Message from the Chair
Hurricane Helene sowed destruction across Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina last week. Amidst this latest of climate related catastrophes, Climate Week kicked off in NYC. While U.N. staff, city officials, and corporate executives engaged in their usual round of panels and talks, young climate justice activists set to the streets throughout the city in protests demanding bolder action to end the era of fossil fuels. Young climate voters in the upcoming election are not to be underestimated, especially in battleground states. Acknowledging climate anxiety and harnessing the youth vote must be a priority for the Harris-Walz campaign, if Democrats are going to win at the margins.
Last month’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago, with all its palpable energy and optimistic, set the stage for the tense and razor close fight between Trump and Harris. Evening sessions at the DNC were powerful, with star-studded appearances and an exuberant state roll-call that included Democrats Abroad. Caucuses and Councils also held large events during the days at Chicago’s McCormick Center. The DNC’s ECCC organized two afternoons with an extraordinary line up of speakers on Monday and Wednesday that week, with Governors, Senators, and national leaders talking about climate and environmental justice. Check them out!
Mid-September to October is Hispanic Heritage Month, and the ECCC both celebrates the rich culture which is integral to the American journey and also acknowledges the public health and environmental issues they face. Please join Democrats Abroad for its bilingual Sept. 30th program, Vamos con Kamala, in conjunction with the Harris-Walz campaign, as we get out the Hispanic vote.
We must unite now to hold off a GOP onslaught and prospects of a Project 2025, to preserve our planet for future generations: All hands on deck for this final stretch. We are building on a strong foundation which President Biden set with the IRA and other measures, and Kamala Harris can hit the ground running to continue this momentum. Our featured article this month is entitled, Foundations of a Low-Carbon Future: The Case for the IRA and a Harris Administration.
Thank you for reaffirming your commitment to democracy and to climate activism this month, this year, and beyond…by voting, speaking out, volunteering, living a greener life, and supporting us financially. Your voice matters. Your vote matters.
Dana Freling
Chair, DA Environment & Climate Crisis Council
Climate Voters…ballots are already going out, for those who have registered. But it is NOT too late. You can still register and request your ballot now, but don’t wait! The most consequential election cycle of our lifetimes is upon on, and we need your help, not only to continue addressing the climate crisis, but to protect women's reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and preserve democracy itself. The GOP have told us what they are planning with Project 2025…let’s believe them and fight back! Please register now (and tell your friends!) at VoteFromAbroad. If you are having issues or just need some guidance VFA offers one on one assistance via zoom every Saturday, Sunday, Thursday and other scheduled times. Check out the times or schedule an individual appointment here!
If you would like to help get out the vote this year, please get certified through our voter assistance training. If you have questions about your specific state elections or would like to join more localized efforts, check out our state teams. We also welcome phonebankers for Democrats Abroad the rest of this election cycle. Volunteer and get trained here!
Foundations of a Low-Carbon Future: The Case for the IRA and a Harris Administration |
Media articles:
🌴 The Climate Movement Rushes to Embrace Kamala Harris
🌟 The Walz way: Why climate hawks see Minnesota as a model
😇 Kamala Harris’ Favorability Is Sky High Among Young Voters in Battleground States
🍑 Georgia voters could make or break their state’s clean energy jobs boom
⚖️ Harris offered a ‘blueprint’ for environmental justice. Can she grow it?
📣 Climate Advocates Rally Behind Walz as Harris’ VP Pick
🔫 What would a Harris presidency mean for the plastics crisis?
🌈 Race for Washington public lands commissioner could make history
🗽 Kamala Harris’s Environmental and Climate Record, in Her Own Words
🏆 Goodbye to the first climate president
🆘 How a Republican election sweep could transform U.S. climate policy
Video clips:
💪 Jane Fonda on Electing Kamala Harris & Tim Walz and Getting Arrested for Climate Activism
⌛️ How Close Is the Climate to a Tipping Point?
🏆 Tom Steyer on Winning the Climate War
Volunteer with the ECCC – Contact us at eccc@democratsabroad if you’d like to get more involved. Join our working groups, the Watchdogs Research Group, the Legislative Tracking Group, or to help out with a variety of tasks including social media and communications.
Phonebank with the DNC's ECCC:
Tune in:
President Biden’s American Climate Corps
- Summary: American Climate Corps members will gain the skills necessary to access good-paying jobs that are aligned with high-quality employment opportunities after they complete their paid training or service program.
- Link: https://climatecorps.gov
- Deadline: Varies based on position
Write your representative-
Guide to the IRA – This Guide Can Help You Save Money and Fight Climate Change
Guide to the IRA’s Investments in Indian Country; tax incentives and funding programs: Inflation Reduction Act Tribal Guidebook
Guide to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Guidebook
Energy Cost Resources to lower your energy costs, make your home safer and more comfortable, and help the planet: Energy Savings Hub | Department of Energy
President Biden’s ‘America the Beautiful’ Program – Conservation.gov
Biden-Harris Vision for a Climate Resilient Nation -guide for climate resilience investments and activities by the federal government and its partners: National Climate Resilience Framework
🌎 Watch our July Climate Café – Climate Implications of Project 2025
🌎 Watch our Earth month panel with the GYC with US climate youth leaders – Youth Perspectives on the Climate Crisis
🌎 Watch our February Climate Café – Considering the Urban Tree: Growing the Life Between the Buildings
🌎 Watch our December Climate Café – COP28 Roundup with Democrats Abroad
🌎 Watch our November webinar, The Road to COP28: Why Electing Democrats in 2024 is Key to the Global Climate Agenda with Senator Ed Markey and Michelle Deatrick, the Chair of the DNC's Climate Crisis Council
🌎 Watch our September Climate Café – Can the Private Sector Help Biodiversity Conservation
🌎 Watch our July Climate Café – The Rise of Cell-cultured Meat
🌎 Watch our May Climate Café – The U.S. and China and the Race to NET ZERO
🌍 Watch our ECCC Earth Day Video 2023
🌎 Watch our April Climate Café – The U.S. and E.U.: Race to Electric Vehicles
🌎 Watch our March Climate Café – African Women Entrepreneurs: Green Energy Innovators
🌍 Watch our February 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
🌍 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.