Climate Change Party Caucus

Starter 33
As of RIGHT NOW, what do you think are the best solutions to address climate change?  Why do you think these would be the most effective AND realistic strategies?
 
Party Caucus
Follow the instructions on the party caucus sheet linked above.  Majority and minority leaders and whips should head up this process!  It should take about 60-90 minutes.
 
Legislation Brainstorm

EPW Members who will be co-authoring legislation (most of you):  Take the rest of class to think about…

1. Who do you want to co-author legislation with (usually someone from your own party, but you could reach across the aisle for a bipartisan effort!)?
2. What types of solutions you want to have in your legislation?
3. What questions do you need to answer/research before you write that legislation?
4. What questions do you have for our experts?

Finance Committee Members, Experts, Lobbyists, Committee Chairs, Committee Ranking Members:  Take a look at the list of potential solutions/actions for climate change.  Try to figure out how your senator would vote on each of these.  If you don’t know what it is, you should probably look it up!  Things to consider…

1. How would this impact their state? (think about what industries are there, what industries are creating jobs in their states)
2. How have they voted in the past on similar legislation?
3. Do they have any quotes about this?  What did they say?
4. When all else fails, what’s their party’s position?

 
Potential Solutions (you may need to look some of these up!)

1. Cap and Trade
2. Investment in public transportation
3. Coal retirement plan
4. Develop nuclear power
5. Increased investment in technological research (what technology?)
6. Tax breaks for renewable energy businesses
7. Tax breaks for individual consumers of energy efficient cars, houses, etc.
8. Carbon capture
9. Net metering (selling power from rooftop solar systems)
10. Carbon tax
11. Geoengineering
12. Mandating use of technology (for example, to fix methane leaks)
13. Subsidizing use of technology (for example, to fix methane leaks, to develop solar/wind power, etc.)
14. Reforestation
15. Other?  WHAT ELSE?

 
HOMEWORK
Finish legislation brainstorm if you didn't finish in class!