The following fact sheet was written by our friends at the Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition. Thank you!
What is House Resolution 12?
The Alaska House is considering a resolution introduced by Anchorage Representative Andy Josephson, House Resolution 12, which would create a Special House Committee focused on Climate Change. This committee would do three important things to help fight for climate action:
Hold hearings to listen to experts and the public on the climate crisis and write up their findings in a report for the legislature;
Have key climate-focused legislation referred to it, such as policies that would reduce our state’s climate pollution or help our communities adapt to climate change impacts;
Serve as an official body for the Alaska legislature to address climate change concerns.
As we face the increasing impacts of the climate emergency and time runs out to meaningfully avert the worst of the crisis, it’s crucial that all our institutions, from governments to businesses, do their part to take climate action – which is why we need to encourage the Alaska House to create this committee and get moving, fast!
What can I do?
As Alaskans, we need to use our voices to encourage the House to create this committee and organize our friends, family, & neighbors to do the same! Here are key steps for you to do that:
Email your legislator & cc the rest of the House, by Friday if possible, to show support for the committee – talking points & emails are listed below in the document!
Individually text or call 3 of your friends (example text message below) asking if they can take a moment to email their Representatives in support of HR 12, and include a link to this document! Once they’ve agreed to do that, ask your 3 friends to spread the word to 3 more of their pals and the advocacy will grow exponentially.
If you’re free on Friday, Jan. 31 at 1pm, testify during public hearing on HR 12 in the House Resources Committee meeting! Use our talking points to shape your testimony. You can attend at your local LIO or call into the hearing toll free at 1-844-586-9085.
Further spread the word by writing a supportive letter to the editor in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner! You can submit your letter by email to letters@newsminer.com
What Talking Points Should I Include?
Even a short message of support will be powerful, and you should send it! If you have more time, adding in these details will really improve the impact of your email or testimony:
Include a bit about yourself, such as where you live and why climate change feels relevant to your own life.
Talk about the climate crisis we’re facing – what is your experience of this and why is it important to our communities?
Worsening wildfires in the summertime threatening our communities & health
Permafrost melt impacting infrastructure, warping home foundations
Climate injustice as Alaska Native culture & communities are impacted
Ecosystem disruption, ex. salmon die-offs impacting food security
Unpredictable winters impacting road safety & winter sports
Coastal erosion forcing rural communities to relocate
This committee would help the House make recommendations for smart legislative action to address climate change. What kind of solutions do you think we need this committee to look into? Here are some examples:
Setting ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals in line with what the science demands:
investing in rapid transition of the energy sector to renewable energy,
leaving fossil fuel reserves un-extracted,
setting strong energy efficiency housing standards,
building a sustainable food system,
transitioning the transportation sector away from fossil fuels & automobiles towards clean energy and public transit where possible, etc.
Ensuring a just transition giving space for all voices to be heard and listened to
incorporating the knowledge of and disproportionate impact faced by Alaska Indigenous Peoples with climate change,
including workers impacted by energy transition,
recognition of differing impacts and adaptation resources between rural and urban areas,, etc.
Increasing climate preparedness as a state:
increasing knowledge and data on expected impacts through research,
creating action plans for climate disasters,
creating procedures for climate refugees,
funding local and state initiatives for preparedness, etc.
Legislative Email Addresses
Find your representative, but be sure to cc all the rest as well! If you’re not sure, just email all of them:
Representative.Ben.Carpenter@akleg.gov; Representative.Matt.Claman@akleg.gov; Representative.Harriet.Drummond@akleg.gov; Representative.David.Eastman@akleg.gov; Representative.Bryce.Edgmon@akleg.gov; Representative.Zack.Fields@akleg.gov; Representative.Neal.Foster@akleg.gov; Representative.Mell.Gillis@akleg.gov; Representative.Sara.Hannan@akleg.gov; Representative.Grier.Hopkins@akleg.gov; Representative.Sharon.Jackson@akleg.gov; Representative.Delana.Johnson@akleg.gov; Representative.Jennifer.Johnston@akleg.gov; Representative.Andy.Josephson@akleg.gov; Representative.Gary.Knopp@akleg.gov; Representative.Chuck.Kopp@akleg.gov; Representative.Jonathan.Kreiss-Tomkins@akleg.gov; Representative.Bart.Lebon@akleg.gov; Representative.Gabrielle.Ledoux@akleg.gov; Representative.John.Lincoln@akleg.gov; Representative.Kelly.Merrick@akleg.gov; Representative.Mark.Neuman@akleg.gov; Representative.Dan.Ortiz@akleg.gov; Representative.Lance.Pruitt@akleg.gov; Representative.Sara.Rasmussen@akleg.gov; Representative.George.Rauscher@akleg.gov; Representative.Laddie.Shaw@akleg.gov; Representative.Ivy.Spohnholz@akleg.gov; Representative.Andi.Story@akleg.gov; Representative.Louise.Stutes@akleg.gov; Representative.Colleen.Sullivan-Leonard@akleg.gov; Representative.Dave.Telarico@akleg.gov; Representative.Geran.Tarr@akleg.gov; Representative.Steve.Thompson@akleg.gov; Representative.Cathy.Tilton@akleg.gov; Representative.Chris.Tuck@akleg.gov; Representative.Sarah.Vance@akleg.gov; Representative.Tammie.Wilson@akleg.gov; Representative.Adam.Wool@akleg.gov; Representative.Tiffany.Zulkosky@akleg.gov;
Sample Text Message
Hi friend! I have an ask of you: could you take a few minutes to help show community support for an Alaska committee focused on climate change?
House Resolution 12 would create a state climate committee to hold hearings on climate change and help write statewide policies to advance climate solutions. It would be really impactful, but it might not happen unless politicians hear that the people of Alaska want it!
Would you be willing to email the Alaska House representatives to show your support? Then, could you pass along this message to 3 of your friends (and ask them to pass it on to 3 of their pals, etc.)? That’s so that we can build the support exponentially!
Here is a link to a document with all the legislators addresses and talking points! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h9kajcN9uARu8AsWxZP8k6WzKZ5_8cH7A56HgE2RQZ0/edit?usp=sharing
