What is Columbia Climate Change Coalition?

To connect citizens and other groups on the subject of global warming so we can take action on a personal, local, regional, state, national and international level.

To educate and motivate the general populous, administrators and leaders to promote communication with each other and take affirmative, responsible action on Climate Change

Our Mission Statement

Columbia Climate Change Coalition exists to address the need to take individual and collective action on personal, local, regional, state, national, and international levels to reduce the human contribution to the global climate crisis, to help others understand that we must take significant and quick action now and to facilitate that action, as best we can, through every available means in our power.

We plan to accomplish this in a variety of different ways:

We plan to facilitate communication and interaction ranging from the individual to a broad spectrum of groups on the issue of global warming, in order to assist and enable them to make better decisions every day that will move us toward greater sustainability now.

We plan to continue to form and work with alliances in public and private schools; religious and civic organizations; business, government and various media, to build a cooperative community that will curtail emissions that contribute to global climate change. 

We plan to educate and provide models and tools for as many as possible through these alliances and to help organize and motivate them toward greater sustainability.

We plan to help people to understand that, by addressing the human contribution to global warming, there will be changes in the way we live and interact with the world; that these changes would be wise for good reasons besides global climate change; that there will be numerous benefits reaped in addition to reducing greenhouse gases; that these changes will provide many different opportunities ranging from business to personal and from the individual to the collective; and that these changes will enhance our quality of life in many ways, including but not limited to saving money, improving health, improving social interactions, providing a cleaner environment and sustainable lifestyles.

We plan to act as a clearinghouse and ally for other groups with similar or related goals, as we all work together to address the issue of Global Climate Change, so we can better assist one another in a common goal and become more effective, efficient and productive in our efforts.

Taking Action

What if a bunch of people around the country asked Congress all at once to confront the defining issue of our time, global climate destabilization?

On April 14th, 2007, a historic event occured nationwide when close to 1,400 communities from coast to coast participated in the largest day of action ever in the U.S. on climate change.

The timing is perfect. The new Democratic House has vowed to pass a climate change bill by this summer. But for the bill to have real teeth and withstand the pressure of the Big Oil lobby, all of us must weigh in now with a clear call for bold, long-term solutions.

Science shows that a commitment now to major cuts in our emissions is the only way to get ahead of the climate crisis. It is time to think big and long-term. So send a message to your representatives today: Congress' new bill on global warming must reduce greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050.

The best part is that the petition signatures will be hand-delivered to our representatives' local offices by our partner organization Step It Up 2007, the folks who brought you the rallies last Saturday. By gathering lots of signatures, we can help show that voters want action now on this issue.

The verdict is in—global warming is real and already affecting lives of people around the world. This spring, communities close to the North Pole saw something they haven't seen in 5,000 years of unchanged culture—polar bears and walrus pups drowning in the Arctic sea. With the ice melting, they can't fish anymore and don't even recognize their homeland.1

These communities are the canaries in the coal mine; it won't be long until those effects are felt across our nation, threatening coastal cities and agricultural production. And just yesterday, top retired military officers called for quick action, highlighting the security threat represented by global warming.2

But when people are willing to dream, leaders will follow. After decades of ignoring mounting evidence of our climate crisis, the new Democratic House will have a climate change bill this year—the only question is, will it contain bold solutions or a band-aids? Saturday proved we have the momentum for real change. Now, we just need the political will to go the distance. People from all walks of life took a simple message to their communities: the future for our grandchildren in squarely in their hands. The time is now for our leaders to step up.

Twelve-year old Tiffany Cordero said it best Saturday at a rally in New York City's Battery Park:

"When it comes to global warming, I don't exactly think President Bush is doing such a hot job. A lot of people are thinking just of now. But we won't have a 'now' if we don't focus on the future."3

Congress can secure the future now, by making sure any legislation passed commits to the scientifically proven goals that will turn the tide on climate change. Congress' new bill on global warming must include a long-term and bold commitment: Reduce greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050.

1."Climate Warming is Very Real in Arctic" ABC News, April 15th, 2007
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=3043221

2.Boston Herald, April 15, 2007
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=2512&id=10212-7707327-RfSuRa&t=7

3. "Global Warming Protests Begin Saturday" Forbes, April 14, 2007
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/04/14/ap3613014.html