We can really make a difference. TODAY. But I need your help. Plus I have some free Reverend Billy DVDs to give away.

I really, really need support from all of you today (and I'm unashamedly bribing you with the offer of free Reverend Billy DVDs). But first I have to give you some background. Just read the bits in bold if you're in hurry.

Next Friday, May 30, Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York's Eight Congressional District has kindly agreed to meet with me in his New York office. As one of his constituents, I intend to ask Representative Nadler to support an effective global warming mitigation policy that is based not on what is politically possible but on what is scientifically necessary.

More specifically, I intend to ask him to:

• Introduce, as soon as possible, a non-binding resolution to the House of Representatives asserting that we need a climate change mitigation policy with a goal of no more than 350 ppm of atmospheric carbon dioxide (read why here). Furthermore, the resolution should say that the United States must collaborate with the international community to achieve an effective successor to the Kyoto Protocol that will achieve the 350 goal or better (depending on how the science progresses).
• Pledge to support the 1sky.org policy platform that also includes creating five million green jobs (through, for example, weatherizing our buildings and manufacturing solar panels and windmills), and placing a moratorium on the building of new coal power plants.
• Pass on to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a letter addressed jointly to her and Representative Nadler, in his position as Assistant Whip, asking them both to push for the introduction of new and the strengthening of currently pending climate change legislation to reflect the crucial 350 goal. This means, at the very least, aiming for an 80% reduction in climate emissions below 1990 levels by 2050 and a 25% reduction by 2020.

Now then, here's how I was hoping you could help. My dream is to present Representative Nadler and Speaker Pelosi with between 350 and 3,500 (10 x 350) emails of support for these policy objectives.

Can you help? All it requires is a cut and paste job (see below).

Fellow bloggers: would you be willing to pass this request onto your readers?

Everyone: would you email this around and get your friends to pitch in?

Two bits of good news:

1. Representative Nadler has been an ardent supporter of environmental issues ranging from the thorough cleanup of the World Trade Center site to securing federal funding for state conservation and wildlife grants. He received a score of 95% for his voting record in the 1st session of the 110th Congress from the League of Conservation Voters.
2. Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping have provided me with five copies of their new DVD, What Would Jesus Buy (watch the trailer here). I'm going to give the DVDs to people who send in their emails of support (the 1st, the 35th, 100th, the 350th and the 1000th).

Here's how to send in your email of support:

Simply cut and paste the below, making sure to substitute in your name, mailing address and email address, and send it to noimpactman+nadler+pelosi@gmail.com (it looks like a weird email address but, don't worry, it will work).

Dear Representative Nadler and Speaker Pelosi--

Thank you for your hard work on behalf of the people of the United States. It is indisputable that the health, happiness and security of the American people depends upon the well-being of our planetary habitat. It is also indisputable that the anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases is causing changes in our habitat that will adversely effect Americans on every level--from our health to our economy.

On May 30, Colin Beavan aka No Impact Man will visit Representative Nadler to express to him support for a number of climate change mitigation policies that are much stronger than those currently passing through Congress. Please consider this a letter of support for the measures Colin Beavan will be advocating.

Specifically, I support Colin Beavan in requesting that Representative Nadler and Speaker Pelosi both, together or separately:

• Introduce, as soon as possible, a non-binding resolution to the House of Representatives asserting that we need a climate change mitigation policy that accords not with what is politically possible but what is scientifically necessary--a goal of no more than 350 ppm of atmospheric carbon dioxide (read why here). Furthermore, this resolution should assert that the United States must collaborate with the international community to achieve an effective successor to the Kyoto Protocol that will achieve the 350 goal or better (depending on how the science progresses).
• Pledge to support the 1sky.org policy platform that also includes creating five million green jobs (through, for example, weatherizing our buildings and manufacturing solar panels and windmills) and placing a moratorium on the building of new coal power plants.
• Push for the introduction of new and the strengthening of currently pending climate change legislation to reflect the crucial 350 goal. This means, at the very least, aiming for an 80% reduction in climate emissions below 1990 levels by 2050 and a 25% reduction by 2020.

Yours sincerely,

<Your Name>
<Your Mailing Address>
<Your Email Address>

Comments

[Tess]

I'd do this in a heartbeat if I was an American citizen, but as a Brit living across the pond I can only applaud this initiative!

[Sasha]

What if you're not American? Does it matter?

[becky]

done, done, done, done. all four voting adults who live here have sent you emails expressing our sincere support for this effort!

[Andy]

Done.
I changed the urgency a tad and the wording of "climate [changing] emissions"
Keep us posted with the outcome of this!

-Andy

[Chris]

One more email sent! This is a great idea.
Thanks, Colin.

[Katy]

Thanks Colin! I just sent you mine, and I am e-mailing this along and posting it on my blog!

[Colin Beavan aka No Impact Man]

Thank you all. The emails are already swarming in but we need more!

Meanwhile, those of you who aren't American citizens, please put "From a world citizen to whom American policy makes a huge difference" in the subject, so that I can deliver them but keep them separate.

All the best,
Colin aka No Impact Man

[H.M.]

Colin,
I sent an e-mail and have also posted this on my blog:
http://hudsonmackenzie.blogspot.com/2008/05/please.html

Hudson

[Jessica]

I just sent an email, and I'll post it on my blog, but I think most of my readers read your blog too. Especially after yesterday.
Keep up the good fight!

[Florence]

Done!!

[Tess]

Done, thanks for the idea for contributing as a non-American.

[dms]

sent an email. Pick up FREE wildflower seeds in Brooklyn on Sat. May 31 See my posting at nygeog.blogspot.com or visit Green Brooklyn blog or map http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=DeKalb+Avenue+and+Washington+Park,+brooklyn,+ny&sll=42.512272,-76.575222&sspn=0.235359,0.468292&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=40.698861,-73.968887&spn=0.03618,0.062485&z=14&iwloc=addr

[Leslie]

Thanks, Colin, for getting out there and taking action.

I'm happy to support you however I can!

[Jen]

Great idea! Thanks!

[Diane Gandee Sorbi]

This is a great idea! Thanks for the work you're doing, and for the opportunity to help.

[Pippi]

I just sent mine -- I'm an American living in Canada (and noted it) so don't be fooled by the address!

Good work, Colin! I hope in this aspect you DO make an impact ;)

[Mike]

sent & sent to friends as well. Good luck!!

[Shay]

I sent mine. Don't forget to let us know how many you wind up receiving!

[arduous]

Colin, do you think it would be helpful for us to send the same email to our congresspeople asking them to co-sponsor the legislation?

[arduous]

I would say something like "Representative Nadler" is being asked by his constituent Colin Beavan to introduce this legislation. As your constituent, I'm asking you to act as a co-sponsor for this important legislation.

[arduous]

Oops. I don't know why I put quotes around Representative Nadler. I don't think that's a fake name.

[Colin Beavan aka No Impact Man]

@Arduous--
Great idea, but I think it would be good to wait. Let me talk to Rep Nadler, and I'll tell him that there are bloggers at the ready to begin campaigns to get their own reps to co-sponsor. Then, we can all move forward together. Sound like a plan?
All the best,
Colin aka No Impact Man

[Colin Beavan aka No Impact Man]

@All you guys--
We're nearly at 350 emails. You guys are the bomb. We're gonna save the planet (well, almost)!

The new goal is 2 x 350 emails and then we'll move to 3x 350 emails and on and on until we get 10 x 350 emails. Tell everyone you can. Let's make it a No Impact challenge.

Thanks so much everyone. Start emailing your friends!

All the best,
Colin aka No Impact Man

[Mollyh]

This is great Colin! Best of luck!

I posted this to my blog at greenerone.wordpress.com and it has been passed around both of my offices (Greener One and Green Wikia). Now if I can only live up to my "What Would Jesus Buy" movie night promise! ;-)

[anne]

Done. I like arduous's idea as well, and will wait for further instruction!