How you can contribute to relief efforts on the ground and take action now? ? ? ? Friend ? the freezing temperatures, winter storms, and subsequent grid failures and utility outages in Texas over the last week is a humanitarian disaster fueled by the climate crisis. We hope everyone reading this in Texas, or anywhere affected by the current extreme winter weather, is staying safe right now. Our thoughts are with you and your families and loved ones who might be impacted.

If you're able, we're reaching out to LCV supporters like you today hoping you can do two things to help:

1) Donate to send relief to Texas communities

You've likely seen the news reports: People in Texas have been left without power, heat, or running water for days in record cold temperatures. The crisis is hitting low-income communities of color the hardest: Because of years of under investment and systemic racism, BIPOC communities experienced the earliest utility outages, are more likely to be exposed to pollution as power plants and refineries shut down and restart, and could struggle to pay increased utility bills.

We encourage you to donate to the following relief efforts that are helping communities on the ground in Texas right now with relief and recovery: Donate to Texas Food Banks and Shelters: 100% of your contribution will go to connecting Texans with water, food, shelter and transportation Donate Here ? [link removed] Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services: T.e.j.a.s is dedicated to providing community members with the tools necessary to create sustainable, environmentally healthy communities. Donate Here ? [link removed] Communities of Color United for Racial Justice in Austin: Communities of Color United for Racial Justice in Austin advocates for racial equity and public health. Donate Here ? [link removed] Earthworks ? Permian Gulf Coast Covid Relief Fund: Earthworks and their allies work to address impacts of the oil, gas, and petrochemical buildout from the Permian Basin in west Texas and southeast New Mexico to the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana. Donate Here ? [link removed] Chispa has also signed onto a letter with partners in Texas demanding answers. Read the letter and sign the petition ? [link removed]

2) Take action and tell Texas Governor Greg Abbott to focus on helping his state's residents instead of lying about renewable energy. [link removed]

The extreme weather conditions that caused this tragedy are fueled by the climate crisis. They underscore that without a transformative investment in infrastructure and a just transition to a clean energy economy, our communities ? particularly predominantly Black and Latinx communities ? will continue to be put in danger by an unpredictable, more extreme climate and outdated infrastructure.

When Texans needed to know why this failure happened, they were fed misinformation and lies about wind turbines to protect the interests of Governor Abbott's top donors in the oil and gas industry. Oil and methane gas companies and many elected officials have been spreading misinformation blaming clean energy for the crisis ? which has been debunked by independent analysts, energy experts, and news organizations.

The real culprit is an overreliance on fossil fuels and an underinvestment in a resilient energy system that can hold up to the stresses of a climate changed by fossil fuel emissions.

Can you take action and tell Governor Abbott right now: Stop lying and blaming clean energy for the crisis in Texas, and focus on families who need help? [link removed]

Texas faces a major climate risk. Storms like this won't be once in a lifetime, but will be more and more common if we don't take serious climate action. So thank you for acting ? we'll keep you updated on other ways you can contribute to relief efforts and continue to advocate for a transition to a clean and resilient energy future.

Estefany Carrasco-Gonz?lez
Chispa National Deputy Director
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