Climate change did not take center stage in this week’s presidential election. It didn’t even look like we were in the wings or a theater. Instead, the United States elected candidates with a history of rolling back environmental protections and who openly spoke of their desire to “do the following.”drill, baby, drillTo increase fossil fuels.
However, several ballot initiatives showed that voters in many places are interested in strengthening climate resilience and conservation. Justin Barik, senior director of state programs for the advocacy group Evergreen Action, said there is “nothing beyond the surface” of the presidential election or the outcome of the Republican takeover of the Senate. But “when push comes to shove, there are voters across the country who care about environmental protection and pollution cleanup, especially when expressed in concrete terms.”
In Minnesota, for example, voters overwhelmingly approved the measure. constitutional amendment Provides for continued allocation of at least 40 percent of state lottery revenues to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund through 2050. Since its founding in 1988, the foundation has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into more than 1,700 projects across the state, including local parks, park maintenance, and more. Superior Hiking Trail along Lake Superior, Wolf Conservation Center in Ely, Minnesota.
Chris Larson, CEO of the nonprofit organization Minnesota Land, said the foundation will help “from collecting the data we all use in our work, to directing projects in the field, to helping many in the clean energy sector.” “We have supported everything,” he said. trust. He specifically mentioned the University of Minnesota and related institutions’ contributions to research on how climate change is affecting lake water quality and bird and plant populations.
This amendment also: New Community Grants Program Support environmental education and “help negatively affected communities address environmental degradation and related health concerns.”
“It shows that protecting the outdoors is really important, at least in Minnesota,” said Liz Dearing, communications director for the nonprofit Conservation Minnesota.
Similar initiatives to fund conservation and climate resilience were passed in California, Colorado, Louisiana, and Rhode Island. Mr. Balik said environmental efforts were successful because they communicated the tangible benefits of environmental work. “What does this mean for the air you breathe? How can we make energy more affordable? How can our communities be safer?”
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In California, Proposal 4 It authorized the government to borrow $10 billion for a number of environmental projects, including alleviating the state’s megadrought. This is the worst situation in the past 1,200 years. More likely caused by anthropogenic climate change. The money will also fund efforts to prevent wildfires and protect coastal areas from rising sea levels. a Proposal in Colorado It authorized the use of tax revenue from sports betting, which has been legal in the state since 2020, for water conservation and management projects.
Approved by Rhode Islanders $53 million in government borrowing Projects related to flood prevention, coastal habitat restoration, and improving forest health are eligible. And in Louisiana, voters approved constitutional amendment The federal government requires revenue from offshore energy generation, which includes wind, solar and tidal energy in addition to oil and gas, to be put into a fund for coastal restoration.
Joshua Baseches, assistant professor of public policy and environmental studies at Tulane University, told Grist that Louisiana’s fund will help “combat erosion exacerbated by climate change, thereby improving the sustainability of the state’s economy and the well-being of its citizens.” We are making important efforts to do so.” .
“This amendment also acknowledges that renewable and alternative energy is the future, and that even though Louisiana is an oil and gas state, we want to be a part of that future.” added.
Evergreen Action’s Barik said the ballot initiative will help advance climate and environmental issues under the second Trump administration. “I don’t think many people would call the presidential vote a referendum on clean energy or climate change,” he said. “The reasons why people vote this way are multifaceted,” but people tend to support environmental policies when the issue is isolated.
B. Rosas, policy manager for the Minnesota-based nonprofit Climate Generation, spoke about climate and environment-related ballot initiatives and the passage of several initiatives. Affirmation of reproductive rights and raise the minimum wage — It was a silver lining in what has been a difficult week for the climate movement.
“The message is spreading that people want progressive policies that protect not only their own well-being, but also the well-being of the planet,” they said.
