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activism
SSI Members Go To Washington DC (1999)
On June 28, 1999, 52 SSI scientists, representing 24 strategically selected states, visited their respective Senators and Representative's offices to discuss the scientific evidence of climate change and its possible impacts. These congressional visits highlighted a three-day event organized by the Sound Science Initiative. The purpose of the event was two-fold: (1) to educate targeted Senate and House offices about the scientific evidence of climate change; and (2) to provide policy briefings and skills building to a group of SSI scientists from these states so as to further their ability for continued involvement.
On Sunday, June 27, scientists attended a policy briefing and skills workshop designed to familiarize them with the political "atmosphere" of climate-change issues in Washington, D.C. and to hone their skills in dealing most effectively with their legislators and the media. Speakers included Dr. Michael MacCracken from the National Assessment Coordination Office and USGCRP; Mike Rodemeyer from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Alden Meyer, UCS's director of government relations; and Sharon Pickett, UCS media consultant.
On Monday morning participants attended a press conference in front of the Capitol featuring Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) as a speaker. After fielding questions from the media, the scientists then visited congressional offices to speak with senators, representatives, and congressional staff members about the scientific evidence of climate change, its potential impact, and the need to take action. Meetings were held in all 48 Senate offices and in 20 House offices. Briefings were also set up for representatives from New York, California, Oregon, and Washington.
Based on debriefings and follow-up evaluations, it is apparent that the event had an important impact on all participants. The fact that scientists from a Congress member's state or district took time out of their busy schedules to come to D.C. to educate the member and/or staff on the issue of climate change and stress the urgency of action made a distinct and important impression. As an aide to Sen. Snowe (R-ME) remarked, it is important for legitimate scientists to come to Capitol Hill frequently to counter the contrarians. While industry-funded lobbyists and scientists continually bombard the Hill with their message -- to the point that some offices suggest that this is the only message they hear -- these meetings with visiting scientists went a long way towards counteracting the distortions of the contrarians. As one participant explained, "The climate contrarians seemed to be virtually the only people interested in climate issues that Congressional aides were hearing. The UCS event brought mainstream scientists to the attention of [some] Congressional leaders, apparently for the first time."
Although the long-term impact of this event will not be clear for months to come, it is fair to say that the large majority of participants felt they had some positive impact in at least one of their Senate office meetings. One scientist, for example, was asked to help a Senate aide evaluate the scientific materials she receives on this issue. Another pair made unexpected progress with an influential aide to a powerful senator infamous for his hostility to the treaty.
Our preliminary analysis suggests that significant "breakthrough" possibilities exist with at least eight of the visited senators, and perhaps more. The Climate Science Education Day definitely ratcheted up the urgency of this issue in several senate offices. Our belief is that if these key senators come to grips with the scientific community's extreme concern, then these senators will be forced to identify a way out of the gridlock that currently makes progress on this issue so difficult. Many of the scientists are now establishing themselves as a resource to the Senate and House offices, thus ensuring this issue stays on the front burner.
By all accounts, the event was a great success! Many thanks to those who attended the event and to those who supported their colleagues by sending a message to Senate offices prior to the visits. |
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© Union of Concerned Scientists
Page Last Revised: 08/11/05 |
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