Climate change and politics, whether we like it or not, are intertwined. Basic science has become politicized, slowing the environmental legislation we desperately need to regulate polluting entities and accelerate the clean energy revolution. These battles can seem larger than life, but every individual has a role to play in engaging with the environmental and political landscape. In order to be truly conscientious in regards to our physical environment, we must first understand our political environment.
Many political leaders rely on the general public’s lack of political engagement in order to stay in power. If more people make clear that their vote will go to the leader that prioritizes our planet, leaders will have more incentive to pass climate legislation instead of only listening to the corporate lobbyists knocking on their doors. It is absolutely imperative that everyone that cares about climate change makes that stance known to their elected officials, as often as they can.
Corporations also have historically relied on a lack of environmental accountability driven by customer complacency. For example, many large companies, while they might publicly state that climate change is a problem, undermine critical policies to achieve commitments to our environment. It is up to us to call out companies that do this and refuse their business when possible, since these companies have a big influence on what our lawmakers pass.
It is beyond important to support pieces of legislation that aid the environment. An important example of this is the Bring Back Better Act. While currently being revised and discussed, the Bring Back Better Act is Biden’s plan to meet our country’s climate goals. It proposed to invest in national forest management, safe drinking water, energy efficiency, weatherization projects, electric vehicles, health programs to address pollution-related ailments, wildfire prevention, drought relief, conservation efforts, climate change research, transit services, and clean energy projects in low-income communities. It also proposed establishing a methane fee for certain petroleum and natural gas facilities.
This act unfortunately was met by much criticism. Nearly every Republican senator, and a handful of Democrats, blocked the bill from passing in its full state, misleading the public to believe that funding the Act would come out of their pockets. However, the Act would in fact be paid for by reversing the Trump Administration’s rebate rule as well as increasing taxes for the largest corporations and individuals that make over $400,000 per year. Despite this, in November of 2021, the House motioned to reconsider the bill. As a result, it seems as though the bill will be split up. Democrats are hoping to pass some sort of climate bill as soon as possible. Hopefully, the Build Back Better Act’s main environmental provisions will remain intact in some other form.
What can you do? Here’s a list of ways that you can help!
Call elected officials’ offices to weigh in on the Build Back Better Act! Even if you already know your representatives adamantly support or reject climate legislation, it’s still essential to make your voice heard by calling the Capitol operator at (202)-224-3121.
Encourage fellow citizens to do the same! Have conversations and post on social media, encouraging friends and family to channel any eco-anxiety they have into political activism.
Support organizations that advocate for climate policies, such as Earthjustice and the NRDC.
Join a climate activist group such as the Sunrise Movement.
Get involved with organizations preserving our democracy, such as the ACLU. Hundreds of laws have been enacted around the country making it harder to vote. Less voting means less power for individuals and more power for corporate interests.
Policy is our best bet at creating the drastic change to our energy system that we need. Change IS possible; the cap and trade system we operate in would not have been created without constituents making it clear that they wanted cleaner air, better jobs, and a more equitable and safe future for their children. Harness the power of collective action today!