By Larry Schweiger

For those who might still think that climate change only matters to treehuggers, check out what some courageous leaders from communities on the frontlines of climate impacts said as they are in Washington DC today to ask their Senators to pass a comprehensive energy and climate bill:

"Climate change is a civil rights issue and the most vulnerable people to its dangerous impacts are inner city African-Americans," said Hilary O. Shelton, senior vice president for Advocacy and director of the NAACP DC Bureau. "The time is now to enact comprehensive climate change policies."

"Across the nation, we are already feeling real and growing impacts from climate change," said Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., president and CEO, Hip Hop Caucus. "We need fair and equitable solutions to propel the clean energy economy, reduce pollution and create millions of new jobs."

As I spoke with these leaders and others last night at dinner, what struck me is how well they understand that climate change will affect each one of us and the places and people we love. And today as these courageous leaders share their stories with their leaders in Congress, I hope our Congressional leaders will also be reminded that climate change is going to affect the places and people they love too.

And on another good note for communities today, President Obama announced the largest single energy grid modernization investment in U.S. history.  This will help promote energy-saving choices for consumers.