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Your Vote, Our Planet: Power Up Climate Impact at the Polls🗳️
Newsflash: Voting is how you can make the most climate impact. This election is extremely critical for the climate movement and every vote counts. The results of this election could help fund more initiatives to decarbonize the planet and help during the green energy transition. Today we focus on local elections because they can truly move the needle, especially matter when pushing for decarbonization. Keep reading to meet a few climate champions running this Fall + how your vote actually matters.
Camryn Kirk
October 23, 2024
— Written by Camryn Kirk
JUST VOTE! 🗳️
80 million eligible voters didn’t vote in the 2020 election. Why you might ask? Many people don’t believe their vote counts, many are uninterested in politics, some don’t exactly know who to vote for so they end up not participating, some don’t like the candidates, and a good chunk of them are not even registered to vote: almost 30%. There’s an overall lack of interest and engagement.
We’re here with some good news: your vote counts, especially for local elections. In ten states (ex: Arizona and Montana), voters elect their state’s electricity regulatory body, which can help approve climate investments and the regulation of utilities. This can have a direct impact on emissions where you live, which can also have a clear impact on your health. State legislators have an outsized impact on decarbonization. City and county officials directly impact transportation and construction-related infrastructure and emissions, and school boards can speed up the adoption of EV buses ☀️🔋⚡️
Meet these Impactful Climate Candidates 👏
Today we’ll be highlighting a few people running with a climate focus in some very impactful places during this election.
🗺️Where? Palm Springs, CA, currently serving as the Mayor.
⚡☀️Special Interests: Holstege has invested in solar energy, more EV charging stations, banning styrofoam, forever chemicals, and plastics. She has also pushed for more open spaces.
🤝Why we care: During her time as mayor, she’s been able to push CA to further its green energy transition. Holstege hasn’t just implemented major milestones in CA, she’s made an effort to create a path forward for future generations to enjoy the climate, through open spaces + her banning of harmful chemicals. As State Rep, Holstege can bring greater climate impact on a state level.
🗺️Where? NY State Assembly District 107- Albany, Washington, Rennselear, and Columbia County
🚰⚡Special Interests: Pierce plans to increase renewable energy projects, natural resource conservation, accessible clean water, and developing clean tech.
🤝Why we care: Pierce has proven her investment and commitment to confronting climate challenges. She has been a lifelong advocate for building a sustainable and resilient community, important traits that will impact state-wide climate action.
🗺️Where? 94th Assembly District in Wisconsin- La Crosse County and Trempealeau County. He has represented the area since 2011.
🚰Special Interests: During his time, Doyle’s been able to hold polluters accountable for PFAS contamination of water resources.
🤝Why we care: Doyle is committed to improving the slides of his residents. This fall, there’s a chance to change the state assembly… Vote, vote, vote! His re-election will be crucial for future legislative sessions.
Helpful Links:
Climate Cabinet- A resource that analyzes local climate and governance data, uncovering the biggest climate opportunities that lie across thousands of local offices
Check your local elections online including deadlines!
What do you want to learn most about this election? Share with your friends + let us know! 💬
👀 Some Good News Stories You Might Have Missed This Week 🗞️📺:
Want to learn more about voting for the 2024 election + climate candidates? Drop a reply and let us know! 💬
In Case You Missed It 👀
SPECIAL EVENT 🎸
Save-the-date: Friday, Oct 25th, 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET. Climate Changemakers is thrilled to announce Adam Met of AJR will be the special guest at next Friday's Hour of Action! RSVP here to mobilize environmental voters together!
Adam is a musician, activist, and founder of Planet Reimagined, a climate justice organization. Don't miss this GOTV event.
Overcoming Dilemmas In the Green Transition
TED Countdown is hosting a day two event (October 29-30th) at the EGG in Brussels, Belgium with over 20 expert speakers gathering to discuss the roadblocks and path forward for the transition to a sustainable economy. To learn more about how to attend the discussions, click here.