Message from the Director: 2023 ~ A Year Of Records

From Mike Tidwell, Founder & Executive Director, CCAN, 12/20/23

The year 2023 has been a time of historic action and progress fighting climate change. But it’s also been a year of alarming impacts, including the record-shattering global heat that will make this, by far, the warmest year on record. Just reading the headlines can be mentally exhausting. And fighting corporate and political greed isn’t easy.

COP28, the U.N. Climate Change Conference, put a shining spotlight on this paradox. On its first day, the participants announced an agreement for an unprecedented fund aimed at helping vulnerable nations hit by climate emergencies. After that, weeks went by at COP28 while a record number of fossil fuel lobbyists and oil nations did everything they could to not only protect but expand the use of fossil fuels. But they failed.

The COP ended with an historic agreement from more than 200 nations, for the first time, to formally transition away from fossil fuels.

Much more needs to be done to implement and accelerate this international agreement, but your team at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) is staying positive and hopeful. How can we do that? By continuing to build a people-powered movement where we can all take action together!

With your support – signing petitions, calling your elected leaders, showing up at events and protests and hearings, jumping in the Potomac with us in February, or investing in CCAN with a donation – we are making a difference and pushing forward. Thank you.

Here’s a quick look at what our team will be up against in 2024:

in Washington, DC we’re taking on Washington Gas.

In Maryland, fossil fuel companies are trying to scuttle our burgeoning offshore wind industry.

In Virginia, we’re taking on the monopoly utility Dominion Energy which wants to upend state law and build a gas “peaker plant,” spewing toxic pollution one mile from an elementary school.

And nationally, we’re up against fossil fuel giants who are pushing the Biden Administration to approve an unprecedented expansion in liquefied natural gas export terminals.

All of these fights are crucial to keep our planet livable for generations to come. So please consider supporting our work in 2024 with a special end-of-year donation. With your support, we’ll continue taking on the big fights.

You can donate today by clicking the link below or by sending a check to P.O. Box 11138, Takoma Park, MD 20913. Thank you for standing with us. Happy New Year!

Mike Tidwell, Executive Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network & CCAN Action Fund

https://give.chesapeakeclimate.org/page/20450/donate/1