Background:

CCL Oregon is building advocacy through volunteers who lobby in Washington, DC. Young people represent the future and garner a unique level of attention and engagement from Members of Congress. An opportunity to hone the skills and confidence needed to engage with powerful people about climate action is critical for this generation - a generation facing increasing climate impacts.

How Max, Cian, and John became Climate Advocates:

Max and Cian are seniors at University of Oregon majoring in environmental studies. John is a junior majoring in political science with a minor in Japanese. After spending a term studying in Hawai'i, Max got involved in climate change work after seeing its impacts on the islands. Because of his interest in environmental education, Cian spent his junior year building a curriculum to teach middle school students about climate science and climate justice. In 2022, Max invited Cian to co-found the Citizens' Climate Lobby chapter at University of Oregon. Soon after, John jumped in and was helping organize weekly CCL meetings, creating materials for letter writing campaigns, and tabling at events like the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference.

Max explains, “ Too often, action isn't taken because it is viewed as time consuming, or people don't know how to go about it.”

Cian’s reflects, “ As a Gen Z student and Freshman four years ago I wanted to have opportunities like this. Now that I have the ability, I love making it possible for others.”

As chapter leaders, Max and Cian are motivated by their desire to make it easy for other students to take meaningful, actionable steps.

John’s motivation comes from direct personal experience. He reveals, “My family’s home in California has been on the very periphery of several major forest fires. We have been fortunate enough not to lose the home yet, but each fire season brings several months of anxiety for my family. As the climate continues to change, the risk of major fires will continue to grow, placing my family and countless others in a state of perpetual uncertainty and displacement.”

Max, Cian, and John are thrilled about the prospect of going to D.C. Attending CCL’s Conference and Lobby Day will give them a ‘seat at the table’ in workshops, breakout rooms, and speaker presentations at the conference. This next generation of CCL leaders want to make connections with other passionate advocates and develop relationships with their peers. Max, Cian and John expect their experience in Washington will give them skills and invigorate passion for future lobbying. We have no doubt that this team of CCL volunteers will convey their generation’s urgent call to Congress for climate change policies.