How to write a letter to the EPA
Handwritten letters are a powerful tool to persuade decisionmakers. This method of communication displays a thoughtful commitment to the cause that speaks volumes to whoever receives the letter. To write a letter, you will need a paper, pen/pencil and an envelope (optional). Follow these steps with tips on writing your call to action letter and mail it to the EPA!
Step 1:
Write a Letter
- Introduce yourself: effective handwritten letters include an introduction of who you are and why you are writing.
- Be concise: a fun principle to keep in mind is “K.I.S.S.” Keep it Short and Simple. Make your point concise.
- Explain your why: share your personal story on why the issue is important to you and why you care.
- Be respectful: avoid using rude comments and inappropriate language, this could deter the reader from reading any further.
- Call to Action: Ensure that the letter is making a call for action in a specific issue. Utilize the ending part of the letter for a collective call to action.
Step 2: Sign your letter. Sign your name and age in case you are too young to vote.
Step 3: Take a picture of you with your letter and post it using #StepUpEPA and tag at least five friends to write a letter.
Step 4: Send your letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) using the following address:
Environmental Protection Agency Attn: Andrew Wheeler
1101A
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue
N.W. Washington, DC 20460
To learn more, see talking points, and a sample letter, click here.
Support Divestment
A number of major financial institutions invest in fossil fuel extraction which fuels climate change. Do you want YOUR money fueling the climate crisis? If not, take the Get My Money Out PLEDGE (a.k.a Divestment) now and read on below.
LEARN
1. Attend Day 2 of Earth Day Live this Thursday, April 23rd, hosted by the Stop the Money Pipeline Coalition, which will focus on demanding that financial institutions divest from fossil fuels.
2. Join us also this Thursday, April 23rd at 4pm for the local livestream hosted by 350 South Florida to hear about the importance of personal divestment and what local actions you can take.
3. Take your financial carbon footprint inventory to see how much of your money is in the pipeline!
4. Check out the Rainforest Action Network’s Banking on Climate Change Report. To dive deeper read Bill McKibben’s article Money is the Oxygen on which the Fire of Global Warming Burns.
ACT
WRITE
1. Write a letter, email, or tweet these financial institutions to let them know you don’t want your money funding climate change. #StopTheMoneyPipeline #PeopleNotPolluters #EndFossilFinance #DefundFossilFuels
Chase | Liberty Mutual | BlackRock | |
@chase | @libertymutual | @blackrock | |
Example Tweets: | .@Chase is the leading offender of #fossilfuel financing. Stop fueling the #ClimateEmergency, be a leader and show you care by investing in renewables and ceasing financing of #fossilfuels that harm both people and the planet! #StoptheMoneyPipeline #EndFossilFinance #DefundFossilFuels | .@LibertyMutual, stop insuring #fossilfuel expansion! Phase out insuring tar sands, coal, and gas. Insure the future, invest in renewables, and choose People and Planet over Profit! This is a #ClimateEmergency! #StoptheMoneyPipeline #EndFossilFinance #DefundFossilFuels | .@BlackRock has taken a step in the right direction acknowledging its role in the #ClimateEmergency, but must ACT to be a true leader. You must phase out support for dirty energy and shift support to renewables instead! #StoptheMoneyPipeline #EndFossilFinance #DefundFossilFuels |
jamie.dimon@jpmchase.com | David.Long@LibertyMutual.com | laurence.fink@blackrock.com | |
Sample Letter | Here | Here | Here |
Address | Jamie Dimon, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer JP Morgan Chase & Co. 270 Park Avenue New York, N.Y. 10005 | David Long, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer Liberty Mutual Group 175 Berkeley Street Boston, Ma 02116 | Laurence Fink, Chief Executive Officer Black Rock, Inc. Park Avenue Plaza 55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055-0003 |
Phone | 212-270-1111 | 617-357-9500 | 212-810-5300 |
PLEDGE
2. Take the “Get My Money Out PLEDGE” (if you have not already taken it above).
DIVEST
3. If you bank with JP Morgan Chase, consider divesting as soon as possible. Chase is the largest funder of fossil fuel exploration, extraction, and pipeline infrastructure (6.4 billion in 2018). To explore alternative pro-climate financial options, click here.
If you bank with another offender, consider divesting from them as well!
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