Your weekly resource to learn what the environmental movement is saying about the news of the day and the political fight of our generation. Be sure to follow LCV on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

“As a nation, we must face the wrongs of our past in order to build a more just and equitable future.The ugliness of the segregation era had many impacts that we have failed as a nation to adequately acknowledge. This new designation will help us tell a truer American story, and ensure this important and painful chapter in our nation’s history is preserved and remembered for the generations to come.” 

— Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, speaking on the Blackwell School National Historic Site Act, which was signed into law on Tuesday.  The Act designates the Blackwell School site in Marfa, Texas as part of the National Park System and permanently protects the site for future generations. The site is part of the history of Texas school districts establishing separate elementary schools for Mexican American children through the practice of de facto segregation. 

“We need to do more, not less, to deliver on the promise of clean water in our nation. I’d like to see greater progress when it comes to improving clean water access for our most disadvantaged communities and making our infrastructure more resilient to climate change.”

— Senator Tom Carper said in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act. 

“As a pediatrician, I have seen the effects that bad air quality days have on children…We need to make sure that we’re creating a living community for our kids in the future, and that includes regulating emissions.”

— Dr. Yadira Caraveo, US House candidate (CO-08), speaking on the importance of clean air for public health and protecting the EPA’s ability to regulate emissions.

FULFILLING A DREAM: FIGHTING FOR THE EQUITABLE RIGHT TO VOTE: This week, we are highlighting the incredible story of Chispa Arizona Civic Engagement Director Nicole Morales. Though she may not be able to cast a vote, she is finding ways to engage her community in the civic process. A recipient of DACA, Morales has put her energy into activism, attending rallies and protests in her community that drew attention to the injustices and barriers to access that she and other Dreamers faced. Now with Chispa Arizona, she focuses on expanding voter access and resources for Latinx communities and other communities of color who are historically excluded from the electoral process. Read her story here.

OUR TAKE: Chispa Arizona Civic Engagement Director Nicole Morales said, “It gave me a lot of pride that after elections, people would reach out to me and say ‘I voted and I was thinking of you.’ More access to voting would allow everyday working communities to participate. If you make the process easier, they will also feel more welcome. This should be a process everyone should feel welcome and a part of…We’re all little wells of knowledge. Not one person knows everything, and that’s the way we make each other stronger.”

STORIES FROM THE FIELD: “I HAD NEVER VOLUNTEERED BEFORE, I ACTUALLY REALLY ENJOY IT”: This week, we are sharing the story of Cynthia V, an LCV member volunteering with LCV’s 2022 GreenRoots program. This cycle, Cynthia is pouring her energy into Arizona’s Senate race, where Mark Kelly is running against Blake Masters. Masters sits on LCV Victory Fund’s 2022 House and Senate Dirty Dozen list of the worst anti-environmental and anti-democracy candidates. Cynthia is now one of 2,000 LCV members who have collectively made tens of thousands of calls to eligible voters across the country on the importance of getting out to vote this November.

GREENROOTS VOLUNTEER TAKE: LCV’s 2022 GreenRoots program volunteer Cynthia V. said, “I read an article that said the Latino community is going to be the one to decide who wins the midterms, because there is such a large Latino community now throughout the whole country. A lot of my people – I’m Mexican American – a lot of my people don’t know that. And I want them to know that. Just like Black women changed the tide –I think it was in Alabama or Mississippi, several years back — Our people need to know that their vote is going to count. That’s key.”

LCV VICTORY FUND DOUBLES DOWN ON HOUSE RACES, LAUNCHES $1.7M IN ADS IN MI-03, MN-02, OR-06, NM-02, NH-01, & CT-05: This week, LCV Victory Fund has launched new TV, digital, and digital radio ads totalling $1.7 million in 6 House districts: MI-03, opposing John Gibbs; MN-02, supporting Rep. Angie Craig and opposing Tyler Kistner; OR-06, supporting Andrea Salinas; NM-02, opposing Rep. Yvette Herrell; NH-01, opposing Karoline Leavitt; and CT-05, supporting Rep. Jahana Hayes. 

OUR TAKE: LCV Victory Fund Senior Director of Campaigns Megan Jacobs said, “With less than three weeks to go until November 8, LCV Victory Fund is doubling down on our support for climate and democracy champions running for battleground House seats. From Connecticut to Oregon, and everywhere in between, dangerous anti-environment and anti-democracy Republicans are on the ballot, itching to roll back this Congress’ progress to build a healthier, more equitable, and more affordable clean energy future.”

LCV VICTORY FUND LAUNCHES $275,000 ANTI-HERRELL AD BUY IN NM-02: LCV Victory Fund launched a new $275,000 anti-Herrell ad buy in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District this week. The ad highlights Rep. Yvette Herrell’s anti-democratic extremism, including voting to protect Marjorie Taylor Greene and voting against seeking justice for the police who protected the Capitol on January 6th. Herrell is a member of LCV Victory Fund’s 2022 Dirty Dozen list of the worst anti-environment, anti-democracy candidates. Watch the Twilight Zone themed ad here.

LCV VICTORY FUND ADDS FINAL 4 CANDIDATES TO ‘DIRTY DOZEN’: LCV Victory Fund announced the final additions to its 2022 House and Senate Dirty Dozen list of the worst anti-environmental and anti-democracy candidates: Washington Senate candidate Tiffany Smiley, CT-05 candidate George Logan, NH-01 candidate Karoline Leavitt, and KS-03 candidate Amanda Adkins. LCVVF is also up with new digital ads in NH-01 and CT-05; watch them here.

OUR TAKE: LCV SVP of Campaigns Pete Maysmith said, “Down to the wire, we saved some of the absolute worst candidates for the environment and democracy for our final four additions to the 2022 federal Dirty Dozen list. From Smiley’s so-called ‘environmental agenda’ pushing for more oil production, to Logan’s background as a utility lobbyist whose parent company raised energy prices on consumers while raking in record profits, to Leavitt’s inexperience and extreme allegiance to defeated former president Trump, to Adkins’ oil and gas industry money-filled campaign coffers, these four candidates are not just dirty, they’re extremely dangerous.”

LCV VICTORY FUND & CLIMATE POWER ACTION ANNOUNCE CLIMATE VOTERS MOBILIZATION EXPANSION INTO CA-27, NC-13, NM-02, NY-22, OH-01, OH-13: LCV Victory Fund and Climate Power Action’s $15 million joint ‘Climate Voters Mobilization’ digital ads and direct mail campaign has expanded to six new competitive House races: CA-27, supporting Christy Smith; NC-13, supporting Wiley Nickel; NM-02, supporting Gabe Vasquez; NY-22, supporting Francis Conole; OH-01, supporting Greg Landsman; and OH-13, supporting Emilia Sykes. Digital ads targeting climate voters in these districts will run through the election and the same voters will receive five related mail pieces over the next few weeks. The ads are targeting more than 2 million total 2020 Biden voters at risk of not turning out in the midterms who are uniquely mobilized by climate and environmental issues.

OUR TAKE: LCV Victory Fund Senior Campaigns Director Megan Jacobs said, “We’re thrilled to have the ability to support these pro-environment challengers and fight for key open House seats in the final weeks before the election. LCV Victory Fund and Climate Power Action are uniquely equipped to motivate voters who care about climate and have the power to help determine the outcome in 2022 battleground races – we’re not leaving anything on the table this cycle when it comes to electing more pro-environment leaders to Congress.”

MEMO: WEEKLY LCV VICTORY FUND UPDATE – 10/20/22: Less than three weeks out from Election Day, LCV Victory Fund made clear this week that they are not leaving anything on the table when it comes to maintaining pro-environment control of the House. In addition to new ads and Dirty Dozen additions, this week FiveThirtyEight highlighted their Climate Voters Mobilization program with Climate Power Action in a piece quoting notable political science reporters validating their theory of the case. 

FIVETHIRTYEIGHT TAKE: “Targeting the people who care the most about climate change, and are the least likely to just go out and vote on their own, with ads that tell them politicians are actually acting on their desires can produce the kind of small differences that tip the scales in some elections.” 20 more days to tip those scales!

LCV ACTION FUND ENDORSES AR, MA, NY and RI CANDIDATES TO FIGHT FOR CLIMATE IN CONGRESS: LCV Action Fund, which works to elect pro-environment candidates, announced the endorsement of Josh Riley (NY-19), Seth Moulton (MA-06), David Cicilline (RI-01) for Congress and Natalie James for Senate representing Arkansas.  

OUR TAKE:  LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “Josh Riley is committed to protecting New York’s natural environment and transitioning to a clean energy future with the urgency that the climate crisis requires. Riley has spent his career fighting for consumers, for campaign finance reform and voting rights, and he is exactly the kind of leader we need in Congress to hold Big Oil accountable. LCV Action Fund is all-in to support Riley’s campaign because we know that he will always work to protect our environment and democracy.”

OUR TAKE: LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “Representative Moulton has always fought for the right of everyone in Massachusetts to live in a healthy environment and safe climate. Representative Moulton has been a tremendous advocate for our clean energy future and for protecting our democracy. We are excited to support his campaign so that he can continue to help lead the fight for climate action, jobs and justice.”

OUR TAKE: LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “Representative David Cicilline is a steadfast leader who has proven his commitment to fighting for people and our environment over corporate polluters and their profits. We are excited to support his campaign and work with him to ensure all communities in Rhode Island and beyond have a healthy environment, a just and equitable democracy, and good paying jobs. The Ocean State is the proud home to so much natural beauty but also one of the most vulnerable states to climate change. We need more people like Representative Cicilline in Congress fighting for a healthier, greener, and more equitable future for all.”

OUR TAKE: LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld said, “Natalie James is a champion for climate and environmental justice and advocate for every Arkansan’s right to clean water and clean air. James knows that communities must prepare for the impacts of the climate crisis and is committed to centering the needs of environmental justice communities across Arkansas. We are proud to endorse her campaign because we know that Natalie James is the kind of leader we need to grow our clean energy economy and make our climate more resilient in an equitable and just way.”

BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER OFFSHORE WIND LEASE SALE IN THE PACIFIC: The Department of the Interior announced on Tuesday that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will hold its first-ever offshore wind lease sale off the coast of California in December. 

OUR TAKE: LCV Government Affairs Advocate David Shadburn said, “We applaud the Biden-Harris administration for taking this big step towards securing a clean energy future. The Pacific Ocean has enormous potential to generate the wind energy needed for a just and clean energy transition away from dirty fossil fuels. Today’s announcement, the first-ever offshore wind lease sale on America’s west coast, will jump start the west coast’s opportunities to benefit from the clean energy economy by creating good-paying union jobs and lowering energy costs for American families, all while combating the climate crisis. We are grateful to BOEM for engaging in a thoughtful stakeholder engagement and environmental review process and celebrate their hard work towards meeting President Biden’s commitment to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030 and leading us towards a clean energy future for all.”

50 YEARS OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT: A Q&A WITH CONGRESSIONAL CHAMPIONS: In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act this week, LCV asked clean water champions in Congress to answer questions about the importance of the law and its achievements over the past 50 years, threats and barriers to reaching its intended goals, and what we can do over the next 50 to make every community has access to clean, safe, and affordable water. Read their answers to our questions here. 

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE STATES:

MEMO: STATES ARE LEADING THE FIGHT TO STRENGTHEN OUR DEMOCRACY: As November quickly approaches, and with 2024 on the horizon, LCV state affiliates across the Conservation Voter Movement (CVM) and Chispa program are reflecting on a year spent fighting gerrymandering, blocking anti-voter bills, and championing major voting reforms. By working with state legislatures, governors, and local election officials, together we have helped strengthen our democracy in 2022, ensuring that the voices of communities who face the greatest barriers to the ballot box are heard — including voters of color, elderly and young voters, voters with disabilities, and voters with low wealth. Click here to read a compilation of our democracy wins this year and how we are organizing, advocating, and working within communities to make a healthier democracy for all. 

EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES WITH DIGITAL TOOLS TO ORGANIZE OFFLINE: On Wednesday, Chispa Maryland hosted their 4th “promotores” class to teach people how to utilize social media to organize their community online and offline. Learn more here.

COOKING IN COMMUNITY AND LEARNING ABOUT VOTING: Last week, Chispa Nevada hosted a “Cocinando en Familia” (Cooking with Family) event where attendees enjoyed food, music, and connecting with community while discussing the importance of getting out to vote in the the midterm elections. The Latinx community has the power to decide and drive change through their vote and raising their voice. Learn more here.

DIVERSITY IN THE OUTDOORS: Masavi Perea, Chispa Arizona Organizing Director (@masaviphoenix), and DJ Portugal, Chispa Arizona Federal Climate Organizer (@deeh_jai), attended the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Wilderness Risk Management Conference this week in Burlington, Vermont. They learned skills for safely working, teaching and recreating in the outdoors. While there, Perea and Portugal took time to get into nature and connect with their ancestors on Abenaki land. See Chispa Arizona’s Instagram post here.

CHISPA AZ TAKE: Chispa Arizona Federal Climate Organizer DJ Portugal said, “We’re learning and simultaneously advocating for equity and representation in “outdoor industries” and challenging colonized perspectives of public lands and outdoor spaces and how to keep folks safe.”

COMING UP:

ALL OF OCTOBER: LGBTQ+ History Month

OCTOBER 22: TEDxFremontEastDistrict presents ‘Succor the Southwest’, a COUNTDOWN event with Chispa LCV Digital Campaign Manager Alexa Aispuro-Laoiza

MONTH OF NOVEMBER: Native American Heritage Month 

NOVEMBER 8: Election Day!