Climate change is without a doubt the existential crisis of our time. Our country has already experienced severe climate change impacts that are shaping the lives of many Americans, those of whom who are economically or socially disadvantaged unfortunately and unjustly often bear the brunt of this crisis. Small farmers in the Midwest have experienced intense flooding that has, quite literally, drowned the crops that they and their families depend on to make a living. 88 Americans were killed in California’s deadly Camp Fire and thousands more lost their homes. Hurricanes like Harvey and Maria have wreaked havoc on those in their path. Climate change impacts everything we love – from coffee to the very existence of the coastal cities millions of us call home. Climate impacts, such as those laid out by the US National Climate Assessment and the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, tell us that events like these will only become more frequent as climate change intensifies. The longer we delay serious climate action in the form of curbing greenhouse gases, the more devastating climate change impacts will become. The sooner we act, the better off ALL of us will be.

We all have a choice to make:

What legacy will we leave behind for future generations? Will we step up and take the action that science says we must take to avoid disastrous climate impacts? Or will we let fear of failure and hopelessness control our decision-making, prompting us to sit back and do little to address the climate crisis?

I, and many young climate activists around the world, believe it is not too late. Science also confirms that it is not too late: We have twelve years to work together to avoid a climate catastrophe. We can solve this problem: 100% Clean is the solution we need.

What is 100% Clean?

100% Clean means getting to net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the entire U.S. economy by 2050, or not emitting any more climate change pollution into the air than we can trap or sequester. In short, by 2050 we must stop adding climate pollution to the atmosphere. This is the most feasible option, and the sooner we get started, the easier it will be to accomplish.

PETITION: Tell YOUR representative: We need 100% Clean.

We have the tools we need to get there, such as a rapidly growing renewable energy sector and carbon capture mechanisms. Carbon capture ranges from natural approaches like conserving forests and protecting intact ecosystems to technologies that allow us to capture carbon before it leaves a smokestack. There is a great opportunity to investment in the renewable sector further, such as by expanding renewable tax credits and by funding research and development. We can also engage farmers in the transition to 100% Clean by providing financial incentives for those who implement carbon capture practices. We have what we need to make 100% Clean a reality.

Therefore, at this point, the decision to commit to 100% Clean is a matter of political will, which we can ALL influence profoundly by organizing, putting pressure on our representatives, and voting for candidates who are committed to a clean energy future. Our elected leaders must do their job of protecting all of us and future generations. Words mean nothing without actions to back them up: We need Congress to support 100% Clean.

Cities and states all around the country have already committed to ambitious 100% Clean goals. And by the way, 6 cities (Aspen, Burlington, Georgetown, Greensburg, Rock port, and Kodiak Island) across the U.S. have already hit their targets – so it CAN be done.

Here is a sample of the over 100 cities, 11 counties, and 7 states from all over the country that have demonstrated climate leadership:

• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Amherst, Massachusetts
• Sarasota, Florida
• Louis, Missouri
• Paul, Minnesota
• West Chester, Pennsylvania
• Traverse City, Michigan
• Spokane, Washington
• Pueblo, Colorado
• Norman, Oklahoma
• Los Angeles, California
• Madison, Wisconsin
• Evanston, Illinois
• Columbia, South Carolina
• Floyd County, Virginia
• Orange County, North Carolina
• Ventura County, California
• Hawaii – Fun Fact: HI was the FIRST U.S. state to commit to 100% renewable electricity by 2045.
• New Mexico
• Washington, D.C.
• Nevada
• Puerto Rico
• California

The time to act on the climate crisis is now: Politicians from both sides of the aisle are finally listening to the public and demonstrating a willingness to go after climate solutions.

But most importantly, YOU have the power to push our leaders to act on climate!

TAKE ACTION: Sign this PETITION to tell your Representative we need 100% Clean.

Together, and only together, we will get to 100% Clean. We can do this.