November 2024
Let’s be real: we don’t have the luxury of waiting until 2028. Climate change is here, all up in our faces— rapidly exacerbating the health disparities and racial inequalities that our communities are already suffering.
More than 70% of Americans have expressed concern about climate change yet an estimated 8 million environmental voters didn’t cast their ballots in 2020. The environmental movement has a low voter turnout problem, and we can’t have that! Like Olivia Pope, who did everything to get Fitz elected, we need to be just as determined in our fight for climate justice. While we may have mixed feelings about voting this year, what’s at stake in this election is our future.
Not to be all doom and gloom, but unfortunately, as Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson spells it out in her new book of What If We Get It, we’re pretty f*cked. The earth is the hottest it's ever been with crazy high sea levels, the magnitude and impact of natural disasters are increasing exponentially, hitting communities of color first and worst. There will be no more fish in the ocean, instead replaced with tons of plastic and plastic in every bit of our bodies, too. The list goes on and on.
However, it would be irresponsible to describe the problem without offering solutions. Dr. Ayana provides many in her book, interviewing climate leaders who are working to create more climate rom coms, regenerative fish farming, and, of course advocating for voting. She’s partnered with Environmental Voter Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit that aims to turn nonvoting environmentalists into consistent voters.
By voting, we honor the legacy of those who came before us. Just less than one generation ago, Black Americans fought to outlaw discriminatory voting practices adopted in many Southern states. They faced ridiculous exams to prove their literacy, paid poll taxes, and risked harassment and physical violence just to cast a ballot. Despite the Voting Rights Act getting signed into law in 1965, there have been hundreds of voter suppression bills introduced at the state to federal level in the past decade, echoing the Jim Crow era with Black, Brown, low-income, and disabled communities facing barriers to voting. A big threat to voter rights is Project 2025, which would weaken the Voting Rights Act and Voting Registration Act by stripping away the federal department responsible for enforcing these laws.
So, what’s the deal with Project 2025? Basically, it’s a roadmap for the next conservative president. This 900-page policy blueprint seeks to fundamentally restructure the federal government by pushing an ultra right-wing agenda. As a result, Project 2025 would turn back all the progress we’ve made on climate and environmental justice, putting at risk the millions that the Biden administration promised for important initiatives like Justice40 and IRA (the biggest climate spending law set to curb greenhouse gas emissions by 40%).
What’s on the Table with Project 2025:
Getting rid of the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
No need for national monuments or protections for public land
No requirement for the EPA to set health based air quality standard (like??😭)
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, there’s plenty more proposals that could really hurt our communities and the Earth.
What can I do? Vote! This election isn’t just about choosing a presidential nominee, we’re also voting for our senators, representatives, and on important local bills. Beyond national elections, local elections matter and impact us on a day to day basis. For example, in Georgia, their Public Service Commission determines how much residents pay for their energy bills…we’re the ones who vote for our commissioners.
So, make sure to research your local ballots and bills to make an informed choice! Resources like ballotpedia, Vote Climate PAC and Climate Vote Hub provide sample ballots and list candidates priorities.
As we put on our Olivia Pope hats, let’s remember that like so many challenges, Black and Brown women have always been carrying us forward. Voting is not just a privilege; it’s a powerful way to honor the sacrifices made by those who paved the way for us. This election season, let’s ensure our voices resonate loud and clear—from the local to the national level.
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