Dear Friend,
As executive director of Courage California, I go to a lot of meetings and
panel discussions. I’m rarely surprised. But the opening line of a recent
panel on climate change shook me.
The speaker said, “Welcome to the coolest summer you’ll ever enjoy again.”
It’s been a miserable summer. Southern California experienced one of its
longest ever stretches of triple-digit days in July.(1) An awful wildfire
season is expected.(2) July 2023 is the hottest July ever recorded -- just
as July 2022 was, and July 2021 before it.(3)
So, yes, as hard as it is to imagine, 2024 will be worse, and every year
thereafter. We are in the midst of a climate emergency, and it’s time our
legislators and corporate America act like it. You can help make that
happen -- we will get to how in a moment.
[ [link removed] ]Climate MUST be a top issue in the upcoming elections. Will you help us
ensure that candidates don’t ignore the earth?
It’s been nearly eight years since the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions
worldwide was established, and nearly seven since the United States pulled
out of it. In the time since, we’ve actually increased global-warming
emissions.(4)
We just aren’t converting to renewable energy fast enough, we aren’t
getting off plastics fast enough, we aren’t reducing our carbon footprint
fast enough. Or, at all, really. And without these changes, we will
continue to see terrible hurricane seasons, floods, wildfires, and rising
sea levels until life is just not sustainable.
The one glimmer of hope is that voters are finally starting to agree, and
in record numbers.
Our sister organization, Courage California Institute, conducted a poll of
California voters in conjunction with a coalition of advocates to see how
we really feel about climate change when it comes to our jobs and the
economy, since we typically list those as our most important concerns.
The results were startling.
Nearly 3 of 4 voters said that they don’t want new job creation that
compromises the health of their families, including with climate change.
More than 80% of voters of color are seeing damaging effects of climate
change in their own lives, including health hazards like asthma and
pollution. Seven of 10 women and voters of color think the state needs to
shift its focus to renewable energy. And more than a third of us think we
can convince our legislators to act -- so let’s do it.
[ [link removed] ]DONATE
In this day and age, 70% of voters agreeing on anything is remarkable.
Those are election-winning numbers.
And you know what else many of the voters agree on? California is not
doing enough right now to address climate change. Voters want more
punishment for polluting corporations, better tax breaks and investments
for green technologies, and improved protections for our drinking water.
Friend, you can help Courage California turn these poll numbers
into electing champions for the environment at the ballot box. In the next
18 months, we will be electing everyone from municipal supervisors to
president of the United States, and our very lives depend on making
climate one of the top issues of the campaigns.
Courage California is putting these poll numbers in the hands of media
outlets and politicians so they know where voters stand. We’re planning
some of our biggest advertising campaigns in our history, especially in
swing districts. And if we can raise enough, we will hire on-the-ground
organizers to let voters know that they’re not alone in prioritizing
climate change and the health of their families.
[ [link removed] ]We can put the environment at the center of California politics, where
it needs to be -- but only with your help. Will you donate?
–Irene, along with Angela, Annie, Isidra, Jen, and Lindsay (the Courage
team)
PS: Courage California is fighting for equity and justice across the state
and country. [ [link removed] ]Will you become a monthly donor and help sustain our work?
Donations go to support all of Courage California's work for a more
progressive California and country. Follow us now on [ [link removed] ]Facebook or
[ [link removed] ]Twitter!
Footnotes:
1.
[link removed]
2.
[link removed]
3.
[link removed]
4.
[link removed]
*****************************************************************
Courage California (formerly Courage Campaign) makes sure our democracy works for ALL of us by fighting corruption in California politics. We believe the solution lies in exposing and solving systemic problems through strategic organizing, enhancing coordination between progressive organizations, and mobilizing civic engagement from our communities, particularly voters of color, young voters, and self-identified progressives.
[link removed]
?t=1003
You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time:
[link removed]
