Wow! Presidents can do this?

During his speech Tuesday night, President Obama challenged Congress to pass a bill that caps carbon pollution and increases production of renewable energy. It was his strongest call yet for bold climate action, and we have to answer it. In other words: it's game time! However, for those of us in the environmental community, the real work is just about to begin. The only way President Obama will get to sign such a bill is if Congress feels the pressure to act coming from their districts back home. This means we all need to let our representatives know that now is the time to move forward on this issue.

Perhaps the best way to have a real impact on this issue in your community is to join the 1Sky campaign as a Climate Precinct Captain.

Also, if you have a minute, please take one and call your legislator and ask him or her to take a stance in favor of strong climate change legislation. Here’s a tool to look up your representative’s phone number: Legislator look-up.

We need your passion and commitment to bold climate solutions now more than ever.

Butterfield to pen key climate bill

Also, for those of you in the eastern part of the state, NC district 1 is taking center stage on this issue. Representative G.K. Butterfield will play an important role in drafting the legislation and he needs to hear from his constituents that this is an issue of paramount importance. Over the next four weeks all of us here at the Conservation Network and 1Sky will be spending a great deal of time in places like Elizabeth City, Greenville, Wilson, Rocky Mount and Tarboro--and we could really use your help. Again, a great way to help us out is to sign up as a Climate Precinct Captain and get the tools you need to help organizing your friends and neighbors.

While it is very exciting to finally have leadership on this issue at the highest level, we can't sit and wait for change to come to us. We know the opposition is redoubling their efforts to oppose this legislation and we need to make sure we work twice as hard to make sure that we pass the strongest climate bill possible.