We’re All in this Together
Young Mainers Lobby Congress for Climate
By Thea Dugas and Jasmine Lucas
Melting glaciers in Antarctica. Degrading air quality from wildfires. Records set for highest temperatures. These are all threats facing citizens of the world today.
This news heard daily results in persistent anxiety and angst for the future of the planet. It is increasingly evident that the climate crisis is urgent and underway. This adverse threat will not wait until we feel like addressing the issue. Thus, it is critical for legislators to hear our voices now.
Thirteen young Mainers, worried for our home, our planet, and our future, traveled to Washington, D.C. to engage in the Citizens’ Climate Lobby conference and persuade our Congress to take action on climate change. This life-threatening problem has reached us all. Instead of staying home and continuing to wonder about the weather, we calmed our nerves and made the trip to discuss systemic solutions with our members of Congress.
CCL Lobby Day
Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a volunteer organization lobbying for effective and equitable climate legislation. Every June, they host a motivating in-person conference and a day of lobbying on Capitol Hill. Nearly a thousand people from all over the country attended the conference. We found our days filled with brainy statistics and data, profound presentations, and touching speeches that blew us away and prepared us for lobby day.
On lobby day we walked through the formidable doors of the Senate buildings. Dressed in our most professional attire, we were well equipped with the knowledge obtained over the past days. We were determined to pioneer change and preserve our lives, our communities, and the planet. In the meetings we advocated for carbon fee and dividend legislation, permitting reform, and carbon border adjustment mechanisms.
After the meetings concluded, empowerment and the potential for change jolted through our bodies. As caring citizens and successful lobbyists, we capitalized on the opportunities available to us to advocate for change to preserve the planet. Our mission is to mitigate the harm destroying our planet and to enhance it for our future children and all generations to follow.
Thea Dugas is fourteen years old and a rising freshman at Portland High School who has met with Senator King, Senator Collins, and Representative Pingree.
Jasmine Lucas is a rising sophomore at Baxter Academy who is passionate about climate advocacy and preserving life on earth for all future generations.
