US Climate Action Network executive director writes before the elections are called on what lies ahead
While we do not know the results of the United States election yet, THAT’S OK because we want every vote counted correctly. The will of the people must be heard and we will not let Trump steal this election. The will of the people is clear on climate — we are experiencing the impacts of dirty energy economy: the extraction and burning of fossil fuels and other natural resources. The communities that have done the least to contribute to the climate crisis are hit the hardest, precisely because they have been purposefully made vulnerable by racism and imperialism.
We will only accept just and equitable solutions that will transform our society to one that protects our communities, especially those who have been made vulnerable due to racial injustice, or their religion, class, age, gender, place and / or ability. There is a clear process for calling the results of the election. The true election results must be respected, regardless of who wins. Preserving democracy is more important than any individual candidate. Regardless of who sits in the White House and controls Congress next year, the public support for transformative climate policy is overwhelming and on the rise.
By formally exiting the Paris Agreement on climate change on November 4, 2020, the US is the only nation in the world to sit on the sidelines. But we won’t be giving up and we have the will of the people behind us. We know we have a responsibility to rejoin the Agreement and to increase our climate commitment.
Leaders at all other levels of government, and the people they are elected to represent, will continue to move forward on climate action no matter what. A majority of voters strongly support climate action that centers racial justice and economic justice. Our network strongly supports a vision for equitable climate action.
We are not sitting on the sidelines; we will only accept transformative policies to tackle the climate crisis effectively while advancing racial and economic justice for all of us, including workers and frontline communities.
Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.