Thank you, friend.

Today and everyday, all of us at the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) are honored to have dedicated advocates like you as a part of our community. We can't say it enough: None of our work to advance racial justice and equity, protect clean air and water, and fight against climate change would be possible without you.

As we reflect today on what we're thankful for, we want to share with you some of the faces and stories of the amazing people who power our movement. With so many deeply personal understandings of why our earth is worth fighting for, we are grateful to be a part of this LCV community with you. Read some of the stories that have been shared with us about what drives members of this movement in their fights to protect the planet.

Thank you for all that you do.

Adam, Brooke, ChiQuita, Casey, Elizabeth, Eric, Levi, Mike, Jim, Julie, Rachel, Sammi, and Vinnie
LCV Membership Team

By: LCV Member Jose Art Chapa

"For me, clean energy means that future communities will not be torn apart by relocation and cancer. Clean energy means that communities will not have to worry about living near highly pollutive sources. Not only will the elimination of toxic emissions benefit the climate and combat rising temperatures, but it will protect the health of communities like mine all across the nation."

By: LCV Staff Member Kevin O'Brien

"Beyond the sheer beauty of the Appalachian Trail, I was continually struck by two other things. First, this remote section of trail didn't seem quite so remote. Over the course of nine days, I personally encountered no fewer than 110 backpackers in addition to dozens of local summer campers and day hikers. And second, almost everyone I encountered looked just like me."

By: LCV Intern Nia Dorsey

"While my grandmother lives just 20 minutes away from the city's biggest polluter, there are many other communities that are much closer and cannot escape its effects. Many of these communities are majority people of color who are disproportionately affected by the locations of polluting facilities and are at higher risk for health problems simply due to where they live. These polluting facilities are systematically placed in low income communities or communities or color, which creates generational health problems for already marginalized communities. This is what injustice looks like — everyone deserves clean air, no matter where they live."

By: LCV Partner Ovie Mughelli

"I'm hoping that I will be one of the first of many athletes, especially NFL players, who are working to protect our planet. A lot of athletes are passionate about social justice, but don't realize that the communities they are working with are also disproportionately impacted by pollution, climate-change-induced storms, and other environmental injustices."

By: Chispa Organizer Victor Rivera

"Federal funding for critical environmental and public health programs is determined based on the number of people that live in a particular area. Communities like mine that are on the frontlines of pollution and climate change need everyone to be counted in the census so we can have the resources we need to protect our health and environment."

By: LCV Staff Member Aliyah Rich

"Growing up in New Jersey, the current lead-contaminated water crisis in Newark hits very close to home. Newark is where my parents have worked for many years and where a lot of my college friends hail from. It is a historical city filled with rich culture and diverse people. Seeing people I care about being directly affected by lead-contaminated water has motivated me to use my voice to speak up. I have access to a platform where I can share the grave issues plaguing my community — not everyone is afforded this luxury."