No matter how much we love Dr.Seuss’ The Lorax, let’s be clear: don’t be a Lorax. Speaking for the trees is a beautiful and noble thing. But speech without action is meaningless. One way to take action is through voting.
As we gear up for the 2020 election, a sense of urgency has emerged. Everyone from your favorite TV show actor to major corporations, even sports teams are making a plea for all eligible voters to see voting for what it really is: a privilege while also arguably the most non-violent form of protest.
The Green Voter
According to the Pew Center for Research, the share of Americans considering global climate change as a top priority has increased from 38% to 52% over the past four years. Even so, historically, environmentalists haven’t been a consistent voting bloc. With the threat of climate change demanding more legislative action than ever, a few organizations– some old, many new– are determined to change this. Here are some resources to consider this election season:
How to get people to show up
Getting people to vote is no easy task. Because of this, the Environmental Voter Project has directed their efforts towards identifying inactive environmentalists in order to increase voter turnout. As a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the goal is not to endorse candidates or influence the way elections go. Instead, EVP wants the electorate to include more environmentally conscious active voters, effectively pressuring policymakers to prioritize environmental policy. Whether you want to take the pledge to be an environmental voter or join a grassroots movement dedicated to mobilizing more voters, this is a great organization to connect with.
The when and where of elections
Let’s face it. Most Americans, especially younger voters, seem to disappear during non-presidential election cycles. While it can be a lot to keep up with, the immediate and most direct environmental decisions are often led by local decision makers. Activote strategically utilizes the information age to strengthen the democratic process. By providing nonpartisan, factual information, Co-Founder and CEO Victor Allis and his team want to improve turnout in smaller elections while demonstrating the more nuanced approaches to issues today. The app sends reminders about elections, features unbiased information about candidates, and allows you to personalize your policy stances.
Who’s who and what do they do
Here’s how to acquire information about environmental policy and the actors who may (or may not) be shaping future decisions. The highly regarded Ballotpedia contains myriad encyclopedic knowledge about political matters. Typing in “Environmental policy in New York” or any other state will get you started on understanding the finances and legislation of the many issues, like clean air, natural disaster aid, etc.
A major environmental advocacy group, the League of Conservative Voters Scorecard was born out of the desire to hold elected officials accountable in their eco-consciousness and policy. The scorecard, as well as other programs by the group, can serve as an introduction to pursuing a more comprehensive idea of candidates, politicians, and legislation.
Getting ready for the 2020 election
Yes, this election will look different. Yes this election is important. But every election, whether for the President of the United States or for a Board of Education member, should be treated as critical and substantial. These tips on how to be an informed voter will hopefully be considered far beyond this 2020 cycle. After all, securing a better sustainable future will be a fight we cannot limit to one candidate nor one ballot.
Check out NYU Votes for information on registering and voting by mail or in-person this November.