election Archives | Earth Day

Environmentalists Are Discouraged From Voting, It’s Time For That to Change

Hannah Besly — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 15:48:29 +0000

Climate change is the most important humanitarian crisis of our lifetime, so why aren’t we showing up to the polls for it? Every generation, environmental issues have steadily risen to the top priority for young voters. Finally, they have reached a fever pitch with the majority of young people (18-29) ranking climate change in their top 3 voting issues in the last presidential election. However, despite this surge in political interest, environmentalists are routinely abstaining from participating in major elections.

In a recent report from the Environmental Voter Project, over 8 million environmentalists did not vote in the 2020 presidential election. Additionally, over 12 million skipped the 2018 midterms and over 13 million already-registered voters who care deeply about the environment are currently unlikely to vote in the 2022 midterm elections. It’s clear that a massive community of environmentalist American citizens has been discouraged from voting and taking political action to address climate change, and there doesn’t seem to be a clear cause for why. It may be one of the many reasons citizens don’t vote in general, such as having little trust in the government, not feeling represented, or simply not keeping up with politics. But voting is essential, and each one of us nationwide and across the world is a stakeholder in our environment and its well-being.

Climate advocacy organizations like the Environmental Voter Project are now taking on the task of turning these absent environmentalists into super voters, who are voters that choose to consistently participate in federal, state, and local elections. The addition of millions of super voters supporting climate legislation can permanently change the face of environmental issues in this country for the better. You too can get involved.

Are you registered to vote? Voting is one of the most powerful ways you can contribute to civic activism in this country, and learning to vote environmentally is essential to confronting the dangers of climate change. Educating ourselves and other environmentalists on the importance of voting is critical to overcoming the small voter turnout we’ve seen in the past. Vote Earth and add your voice to the conversation, to the global movement, and to the polls this year. Vote for your future and the future of those yet to come.

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5 Things To Tell Your Friends and Family Who Are Reluctant to Vote

Connor Russell — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 16:01:00 +0000

Voting is the most foundational aspect of American democracy. It is one of the few outlets that truly allow any citizen to let their opinions be heard through the officials they elect. However, on all sides of the political spectrum, trust in the process has deteriorated. You may even have reluctant voters amongst your friends and family who are perfectly capable of voting, but actively choose not to vote. To not vote is an injustice to American citizens who are incapable of voting due to voter suppression tactics or other numerous challenges.

Here are five common excuses many people make to not vote on Election Day and how to respond to them. With many candidates this year running on themes of sustainability and environmental issues, making sure as many people get out there and vote will influence the policy decisions made for decades to come.

1. “My district is deep red/blue: my vote won’t matter!”

No matter what congressional district you live in, there are tight races for positions all over the place, especially for local positions. Many of the most influential pro-climate legislation is implemented in local jurisdictions due to environmentalist mobilization.

Direct action is easiest to implement when it is on smaller scales like this, such as funding for green municipal infrastructure or action against plastic pollution within townships. In districts where the House and Senate races are uncontested, the positive influences of small, local choices can gradually shift the mindsets of those running for higher positions.

2. “None of the candidates interest me!”

Even if no one in your district is running on issues you are interested in, the decisions they make can cascade up. Research other candidates running in your area and their stance on climate action. Even if their ideals don’t perfectly align with yours, voting for someone you know can work well with others to enact useful legislation could lead to broader climate action down the road.

The internal dread people feel when voting for a candidate they see as the “lesser of two evils” is understandable: not everyone has your best interests at heart. Regardless, it is good to familiarize yourself with your ballot to see what these candidates’ priorities are.

3. “I’m busy that day, I won’t have time to go to the polls!”

There are plenty of options for people who cannot vote in person on the Tuesday of Election Day. This site from the National Conference of State Legislatures lists all of the options for early in-person voting, with most states starting around 20 days early.

For mail-in absentee ballots, this site provides the deadlines for each state. Most states require ballots to be received within a few days of Election Day, so the sooner you can mail those in, the better.

The deadlines for early voting options vary greatly from state to state, so do your own research on your state and district for specific details.

4. “The system is rigged against me, it’s flawed to its core!”

People on all sides of the political spectrum have their own grievances with the electoral systems in place. To disregard the one major system that allows everyday people to have their voices heard is a disservice to our democracy. Even if you have lost trust in the process, there is no harm in contributing by voting for whomever aligns closest to your values.

Time and again, elections in the United States have been proven safe, secure, and accurate to the wills of the voting population. The physical and digital security of US voting infrastructure is among the highest on the planet. The FBI even states that the only major threat to the integrity of elections is voter suppression from bad actors. Making the choice to vote is the best way to combat this issue.

Only 66.8% of the voting age population of the United States turned out for the 2020 presidential election. With a third of the population unrepresented, your vote can help shrink this disparity.

5. “I’m just one person, I can’t influence anything on my own!”

One vote on its own can hardly shift things, but a shift in the mentality of thousands of like-minded reluctant voters surely can. Your decision to vote can and does influence others to do the same. The lack of action on climate change can be disheartening. However, with higher vote counts from individuals passionate about climate action, the shift in priorities can cascade up and lead to more environmentally-conscious elected officials.

EARTHDAY.ORG’s campaign Vote Earth goes far beyond the process of actually voting. The fight against climate change is just as much a shift in culture as it is a shift in the policies that enable action. Talking to your friends and family about the truths about climate change no matter how challenging that may be is vital to maintaining an informed and motivated voting population. There is no other issue a candidate can run on that is as fundamental to the long-term habitability of our planet. Even though one vote on its own can hardly affect the outcome of an election, thousands of “one votes” can.

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11 actions for the planet during a pandemic

EARTHDAY.ORG — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 17:49:06 +0000

The coronavirus pandemic has upended our lives. Just a week or so ago, individuals in countries around the world were going to bars, seeing movies with friends and, really, just going about business as usual. Now, all that has changed.

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, many health experts and government officials are suggesting, and sometimes mandating, that we practice social distancing to flatten the curve of the outbreak — preventing a surge of infected patients that overwhelm our hospitals. In other words, that means we stay at home and limit nearly all in-person social interactions.

But as we exercise our individual and collective responsibility to reduce viral transmissions to preserve human health, we can still exercise our responsibility to act for environmental health. We can use this solitary time to reassess our current habits and develop new ones that are better for the planet. Below are 11 ways to take action for the planet while social distancing — we hope they’ll stick, even after our global health crisis subsides.

Go plant-based and compost

When you’re stuck in your house, time is your friend. Now is the time to get creative and break those food ruts! Maybe you made a resolution to eat more plants this year, or maybe you just want to boost your immune system with an abundance of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables. Either way, now is the time to get creative with your cooking.

Try some new plant-based recipes — Nonperishable foods, like canned or dry beans and rice, are easy to prepare and nutritious. I always end up making too much and then have leftovers, which makes my next meal easy for me. It’s always important to save leftovers and reduce food waste, and this is an especially good time to be making the most of what you have. If you have any produce that has gone bad and you can’t use, try composting. You can compost in a tupperware and store it in your freezer, under the sink, on a balcony, wherever!

— Sabrina Scull, Food and Environment Campaign Coordinator

Reading over streaming

Reading is good for the mind, the soul and it turns out, the planet: A pastime like reading easily replaces streaming, which emits carbon. So, dust off that massive book you’ve been meaning to read, and get to work. Also, if you’re craving sports amid a sportsless pandemic, why not crack open a biography about your favorite athlete or sports moment? Since libraries are closed, opt for an e-book through your library’s digital platform. Our staff has some recommendations to get you started.

— Brandon Pytel, Communications Manager/Writer

Support a political candidate

It’s election season! Is there a candidate you like or want to see succeed? There is plenty you can do while social distancing. Many campaigns have resources for people who want to volunteer, such as call scripts for reaching out to voters. As an added bonus, people who are stuck at home should be more open to having a discussion with you about the candidate you like. Don’t know who to support? Spend a little time looking at their record on the environment and see if it aligns with what you want for our planet.

— David Ayer, End Plastic Pollution Campaign Manager

When life gives you lemons… make disinfectants

When trying to fight a very contagious virus, cleaning products and disinfectants are our best friends. Whether it might be because your store is out of stock, or because you enjoy natural solutions, you can skip the harsh chemical sprays in favor of safer alternatives. Plus, they’re probably already in your pantry.

I have been making homemade disinfectant solutions, sprays and wipes using hydrogen peroxide and alcohol (just make sure your mix is 70% alcohol, and leave it to dry on its own). White vinegar and vodka are power cleaners, easily cutting through grease and removing mildew, odors, stains and wax buildup. For surfaces that need to be cleaned — but not sterile — lemons can also be used to clean non-porous surfaces. For extra points, reuse existing spray bottles in your home instead of buying new ones!

— Inma Galvez-Shorts, Digital Media Manager

Switch to green power

Did you know you may have a green power option available? Not everyone can put up solar panels or connect to a windmill, but more and more electric utilities are offering green power options, where you can sign up to get some, most or all of your electricity from renewable energy sources. While some utilities may charge a small premium, you likely will find savings in your bill over time. Contact your local electric utility today — it will be worth it.

— Will Callaway, National Campaign Director

Share your stuff, if you can

I am a country kid who has lived in the suburbs for most of my adult life — I still buy like a person with limited or no access to stores during emergencies. I had so many cleaning products that I could afford to share these with my daughter and her family and still have enough for a few months. As for working from home: I’m using up supplies for my home office that have been piling up — a nice side-effect of cleaning out my house without stopping what I normally do.

— Linda Moore, Director of Operations

Take stock, and make stock

Being stuck at home allows us to take stock of what we already have, and what we don’t need more of. You might be surprised to find that those jeans you had crammed in the back of your closet are back in style. Knowing what you already have can prevent you from making impulse or unnecessary purchases in the future, thus reducing your consumer footprint in the long-run.

Also, everyone’s always telling you to “use your vegetable scraps to make stock” — now you finally have the time to do it! Throw all your veggie scraps into a pot, add some dried-up and forgotten herbs you found at the back of your fridge (just me?), add water and let them simmer away for a few hours. Strain and use this stock to make some soul-comforting dishes like ramen, risotto or just plain soup.

— Justine Sullivan, Director of Communications and Digital Media

Volunteer for Earth Day

Our volunteer program will be sending out email updates with the latest digital ways to push for climate action. Since Earth Day is going online for the sake of public health, every message will have ways to take action at home, interact with your community online and be solve the climate crisis.

— Halsey Payne, Coordinator of Volunteers & Interns

Do an eco-friendly activity — no matter your age

We’re all grappling with changes to our daily lives, and these changes affect everyone. I recently repurposed some of our faith toolkits for in-home use, coming up with some resources for ways to engage people of all ages during the coronavirus pandemic. Take a look — I’m sure you’ll find something to renew your spirit:

Ages 4 & Up: Reduce Bird Collisions
Ages 7 & Up: Make a Bee Condo
Ages 10 & Up: Plan an Invasive Species Clean-Up
Ages 12 & Up: Plan A Wildflower Garden
Intergenerational Activity: Watershed Wilma/Wilbur Prayers

— Helen Rose, Faith Outreach Coordinator

Start a garden exchange

Start a neighborhood garden exchange. Post on neighborhood apps like Facebook, Nextdoor or OfferUp. I recently suggested a seed exchange, as well as a repurposed wood (for building raised garden beds) and dirt swaps, with my neighbors — now we’re growing our spring gardens together, but separately. To ensure safe social distancing, exchange seeds, wood and dirt by leaving them in front of homes, or set up times to exchange them in a safe manner.

— Terra Pascarosa, Virginia Campaign Manager

Keep your body moving!

Stir crazy yet? Social distancing doesn’t mean we have to stay indoors all day. Take 20 minutes to get outdoors and take a walk around the block, explore new trails or go for a bike ride. Many of these spaces allow you to connect with others from a safe distance. Spending time in nature, especially among trees, significantly reduces stress and anxiety, improves mood, energy, sleep and boosts the immune system.

— Nicole Turner, Digital Media Assistant

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