The next 48 days
Here at Earthrise School, I help people focus on the most powerful actions they can take to address climate change.
For the past few months, I have been focused on the election. Scientists have told us that we have until 2030 to cut emissions by 50% for a fighting chance at keeping warming below 1.5 degrees, and the next administration will serve for almost half of that. A lot was at stake in choosing between an administration that has been rolling back environmental protections and denying climate change, and an administration that ran on the boldest plan ever put forward by a presidential nominee to combat climate change. Well done, America, on choosing the one with the climate plan.
But, it’s not over yet. To pass bold climate action, the Biden-Harris administration needs the Senate, and currently, the Senate is sitting at 48-50 to the Republicans. The remaining two seats will be decided in runoff elections in Georgia on January 5th, 2021. So all eyes are on the peach state.
If Democrats lose one or both of these seats, Republicans maintain a majority in the Senate, and we can expect that they will block most climate action. If Democrats win both of the seats, they will have a working majority in the Senate and with Harris as VP will able to break the 50-50 tie. A Senate majority would enable the Biden administration to move forward on climate legislation.
So, is it possible? Absolutely, Biden carried the state in the presidential election, the first time a Democrat has won since Clinton in 1992. Is it likely? Not without a huge effort and a lot of funding.
The most powerful climate work that you and I can do over the next 48 days is supporting the races in Georgia. Here is how:
Guiding principle:
Follow the leaders on the ground. The only reason that Georgia is in play is that grassroots leaders have been working towards this for years. Stacey Abrams’ organization Fair Fight has registered 800,000 voters in the last two years. They are joined by the New Georgia Project and Black Voters Matter.
What to do:
Donate like you want them to win: To support the organizations already doing this work, and the campaigns, donating is one of the best ways you can help. It might feel counterintuitive for those who want to give their time, but the campaigns and grassroots organizations need resources more than new volunteers. Donate at gasenate.com which will split your donation three ways between the two campaigns and Fair Fight.
Volunteer digitally: Sign up with the Ossoff or Warnock campaigns to volunteer, there are phone banks every day of the week and I expect volunteering opportunities to grow over the next 48 days. Check for volunteer opportunities here.
Volunteer on the ground: If you can take time off at the end of December / early January and travel to Georgia, consider signing up with Seed the Vote who will be doing on the ground canvassing to get out the vote just before the election.
Invite your friends: Donating and volunteering is good, but doing both with five friends is better. Speak to your community about why these races are so important and what the possibility of climate action means to you.