Democracy in Action: CCL’s 2024 Conference

7/26/2024
Carys Sherrer (Hebron High School)

Last month I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s annual conference in Washington D.C. from June 8-11. Put simply the experience was both personally and professionally rewarding. It only solidified my commitment to environmental advocacy, and I hope to be able to attend next year’s conference. 

For some additional context, Citizens' Climate Lobby, or CCL, is a non-profit climate change organization focused on domestic policies to address the climate crisis. My favorite aspect of the organization is its grassroots and nonpartisan nature which highlights how climate change affects us all. I joined a little over a year ago as a part of the National Youth Action Team and then branched off into the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter and, most recently, the Texas State Action Team. A lot of our work is based on directly engaging with the community and legislators to create real impact, a refreshing approach in the midst of climate doomism.

When the opportunity came up to attend the conference, I knew I had to seize it. Anyone who knows me knows I’m very passionate about the law and public policy. The chance to advocate for environmental policy on Capitol Hill to actual legislators and their staff? Sign me up. As such the last day of the conference, the actual lobby day, was easily my favorite part of the entire experience. 

The day started with an early wake-up call, running around D.C., and organizing all of my resources for the day. Once we were actually in our meetings, it was almost surreal being inside the very offices our members of Congress work from, it was filled with wonderful discourse. While the exact details won’t be shared here, I will sum up the experience and my key takeaway for any and all youth reading this. I was participating in democracy in action. Congressional offices were seeing my face and knew that this mattered to their constituents. There are almost no words to know the impact just knowing you care can have. The people shape the political will of this country. How does that evolve if the people stay hidden and silent? Knowing the information regarding accurate data collection on emissions, energy permitting reform, and more was being shared because I was in the room. It is much more gratifying than scrolling through a news story saying it was and hoping they’re not lying. Next year I hope to attend with even more knowledge and experience under my belt to further amplify the voices advocating for our Earth.

By the end of the day, I walked away feeling accomplished and sore, courtesy of my stilettos and 30,000 steps running around the Hill. However, my main takeaway for other youth is that your voice matters more than you think. In one of the lobby meetings I was in, the staffer was extremely happy to see a young face, so much so that she made mention of it at least 5 times. We don’t realize the impact our presence in these conversations has; don’t be afraid to show up and show out for what you believe in.

I’m extremely grateful to the Third Coast Region and the DFW chapter of CCL for providing a grant that made my attendance at the conference possible. My testimony would not exist without their generosity.