Email Template for Climate Action

Climate change is evident now more than ever. There are constant wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, droughts and the temperature is only rising.

Early this year the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a 41-page report from 234 authors around the world on the current state of climate change. They noted that these weather events are on the rise and will only get worse. And in case you’ve been living under a rock, (or are just privileged enough not to directly feel the impacts of climate change) they also confirmed that every region on earth is affected. Co2 levels are at their highest, and we need to act now.

If you’re a Canadian like myself then you know that our federal election is fast approaching. And climate change is one of the most important issues this time around. There are a lot of issues that need fixing, but they won’t even get addressed if we don’t have a planet to live on. 

But even if you’re not Canadian, I’ve created a simple template you can send to your local congressman, MLA or whatever other word is used for local government in your area! 

One of the biggest ways we can demand change is by actually demanding it. FOr this upcoming election, I will be emailing this template to all 5 parties in the running. (Though I know who I’m voting for already )Whether you know who you’re voting for or not, it’s a good idea to know where each party stands.

And even if you don’t have an upcoming election, it’s still a good idea to hold your local government responsible and ask them what their climate action plan is.

Email template for climate action:

Subject line:

We need action on the climate crisis now

Email body:

Dear ________________ (best practice is to use their name. It probably won’t go directly to them at first but if you use their name you have a better chance of it getting passed along to them)

My name is __________ and I am a resident of ___________ (your town/city/etc).

I am writing to you today on behalf of the planet, as I am greatly concerned that not enough action is being taken to combat the current climate crisis. I use the word crisis because that is what we are facing.

___________ (provinces/States or a specific city/town) is on fire, carbon emissions are rising and the 100 companies are responsible for 71% of these emissions are not being held responsible.

The 2021 IPCC report on climate change states that we are in a code red for humanity. By 2040 we will reach 1.5 degrees of warming and we will need to cut emissions in HALF by 2030 and reach net zero to avoid a complete climate catastrophe.

We are not equipped to handle a climate catastrophe. It will leave us vulnerable, exposed and with a global food supply shortage. 

We have yet to see the ________ party take drastic enough action (if any) to help prevent this. Instead, we expand pipelines putting money into the government’s pocket and subsidize oil and gas companies.

We are creating a mess for the youth that cannot yet vote but will surely be left in the devastating aftermath of our choices today. 

It is way past time to act. You have ignored the planet’s cries for help and so I am reaching out on not only her behalf but on behalf of Canada’s (or your country) youth, marginalized people groups and our country as a whole. Renewable energy is more affordable than ever, and supporting a green economy not only saves our future but ensures jobs and security while we do so.

As the local representative in _________________ (your town/city/etc), I am calling on you to act. Please forward this email to __________ (whoever is at provincial or state-level government) and raise these concerns with the other elected officials in parlament. 

Hoping for a future, 

(Your name)

It takes guts to email your representative, no doubt. But honestly, now is the time to be annoying. We can’t afford not to be. We have to speak up and we have to demand change. Use this template as a stepping stone, edit it as much as you feel necessary but just write. Write, write, write until you hear back. 

All of that to say, go out and demand change. Please share this email template for climate action with your friends and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for daily sustainable living tips.