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A quick guide to writing

Letters to

the Editor

Why write a letter to the editor?

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• Members of Congress, and their staff, pay attention to local media — especially when it mentions them! �
• LTEs can effectively convey what constituents want. And they can be written and published quickly.�
• More broadly, they can inform the community about climate change and the positive opportunities to slow the impacts.�
• Media coverage on climate can be overwhelming — we can use our letters to outline the solutions.

1. Reference a climate-related story in your local paper, or detail what you’ve experienced in your own community.
2. State what the problem is and how we have the power to change the trajectory.
3. Pivot to the solution — a policy area you want your member of Congress to support — and why it’s effective.
4. Add your call to action — ask your member of Congress to support climate policy and/or ask readers to take action at cclusa.org/action �

Plan to write 150-250 words or the word count requirement set by your newspaper

The LTE formula

What’s your hook?

• Newspapers print LTEs that respond to their printed content or include newsworthy topics of interest to the local community.�
• You could reference articles about climate change, weather extremes or energy issues. Or find a topic close to home and add your own story or observations. �
• The group leader of your local CCL chapter may also be able to connect you with someone who is monitoring the papers and sharing stories to respond to.

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• CCL has a timely LTE topics document which features news hooks and talking points for your locally-focused LTE. You’ll find it on the Media Relations Resources page on CCL Community.

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Things to highlight

• Hope is an essential ingredient: We have solutions, we just need to implement them!�
• Why are climate solutions great for your community? Lay out all positives of a decarbonized future — clean air, better health, good jobs, and a thriving economy. What have you gained already? �
• Mention your member of Congress by name

and urge them to pass climate policy.

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• Remember our nonpartisan, respectful approach —offer encouragement to do the right thing.�

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Know your audience

1. Carbon pollution from fossil fuels stays in the atmosphere, causing the planet to overheat dangerously.
2. There is sound scientific consensus (99%) on this fact.

Many Americans don’t recognize that burning oil, gas, and coal is the main cause of climate change (the leading perceived cause is plastics). According to Potential Energy, two simple foundations are still among the most important messages:

Any questions?

Feel free to raise your hand and we’ll call on you.�Or, type questions in the chat!

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www.citizensclimatelobby.org

You’ve got this! �

Let’s get writing!

Submitting your LTE

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1. Go to cclusa.org/lte �2. Put in your zipcode. �3. Choose newspapers in your area you’d like to submit to.

4. Paste your letter.

@chicabeingme

Adapt your LTE into an email to send to Congress

1. Go to cclusa.org/write�2. Add your address

3. Choose the members of Congress you wish to contact

4. Adapt your LTE into a constituent email

Follow ups to your success

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• Leverage your success on social media! Share the link or a photo on your chapter’s social media as well as your own. Tag your members of Congress. Ask other people to share & retweet it!�
• Go to cclusa.org/write and cut and paste your LTE in the main body of the email to send to your MOC.�
• Log your success in the CCL Action Tracker on community so HQ know about it!

Thank You!

Charlotte Ward, State & Local Media Coordinator�charlotte.ward@citizensclimatelobby.org

Questions? Ask on CCL Community’s Forums: https://community.citizensclimate.org/forums

www.citizensclimatelobby.org