Climate & Environment
Because of you, CCAG has one of the best track records in Connecticut for fighting and winning on environmental and climate justice issues. Thank you!
Indigenous leaders joined by local activists to urge Travelers Insurance to act to protect the Arctic Refuge
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Press Release Hartford, CT –
On Thursday November 10, 2022, Gwich’in and Indigenous leaders and local activists gathered in downtown Hartford to support efforts to defend the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from drilling. Organizers delivered more than 64,000 petition signatures urging the CEO of Travelers Insurance, Alan Schnitzer, to join other insurance companies across the globe in committing to not underwrite or insure oil and gas exploration in the Arctic Refuge. In a letter delivered to Travelers with the petitions, Gwich’in Steering Committee Executive Director Bernadette Demientieff said: “The Arctic Refuge is known to the Gwich’in people as “Izhik Gwatsan Goodnaii Goodlit”(The Sacred Place Where Life Begins). The Gwich’in culture is intertwined with the Porcupine Caribou Herd, and we have been advocating not just for the caribou but for our lands and ways of life, which are all interconnected.” Since the Arctic Refuge was opened to drilling in the 2017 Tax Act, these groups have been working to convince major banks and insurance companies to make commitments and issue policies that they will not finance or insure drilling in the refuge. The Gwich’in and their allies have met with and convinced six of the largest banks in the United States, the five largest banks in Canada, and 18 other international banks to issue policies against financing drilling in the Arctic Refuge. The event was organized by a coalition led by the Gwich’in Steering Committee including Connecticut-based organizations Sierra Club Connecticut, Connecticut Citizen Action Group and Environment Connecticut. Read the full article here. |
Protect the Arctic Refuge
Join CCAG, Sierra Club Connecticut and Arctic Refuge Defense Campaign partners on November 10 to tell Travelers Insurance: Take a stand and cut ties with the companies drilling in the Arctic!
When projects are too inherently damaging and risky to ecosystems and humankind -- like plans to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge -- no insurance company should be involved.
And when insurance backs out, companies cannot drill.
We've been putting pressure on Travelers all year, with actions at their headquarters, letters, and social media. Now, join us in delivering the thousands of petitions that have been collected to their CEO calling on them not to underwrite oil and gas drilling in the Arctic.
Sign up and receive details here.
We'll hear from speakers working on this campaign, then deliver the petitions. Dress warmly!
QUESTIONS: Helen Humphreys- helendhumphreys@gmail.com
Coalition Partners Include: Gwich'in Steering Committee, Environment America and Environment Connecticut, Seeding Sovereignty, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, The Wilderness Society, First Peoples Worldwide, Insure our Future, Rainforest Action Network, and the Alaska Wilderness League.
When projects are too inherently damaging and risky to ecosystems and humankind -- like plans to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge -- no insurance company should be involved.
And when insurance backs out, companies cannot drill.
We've been putting pressure on Travelers all year, with actions at their headquarters, letters, and social media. Now, join us in delivering the thousands of petitions that have been collected to their CEO calling on them not to underwrite oil and gas drilling in the Arctic.
Sign up and receive details here.
We'll hear from speakers working on this campaign, then deliver the petitions. Dress warmly!
QUESTIONS: Helen Humphreys- helendhumphreys@gmail.com
Coalition Partners Include: Gwich'in Steering Committee, Environment America and Environment Connecticut, Seeding Sovereignty, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, The Wilderness Society, First Peoples Worldwide, Insure our Future, Rainforest Action Network, and the Alaska Wilderness League.
IOF Report Includes Harford and Travelers in Top 30 Fossil Fuel Insurers
The Insure Our Future campaign launched its 6th annual Scorecard on Insurance, Fossil Fuels and the Climate Emergency ranking the top 30 global fossil fuel insurers.
Spoiler alert: CT-based companies, Travelers & The Hartford, did not rank well. Travelers ranked 19 out of 30, and The Hartford fell from 12th place in 2020, to 17th.
Spoiler alert: CT-based companies, Travelers & The Hartford, did not rank well. Travelers ranked 19 out of 30, and The Hartford fell from 12th place in 2020, to 17th.
- The Hartford has a policy to limit coal and tar sands, and has announced a commitment to net zero emissions, but shared no credible plan to get there. The climate emergency demands that the company takes ambitious near-term action, starting with critical steps such as ending support for harmful fossil fuel activities in the Arctic.
- Travelers has a very limited policy on coal and tar sands, and needs to step up urgently on improving its current policies, as well as taking bolder climate action and adopting human rights frameworks like requiring the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent from Indigenous communities impacted by projects.
- View or download your copy of this year's IOF Scorecard here.
Panel Discussion on Protecting the Arctic
Sept. 7th, 6pm. This panel discussion will feature community leaders and advocates working to protect sacred land and spotlight Gwich’in leadership and allies who are working to protect the sacred coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from destructive and unwanted oil and gas development. RSVP
Join us to talk about the issues, stakes, and action to take to stand with the Gwich’in.
This is a free and family friendly event.
Join us to talk about the issues, stakes, and action to take to stand with the Gwich’in.
This is a free and family friendly event.
Week of Travelers Actions
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CCAG and allies have been extremely busy with actions targeting Travelers, calling out its role in climate change with its investments in and insurance of fossil fuel. Click here for a summary video of actions so far! |
- In May, we sent several activists inside Travelers' annual shareholder meeting, while protesting outside. Then in late June...
- Monday we marched alongside the Travelers Gold Tournament with the Hartford Pride Drum Cops and dancers.
- Tuesday, we did a banner drop inside Hartford's convention center during the annual Insurance Capital Summit.
- Wednesday, Sunrise activists and UConn students called out Travelers VP Andy Bessette's troubling ties to fossil fuels at his induction to the UConn Board of Trustees Golf Hall of Fame.
- Sunday we returned to the golf tournament with T-shirts reminding people that Travelers Underwrites Climate Change.
For current actions visit this page often or sign up on our email list. Questions or comments contact Helen Humphreys
Rally For Climate: Travelers Company Annual Shareholder Meeting 5/25/22
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Travelers claims to be a climate leader but it is one of the biggest oil & gas insurers in the world.
Thank you to everyone who joined CCAG, CT Sierra Club, Insure our Future CT Coalition and more at the Travelers annual shareholder meeting on May 25th in Hartford with activists outside and inside the meeting urging the company to stop greenwashing & take real action! |
The results are in!
Learn more about Travelers Current policies here.
#InsureOurFuture
- The first resolution asking Travelers to report on its underwriting and investment emissions passed with 55% of the vote!
- The second resolution proposing to end underwriting of all new fossil fuels unfortunately failed, but received 13% of the vote.
Learn more about Travelers Current policies here.
#InsureOurFuture
Earth Day Climate Strike 4/22/22 |
As the climate crisis accelerates we need to see action at every level of government that is at the scale of the crisis we face, and centers around our state’s most vulnerable communities.
Thank you to everyone who participated on Earth Day! We demanded that Governor Lamont direct the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to immediately stop permitting all new fossil fuel power plants.
We demanded he support the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation as they raise the following climate change concerns about shifts in suitable habitat for culturally significant species due to climate change; Climate change effects on culturally relevant species more broadly; Climate change effects on traditional food sources (Ex. through water chemistry and temperature changes); Climate change effects on traditional reliance and understanding from changing phenology; Climate change effects of higher temperatures on the health of the community, especially for members of the community with greater vulnerability; and mental health effects from ecological and cultural changes associated with climate change.
For more information about this and CCAG's other climate work, contact: Angel Serrano
Thank you to everyone who participated on Earth Day! We demanded that Governor Lamont direct the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to immediately stop permitting all new fossil fuel power plants.
We demanded he support the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation as they raise the following climate change concerns about shifts in suitable habitat for culturally significant species due to climate change; Climate change effects on culturally relevant species more broadly; Climate change effects on traditional food sources (Ex. through water chemistry and temperature changes); Climate change effects on traditional reliance and understanding from changing phenology; Climate change effects of higher temperatures on the health of the community, especially for members of the community with greater vulnerability; and mental health effects from ecological and cultural changes associated with climate change.
For more information about this and CCAG's other climate work, contact: Angel Serrano
CT Climate Justice March
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Thank you to everyone who participated in the CT Climate Justice March on February 8th, 2022.
Climate disruption is disproportionately harming our most vulnerable communities and stealing the future from our youth. Yet, the Connecticut government and corporations are failing us on climate action. Hundreds of us marched in Hartford to amplify the voices of the most vulnerable communities and urge Connecticut to Lead on Climate. The March was led by drummers with stops at Eversource (CT's largest utility), Travelers (the worst insurer for climate in the world), DEEP, and finishing at the State Capitol where the Governor and legislators kicked off the 2022 legislative session. Our legislative demands can be found here. |
Coalitions
CCAG, in partnership with our friends and allies, continue to make important advances in the fight against climate change. Coalitions include:
CT Renews
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Three crises - mass unemployment, climate change, and the coronavirus pandemic - disproportionately harm frontline and vulnerable communities including Black, Indigenous and Communities of Color. We can address these issues most effectively through regional coordination with other New England states. CT Renews, the Connecticut chapter of the Renew New England Alliance, is focused on environmental justice, food justice and ending our dependence on fossil fuels. More than 40 statewide advocacy organizations are actively engaged in CT Renews, with CCAG leading the work on holding community visioning events and organizing legislative meetings and actions. Contact Angel.SerranoCCAG@gmail.com for details. |
Insure Our Future
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The Insure Our Future campaign is a part of an international coalition called “Stop the Money Pipeline” coalition, which is over 200 organizations strong.
Connecticut is a leader on climate action, yet our insurance industry is failing to take the action necessary to avoid climate catastrophe. Instead, the top insurers in our state are investing billions in fossil fuels, and insuring an untold number of fossil fuel projects. Through the Insure Our Future campaign & Stop the Money Pipeline, we are putting public pressure on decision makers at insurance companies to eliminate investments in fossil fuel projects, and instead focus on the movement towards a global transition to a low carbon economy. Together, in Connectictut, we've led actions against Travelers, WR Berkley and The Hartford, which all currently have billion-dollar policies with fossil fuel companies, such as coal and tar sands plants. Because of actions and support of members like yourself, the insurance industry is listening and we are winning on this issue. If you have not already, please sign-up to be a part of our Climate Justice work, either through CT Renews or the Insure Our Future Campaign |
Stop the Money Pipeline
The Stop the Money Pipeline is a coalition, which is over 200 organizations strong and includes CCAG and Insure Our Future.
Together we continue to put public pressure on decision makers at insurance companies to eliminate investments in fossil fuel projects, and instead focus on the movement towards a global transition to a low carbon economy.
If you have not already, please sign-up to be a part of our Climate Justice work, either through CT Renews or the Insure Our Future Campaign
Together we continue to put public pressure on decision makers at insurance companies to eliminate investments in fossil fuel projects, and instead focus on the movement towards a global transition to a low carbon economy.
If you have not already, please sign-up to be a part of our Climate Justice work, either through CT Renews or the Insure Our Future Campaign
The Fun Stuff!
Our Very First Cycle4CT Bike Challenge 2020
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When COVID-19 hit in 2020, we found ourselves without our usual Annual BBQ and other get togethers we rely on to fund momentum and community building.
So we decided to try a virtual Cycle for CT challenge to fight climate change one revolution at a time. It was a fun and beautiful success which continues to this day. Thank you to all Challengers, T-shirt sponsors and supporters! |
Cycle4CT Bike Challenge 2
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Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported the 2021 Cycle4CT ride to fight climate change!
Enjoy the photos sent in from challengers who participated in Connecticut and from as far away as Maine & Omaha. Watch this page for exciting updates & info for the 2022 challenge, scheduled for Oct. 15th & 16th! Together we can save our planet one revolution at a time! |
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CCAG builds and works with strong coalitions of activists and organizations to achieve climate justice. The 2021 Cycle4CT Challenge raised funds to strengthen our organizing capacity in Connecticut - and make significant progress towards a Zero Carbon Future.
Thank you to all of the 2021 Cycle4CT Sponsors! Together we can win on climate change. Join our email list for updates into 2022.
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Connecticut Citizen Action Group, 30 Arbor Street Ste 107, Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 233-2181 - action@ccag.net
(860) 233-2181 - action@ccag.net