Santa Monica resident Laura Matthews is heading to Washington, D.C. to ask Congress to take effective steps to stop climate change.
Matthews will first attend the Citizens Climate Lobby 2012 International Conference in Washington, D.C. from July 22–24 to hear from many expert speakers, including renowned global economist Jeffrey Sachs.
Matthews is a volunteer with Citizens Climate Lobby, which is asking Congress to enact legislation that will place a revenue-neutral fee on carbon-based fuels, thereby accelerating the shift to clean energy and energy efficiency.
Volunteers coming to Washington will meet with 300 congressional offices, including Representative Henry Waxman’s staff, to press for a bi-partisan bill.
Recent flooding in Minnesota and Florida and wildfires in Colorado and other states underscore the urgency to reduce levels of greenhouse gases before the global warming process spirals out of control.
Matthews hopes to form a group of concerned citizens in Santa Monica upon her return.
“These disasters are all part of the hidden cost of burning fossil fuels,” Matthews said. “If those costs are reflected in the price of coal, oil and gas, we can end our addiction to carbon-based energy and preserve a livable world for future generations. That’s the message we’re taking to Washington.”
If you’d like to get involved, please contact her at CCL-Laura@Laura-Matthews.com.
