Climate voters’ moment of truth...
High-profile endorsements, pivotal debate performances, and surprises that no one could have anticipated, let alone prepared for. Through all the ups and downs of this unpredictable election year, one thing remains constant: across the country, there are many close races in swing states and districts that will ultimately be decided by voter turnout. Could the climate vote be the crucial element that decides the country’s political future?
A solid 62% of registered voters prefer candidates who support climate action (Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics & Policy, Spring 2024). Americans recognize global warming is contributing to the environmental problems they face in their communities: extreme heat, droughts, wildfires, air pollution, flooding, power outages, and more.
Pro-climate voters were a decisive factor in the 2020 election, giving Biden a competitive edge, and have the potential to reshape electoral politics at large. That said, far too many pro-climate voters do not consistently turn out and vote. The Environmental Voter Project (EVP), partners of Climate Changemakers, have identified an estimated 13 million environmental voters who did not vote in the 2022 midterms. “Why Isn’t the Climate Movement Voting?” EVP’s founder asked in a recent TED Talk. Again and again, we see reports that climate voters are some of the least likely to show up at the polls.
With competitive races being won by a margin of thousands or even hundreds – see Gore vs. Bush, with 537 votes in FL; Clinton vs. Trump, with 107K votes in WI, MI, and PA (all Climate Changemakers 2024 priority states); and Biden vs. Trump, with 44K votes in GA, AZ, and WI – we must do more to mobilize climate voters in key districts. EVP has a successful track record in turning out low-propensity voters, but they need our help to reach enough of them in time. That’s why all Climate Changemakers phone bank efforts – from now until Election Day – will be EVP Phone Banks!
Right now, the challenge is not only to elect a pro-climate candidate to the White House, but to ensure climate policy has the voices and votes it needs in the Senate, the House of Representatives, state legislatures, and in our counties, cities, and towns. Whether it is defending a one-seat majority in the Senate or taking back the House from climate obstructionists, these races will come down to razor-thin contests in states and districts where the Climate Changemakers’ network is focusing our advocacy efforts.
The stakes could not be higher – democracy is on the ballot and so is climate. With competitive races in a dead heat and climate voters notoriously sitting on the sidelines, serious mobilization of this segment will be uniquely decisive. Now is the time to engage and take meaningful action. Here’s Climate Changemakers’ 2024 strategy for how each of us can help climate to win big. The 2024 Election will be climate voters’ moment of truth.