossil-fuel-fired power plants are the largest source of carbon pollution in the U.S. And if we’re serious about averting climate catastrophe, it starts with placing national limits on the amount of carbon pollution these power plants can dump into our air.

Last summer, more than 11,000 EDF activists signed a pledge to be a Climate Patriot by demanding national limits on carbon pollution from power plants.

Will you show your climate patriotism by making a donation to support passage of laws that champion strong climate protection?

Before EPA has even had a chance to formally announce their proposed carbon pollution limits for existing power plants, Sen. Inhofe (R-OK), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Sen. Manchin (D-WV) together with Rep. Whitfield (R-KY) have all lined up to preemptively launch legislative attacks over the last two months.

On March 6, we reported in dismay that the so-called "Electricity Security and Affordability Act," H.R. 3826, had passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 229 - 183. This outrageous bill would cripple EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act by creating a giant industry loophole that allows America’s dirtiest power plants to continue dumping unlimited carbon pollution into our air.

Your donation to our Climate Action Fund will fight to keep the bill from passing the Senate, where we can still prevent this dreadful bill from becoming law.

Thank you for fighting with us,

Emily Stevenson
Manager, Online Membership

P.S. Donations to the Climate Action Fund are used exclusively to support or oppose legislation affecting the environment. For this reason, donations to the Climate Action Fund are not tax-deductible—making it more difficult to raise needed funds and making your donation, no matter how small, all the more important. I hope you’ll help us in this critical time by making your contribution today.

Environmental Defense Action Fund
1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20009
(800) 684-3322

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DEADLINE Tonight

2014-03-10T07:34:00.000-06:00

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EDF Member—

We have just a few hours left to reach our critical $100,000 Annual Fund Campaign milestone before midnight, tonight…and we really need your help to push us over the top.

AMOUNT RAISED: $81,755
AMOUNT NEEDED: $18,245
YOUR CONTRIBUTION: pending
DEADLINE: 11:59pm, March 10, 2014

We’re so glad that you joined our online community this year. Will you take the next step by making your first online gift to our 2014 Annual Fund today?

Last week, Sam shared with you our ambitious goals for 2014, including:

Cutting global carbon emissions though our work in China, Vietnam, and India;
Promoting clean, sustainable energy use in the U.S. that will make energy more reliable and more affordable;
Reducing deforestation in the Amazon rainforests by making these precious forests more valuable standing rather than clear-cutting;
Supporting EPA’s proposal to place national limits on pollution from coal-fired power plants.

If you believe these goals are as important as I do, will you make a donation of $25 or more before midnight tonight to stand in support?

As you know, everything we do at EDF is guided by our shared belief that the greatest environmental crises of our time can be solved through human innovation and cooperative partnerships—and that we must act quickly to find and implement real, lasting solutions.

And our most important partner is YOU: every time you take action to make your voice heard, and every time you support our unique projects with a generous donation, you strengthen our cause. Simply put: without your active support, we can’t accomplish much.

That’s why it’s so important for you to make your 2014 Annual Fund contribution today.

I hope you’ll be generous, and I can’t thank you enough for doing your part to help us preserve and protect our only planet.

Thank you for being with us,

Emily Stevenson
Manager, Online Membership

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Together, we're standing strong

2014-03-07T05:15:00.000-07:00

Donate Now→

EDF member—

Talk about worst of times, best of times.

Yesterday, our climate team felt the stinging blow after the House of Representatives voted 229 - 183 to pass the outrageous "Electricity Security and Affordability Act," H.R. 3826, sponsored by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY). We lobbied hard against this dreadful bill and 152,126 EDF activists sent emails to their members of Congress in opposition.

But, you all lifted our spirits with an overwhelming response to our call to help us block this bill in the Senate. More than 500 of you have already donated more than $12,000 to our Climate Action Fund. I can’t tell you how this amazing response has helped rally our team—not to mention how this is giving us the resources we need to block this assault in the Senate.

Will you help keep up the momentum? Please make a donation to our Climate Action Fund today.

Your gift right now can make a huge difference in this fight and will give us the resources we need right now to mobilize grassroots efforts in the Senate, where Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) has already introduced companion legislation (S. 1905).

The stakes couldn’t be higher. This bill would create a giant utility industry loophole in our clean air laws, and would allow virtually unlimited carbon pollution from power plants.

For the first time in American history, we’re on the brink of placing national carbon pollution limits on America’s dirtiest coal-fired power plants—the largest source of carbon pollution in the country. But this bill would smash our progress.

While the EPA works to implement strong climate pollution standards for American power plants, our job is to give them political support to let them do their job. This is a huge fight for cleaner energy and a safer climate future and we need you to help us mobilize.

Please donate now to our Climate Action Fund. Let’s work together to stop this dreadful bill in its tracks.

Thanks for standing with us,

Sam Parry
Director, Membership

P.S. Mark MacLeod from our U.S. Climate and Political Affairs team put it well:

"The repeated attacks on progress by polluters and their allies in Congress can sap our energy and fill us with cynicism. But the support and passion from our amazing members give us the energy we need to keep fighting."

Your donation to our Climate Action Fund today will help Mark and our whole team keep up the fight for a safer climate future. Thank you.

Environmental Defense Action Fund
1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20009
(800) 684-3322

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BREAKING NEWS: Climate Pollution Bill Passes House

2014-03-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

Please Help! Donate Now→

EDF member—

Moments ago, the U.S. House of Representatives, by a vote of 229 - 183, passed the so-called "Electricity Security and Affordability Act," H.R. 3826, sponsored by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY). Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has introduced a companion bill in the Senate S.1905.

This bill would create a giant utility industry loophole in our clean air laws, and would allow virtually unlimited carbon pollution from power plants. For the first time in American history, we’re on the brink of placing national carbon pollution limits on America’s dirtiest coal-fired power plants—the largest source of carbon pollution in the country. But this bill would smash our progress.

The fight now moves to the Senate, where we need to quickly mobilize political opposition. You can make a difference in this fight right now by making an emergency donation to our Climate Action Fund.

The EPA is working to implement strong climate pollution standards for our power plants, and our job is to give them political support to let them do their job. This is a huge fight for cleaner energy and a safer climate future and we need you to help us mobilize.

Please donate now to our Climate Action Fund.

Thank you for all your support,

Sam Parry
Director, Membership

Environmental Defense Action Fund
1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20009
(800) 684-3322

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Forward, not backward

2014-03-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

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Our 2014 Annual Fund Campaign officially kicks off next month. We need to raise $750,000 by Earth Day, April 22 to accomplish our 2014 goals and keep moving forward on climate action.

Will you help us reach our first Annual Fund milestone: to raise $100,000 online by March 10?

Now is the time for forward action to solve the climate crisis. But the climate deniers, funded by the powerful dirty energy industry, are trying to take the wind out of our sails by forcing us to defend every inch of ground we’ve already won.

Please make your 2014 Annual Fund contribution today, so we can keep moving forward, not backward.

This year, the biggest fight is shaping up to be around climate pollution from fossil-fuel-fired power plants. Just a few months ago EPA published their proposed rule to limit carbon pollution from new power plants. These standards are a critical stepping stone to EPA’s proposed rule that will place national limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants—anticipated this June.

Putting national limits on carbon emissions from these plants—the largest source of carbon pollution in America—must be a central part of any effective plan to slash American emissions overall.

The ink had hardly dried on EPA’s new rule before friends of the dirty energy industry in Congress (who received a combined total of $54 million from the fossil fuel industry) sprang into action, calling it a "war on coal" and quickly organizing to defeat it.

Days after the rule was announced, Sen. Inhofe (R-OK) attempted to attach a last-minute amendment to the Senate's must-pass unemployment insurance extension bill that would have stopped the EPA in its tracks.
In the final hours before the vote, more than 25,000 EDF activists took action against the amendment, successfully killing it!
Almost immediately, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced his intent to use the Congressional Review Act to block the EPA's rule, while Rep. Whitfield joined forces with Sen. Manchin to draft legislation that would require EPA to seek Congressional approval for nearly every action they take.

This is a make-or-break moment for the movement to stop climate change. Will you stand with us for forward progress on climate action by supporting our 2014 Annual Fund with a gift of $25 or more today?

It’s been a long, hard fight—and victory is close at hand. With your support, we’re moving our country forward, unleashing our clean energy future, and reducing the risk of climate catastrophe.

Thank you for being with us,

Emily Stevenson
Manager, Online Membership

P.S. Never forget that your advocacy and support makes a difference: Just a few days ago, EPA finalized standards that will drastically slash smog and soot pollution from automobile tailpipes. Cleaner air is coming, and it’s all thanks to you. Please help us raise $100,000 online by March 10 to build on this encouraging progress—make your 2014 Annual Fund contribution today.

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DEADLINE APPROACHING: Stop Keystone XL

2014-03-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Days left to voice your disapproval... Climate Activist—

Help Stop the Keystone XL Pipeline.

It's a big environmental showdown and it's coming to a head. If approved, the Keystone XL Pipeline will transport toxic tar sands oil straight through America’s heartland.

We have until March 7th to voice our opposition—take action today.

The tar sands oil in question produces 17% more greenhouse gas emissions than regular oil over its life cycle—but climate change isn't the only reason this pipeline should be rejected.

If you care about clean air, clean water and clean energy, the Keystone XL pipeline is a bad idea. The pipeline would transport tar sands oil—an exceptionally dirty kind of oil known as diluted bitumen—about 2,000 miles from Canada's boreal forest through America's heartland to refineries in Texas.

The pipeline would cut across the already-stressed Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest aquifers in the world and a critical source of fresh water for more than 2 million Americans and the U.S. High Plains' agricultural industry.

Simply put, the Keystone XL project would endanger wildlife and communities along the route and be a setback to our clean energy and climate future.

Take Action: Voice your opposition to the Keystone Pipeline today.

Secretary of State John Kerry will soon determine whether or not the Keystone Pipeline is in the national interest, and pass his opinion on to the President.

As Bloomberg Businessweek says in its current issue, "The Keystone XL pipeline should be an open-and-shut case from a climate perspective. ... [But] it's difficult, even for a president, to take on Big Oil. Obama can only do so if he is given political cover by a large, insistent, popular movement."

So make sure Secretary Kerry hears from you. Tell him you strongly oppose the Keystone Pipeline by the March 7th comment deadline.

Thank you for your activism and support,

Heather Shelby
Action Network Coordinator

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Environmental Defense Fund
1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 600,
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(800) 684-3322