UCC Climate Hope contest winner visits D.C., shares concerns with Congressional representatives

In the wake of extreme weather events, climate change seems like an especially important subject, and it was the topic at front and center in the United Church of Christ Public Policy and Advocacy office in Washington, D.C. last week.

Charlotte L., a 12-year-old member of Glenside United Church of Christ in Glenside, Pennsylvania, visited the UCC’s D.C. office and the halls of Congress on Wednesday, Sept. 25. There she had the chance to speak with her political representatives about the importance of addressing climate change and passing legislation which protects the earth. Charlotte won the second annual Climate Hope art contest in May of this year.

Charlotte said she first became aware of climate change on her first day of fifth grade when it was 98 degrees in September in the Philadelphia area. After learning more about the issue, she not only became concerned about the effects on plants and animals of the world, but also on her fellow students. When she heard about some schools being shut down because of the heat that year, she felt inspired to do something.

She went on to found a school club called “The Green Team,” which hosted Earth Day events and helped raise money to support the purchase of solar panels for the school.

Speaking about her winning design of the Climate Hope postcard she created for this year’s contest, Charlotte said, “My art piece represents the fact that everyone is responsible for helping the Earth and that it’s not just one person’s job to take care of the planet. It’s everyone’s. Everybody’s help is vital for the wellbeing of our future.”

While in D.C., Charlotte met with the offices of her three congressional representatives: Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), and Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA 4th District). Her interaction with Senator Fetterman was especially memorable, as he offered to hang up a copy of her art in his offices.

During her congressional visits, Charlotte was accompanied by Rev. Brooks Berndt, UCC minister for Environmental Justice; Sue Mueller, the Climate Hope Campaign organizer; Abigail Cipparone, domestic policy advocate at the D.C. office; and Justin Henry, program assistant at the D.C. office.

Cipparone said, “Charlotte’s testimony on the climate crisis brought a certain gravity to our conversations with Senate and House offices. I am confident that Senators Fetterman and Casey, as well as Rep. Dean, will think about Charlotte’s story when making future decisions surrounding fossil fuel deployment and emissions regulation.

She continued, “Charlotte is one of many young people in the UCC who are speaking truth to power in the halls of Congress. We hope to welcome even more youth in the days to come, recognizing that young people are the future of this nation.”

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