Council Updates, Calls to Action: Climate Emergency Petition, Public Input, Events Map, More
In this newsletter: Join 45+ Dem Groups & Leaders to Urge Climate Emergency Declaration | Biden-Harris Re-election Launch | GND, Rose Garden & VP’s | POTUS EJ Order | White House EJ Meeting |Climate Events Map | Council Events | IRA Grants |Recommended Watches and Reads |
|
Are you a pragmatist or an idealist about solving the climate crisis? Last week, I was asked that question. I answered: Both.
Transitioning to a renewable, sustainable future is both the most practical and the most ideal path forward. The fact is, we know how to move away from fossil fuel dependence and how to create a vibrant, liveable future. Yet last year, emissions nationally and globally rose again. Every tenth of a degree of warming averted makes a difference. And every thing we do together toward that goal makes a difference. So big gratitude to the Democrats who organized actions and events for Earth Month all over the U.S. and abroad. From organizing meetings to panels, from EV showcases to Earth Month celebrations, from Florida to Washington State: Democratic climate organizers are taking action for our future. |
 |
Gratitude to the local Democratic leaders creating climate action plans. To all the volunteers for this Council. To President Biden for our historic IRA investments. To Vice President Harris for prioritizing climate as she engages with world leaders, youth and Democrats everywhere.
And gratitude to you, for all you do. Michelle DeatrickChair, DNC Council on the Environment and Climate Crisis |
|
JOIN: With 45+ Dem Environmental & Youth Leaders and Organizations, Tell Our Leaders to Declare a National Climate Emergency 
More than 45 Democratic environmental, youth and progressive leaders and organizations have joined our campaign for the declaration of a National Climate Emergency: Read our Statement. |
 |
|
ANNOUNCING: President, Vice President Launch Re-election CampaignPresident Biden and Vice President Harris launched their campaign for re-election in 2024. We will be sharing calls to action and ways to help. And you can act now:
|
|
COUNCIL IN DC: Green New Deal, VP Residence & Rose Garden Events
The Council Applauds the Reintroduction of the Green New Deal and the Introduction of the Green New Deal for Health Chair Deatrick attended the press conference announcement of these pieces of legislation sponsored by Congresspeople Sen. Markey, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Khanna, and more. |
 |
|
Vice President Harris’ Invigorating Earth Day Gathering Was Attended by Several Council Officers Secretary Allison Stephens, Youth Engagement Director Paul Presendieu, and Chair Michelle Deatrick attended at the Naval Observatory, where the Vice President spoke about the importance of the climate movement and organizing. The Vice President also spoke about her travel across the country discussing the climate and environmental justice crises, and her visit to the continent of Africa focusing on climate. |
 |
|
President Biden’s Environmental Justice Action & Rose Garden Event Several Council leaders, with environmental justice champions from across the U.S., attended the signing of an Environmental Justice Order in the Rose Garden. The historic announcement included expanding Justice40 programs, creating the first-ever environmental justice scorecard, taking steps to combat plastic pollution at all stages, and more. The Council team reconnected with leaders who generously advised our work in significant ways: Peggy Shepard of WE ACT and Council Policy Advisor Rev. Michael Malcom of the People’s Justice Council. |
 |
|
ATTEND 5/17 WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING: White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Online Environmental Justice Meeting
The CEQ is holding a public briefing on Wednesday, May 17 at 4pm ET to share recent announcements from the Biden-Harris Administration on the Administration’s whole-of-government commitment to environmental justice. Register and submit questions or comments. |
|
DON’T MISS: Events on the Council’s Action Map for AANHPI Month & More
Democrats care about climate!
|
|
COUNCIL ON THE ROAD: Michigan, YDA, Netroots |
 |
Chair Deatrick keynoted Ann Arbor for Public Power’s Earth Day event. This organization is leading a fight for accessible, affordable, publicly owned renewable energy for all. Upcoming Council Events include presentations at the YDA Convention in June and more. In July, we are holding an important panel discussion, Running on Climate: 2022 Lessons that Can Help Democrats Win in 2024 at Netroots, the largest progressive convention in the U.S. Register in advance for Netroots. |
|
$ SHARE WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT & ELECTEDS: Grant Info We are highlighting some of the many federal funding opportunities coming up. See more here and here. Climate-resilient projects from ports to mass transit: IRA PROTECT Grants The Department of Transportation’s PROTECT Grants fund climate-resilient surface transportation projects — from ports to public transportation — and should include nature-based solutions like native vegetation, bioswales, or shade trees. For tribal, local, territorial and state governments. Applications due Friday, August 18.
Cleaner School Buses: EPA BIL Grants EPA has announced $400 million in grants for cleaner school buses, thanks to the Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Reducing school bus pollution is key to cleaning up our air and protecting children's health. The next informational webinar is Thursday, May 18 at 1pm ET. For updates: sign up. Apply by Tuesday, August 22. |
|
RECOMMENDED: Watches and Reads |
- style