Climate Power and the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) hosted a unique press event this morning allowing reporters the opportunity to hear stories from people across the country and learn how climate change-fueled extreme weather events have hurt their communities. Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06), and Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02) highlighted the urgency of the moment and the need for Congress to unite and take bold action on the climate crisis. And they were joined by constituents who understand that severe weather events like wildfires, extreme heat, hurricanes, and flooding are inescapable and are getting worse. 

Watch the event recording to hear their powerful stories below.

Please let us know if you’d like to connect with any of the speakers:

• Colorado: Zane Kessler, Colorado River District Director of Government Relations, shared that the effects of climate change can be seen in the flooding around the state and that wildfires and subsequent flooding continue to put people’s lives in danger, with many still missing from the floods.  
• Oregon: Mayor Darby Ayers-Flood of Talent, Oregon, discussed the recent record-breaking heat wave around Oregon and how the devastating impact of fires impacting much of the state and the Pacific Northwest cannot be overstated.
• Minnesota: Jothsna Harris of Climate Generation shared her experiences regarding the impact of climate change on the weather and environment in Minnesota.
• Nevada: David Cochran, Reno Fire Chief, expressed that we can tie the longer wildfire seasons with bigger and more intense fires directly to climate change. 
• Connecticut: Curt Johnson of Save the Sound spoke about the impact that climate change is having on the waters of the Long Island Sound, the economic lifeline of much of Connecticut.
• Illinois: Tom Skilling, Meteorologist at WGN-TV, who discussed the “climate weirding” occurring in Chicago and shared that the extreme weather we are seeing around the country is way outside any natural ranges and is cause for alarm.   
• Virginia: La’Veesha Allen Rollins the Women’s Earth Alliance 2020 Accelerator Member & Concerned Citizens of Charles City County Co-Director discussed the impacts climate change is having on the state of Virginia, including sea level rise, severe storms, high water temperatures, salt water infiltration and increased daily temperatures.