Message from the Chair

March has seen a litany of environmental progress, both globally and in the U.S., but our optimism is also being tested. The new United Nations High Seas Treaty to protect the world's oceans has been universally praised following ten years of negotiations; it places 30% of the seas into protected areas by 2030 to safeguard and recuperate marine nature.  This victory was followed by the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s last report in its AR6 series,  Report 2023, which delivered a final and bleak warning on the climate crisis. Rising greenhouse gas emissions are thrusting the world to the brink of irrevocable damage that only swift and drastic action can avert.

Domestically, we also celebrate milestone wins while grappling with the realities of a global system that rewards carbon extraction. President Biden has established two new national monuments: Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada, and Castner Range National Monument in Texas, protecting over half a million acres of public lands and honoring Tribal Nations and military veterans. The administration has also launched the first-ever Ocean Climate Action Plan to protect ocean health and address the climate crisis. This will include initiating a new National Marine Sanctuary designation to protect all U.S. waters around the Pacific Remote Islands.

The President also approved ConocoPhillips’ $8 billion Willow Project to drill oil in the Alaskan Arctic, disappointingly. The administration did concurrently announce it would expand or strengthen protections across 16 million acres in the Alaskan Arctic, both onshore and in coastal waters, restricting or prohibiting oil and gas drilling in those areas. Environmental activists are still livid.

Increasingly, the administration is falling short of its goal of a 50-52%  emissions reduction by 2030. We urge the President to declare a National Climate Emergency under the National Emergencies Act, which will build on our historic legislation addressing the climate crisis.  A declaration can unlock key statutory powers to further address this crisis by, for example, reinstating the crude oil export ban, investing further in large-scale climate resiliency and mitigation efforts, and expanding renewable energy and transportation.

Please sign our petition to the President and let's press our representatives to take decisive action on behalf of the environment and climate. Your voice matters. Your vote matters.  

Dana Freling,

Chair, DA Environment & Climate Crisis Council

Six states have elections scheduled for 2023:

It’s good practice to register every year to vote, so request your absentee ballot today from Votefromabroad.org! For more information about specific races, check 2023 State Voting Information and 2023 Election Dates.     

First up: Wisconsin!  WI will be choosing a state Supreme Court judge in April, and by electing the liberal progressive, the Court majority will flip from 4-3 "conservative" to 4-3 "liberal." (The position is "nonpartisan," so we are not using Party names.)

April is Earth Month! Please feel free to utilize our resources and take personal or communal action this month (and every month!) to preserve our beautiful planet. If you have any events or programs you are planning locally, please let us know so that we can help you promote them. Write to [email protected] with any details or questions.

Want to make your lifestyle greener?  Boost your knowledge. Check out our Earth Care Toolkit

Democrats Abroad Climate Emergency Priority Page

Join the Global Youth Caucus and the ECCC as we watch this award-winning satire in which two astronomers aim to inform the world about a comet coming to destroy Earth.

We look forward to seeing you at this important film and discussion!

	April 01, 2023 at 2 pm EST/8 pm  CEST RSVP
	April 02, 2023, at 8 pm Tokyo Time/ 1 pm CEST RSVP

Welcome to our April Climate Cafe, where we will discuss how recent developments impact the direction of e-mobility and the pace of development in both the US and EU. Aaron Fishbone, policy director for EU Greenway, will lead the discussion on this germane topic.

April 19, 2023 at 10 am EST/ 4:00 pm CEST RSVP

Powerfuels in the Solar Terawatt Age By Diana Powers

Is the Blue Planet Losing Its Icing? By Garielle Leyden

Check out these news highlights from the last month!

🆘 New IPCC Report: “Further Delay Too Dangerous, Current Climate Plans Inadequate,” Scientists Say

🔥 Scientists deliver ‘final warning’ on climate crisis: act now or it’s too late

🛣 Haaland reverses Trump-era Izembek road decision

💣 Biden Approves ConocoPhillips’ Willow Project to Drill Oil in the Alaskan Arctic

🦬 Biden administration pledges $25 million to bring bison back to tribal lands

💰 Bank’s implosion puts climate tech companies on edge

📌 US offers $550m to tackle pollution in poor neighbourhoods

🌊 Ocean treaty: Historic agreement reached after decade of talks

⚰️ Wildlife species worldwide exposed to ‘forever chemicals,’ survey shows

🐳 Biden Administration Unveils Nation’s First Ocean Climate Action Plan

🌎 Watch our March  2023 Climate Café - African Women Entrepreneurs: Green Energy Innovators

🌎 Watch our February 2023 Climate Café - Preserving the Lungs of the Planet: Brazil's 2nd chance!

🌍 Watch our December Climate Café – Arts and Climate Activism, with special guest Michelle Deatrick

🌍 Watch our November Climate Café - COP27 Round up: Live from Sharm El Sheik with Sam Goodman

🌍 Watch our YOUTH v GOV Voices Webinar

🌍 Watch our October Climate Café – Climate Change and Environment Justice: Doing Right by Africa

🌍 Watch our September Climate Cafe on the Inflation Reduction Act 

🌍 Read the ECCC Statement on the Inflation Reduction Act

🌏 Watch our August Climate Café on Climate and Disabilities

🌍 Watch our July Climate Café on Queer Ecology

🌍 Did you miss our Co₂nsequences: Global Climate Rally in April? You can watch it here.  We had a lot of great speakers and performers.

🌍 Want to make your lifestyle greener?  Boost your knowledge. Check out our Earth Care Toolkit.

Please consider donating to Democrats Abroad Environment & Climate Crisis Council to help with our ongoing efforts to get out the green vote and connect all of you with the policies and people fighting for a more sustainable planet.

Click on the link to become a one time or sustaining donor!

A meaningful way to get out our message is through social media. We need your help extending our essential message by following, liking, and subscribing to our newly established social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. We can’t beat the algorithms without your help.