Democrats Fight Climate Change
But no one knows they're doing it.
The Inflation Reduction Act—what a dull, nondescript, name. It doesn’t express what a ground-breaking, world-changing piece of environmental legislation it was. It was a major, historic step forward in fighting climate change—and hardly anyone knows about it. Especially young voters.
Based on research conducted by Tufts University, about a third of young (under 30) voters don’t vote because they don’t think it matters.
I’ve spent a bit of time doing voter registration on college campuses, chasing students down with my clipboard and registration forms, and I wish I had a nickel for every kid who shrugged their shoulders and said voting wasn’t worth their time.
Yet the same research shows that climate change is among the top issues that young people care about. Many young people are passionate about the urgency to fight climate change. But it hasn’t been made clear to them that voting is a way—the way—in my opinion the single most effective way—to do that.
“The Inflation Reduction Act is the single largest investment in climate and energy in U.S. history.
“It includes more than 100 programs that will invest about $370 billion in climate action, clean energy jobs, and environmental justice.
“These unprecedented investments will put us on a path to cutting climate pollution by 40% by 2030, while creating over 9 million family-sustaining jobs over the next decade and advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice.”
And that’s not propaganda put out by the White House in an election year. That’s the opinion of the Sierra Club. Every major environmental organization hailed the Inflation Reduction Act with enthusiasm.
Yet most young voters assume that the old folks sitting around in the White House or in Congress are oblivious to climate change.
This Earth Day, we need to spread the word, to get people to think about the fact that the coming election is critical because the future of our planet is on the line. A climate change-denying Trump administration would gut every advance we’ve made. A writer named Antonia Scatton has an excellent article about this—ways we can reframe the conversation so that young, idealistic voters understand that a Democratic White House and a Democratic Congress is the best hope our planet has.
Contact is one of the key elements that contributes to youth voter turnout. Tufts University’s research found that young people who are contacted by campaigns or organizations are almost twice as likely to vote. Multiple contacts and reminders increased their likelihood of voting.
So if there are any young voters in your orbit, in reach of your words, your social media, your influence, let them know that the Inflation Reduction Act was about a lot more than reducing inflation. It was a bold step towards saving their future. The next step is up to them.
Dear Friends,
Are you more than a little worried about the election of 2024 and wondering what to do about it? I hope you’ll continue to check out The Optimistic Activist.
Every week I post some ideas for doing something. How to get out the vote, spread the word, and support progressive candidates. Ideas for simple but effective activism. As easy, as practical, as do-able as I can make them.
Together, I think, we could really make a difference.
“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future.”
--Noam Chomsky