Sierra Club's Michael Brune tells members to hang tough amid GOP-dominated wins in the 2014 Mid-Year Elections. His comments:
“Last night’s election played out much as was predicted by analysts. Despite the climate movement’s significant investments and an unprecedented get out the vote program, strong voices for climate action were defeated and candidates paid for by corporate interests and bolstered by sinister voter suppression tactics won the day.
“But don’t be fooled. This election marked a pivotal change in how candidates confront the climate crisis. Even the most anti-environmental candidates were compelled to greenwash their voting records and change their tune on climate denial. The climate on climate is changing.
“We’re not backing down. A Congress elected by corporate polluters may think it can force a polluter agenda on this country. But, public support is solidly behind action to tackle the climate crisis. There is a growing movement of climate and clean energy voters that will be standing up to polluters and their political allies every step of the way.
“While we have lost friends in Congress, we are gaining them in the streets as our movement grows stronger and broader. In the face of concerted efforts to disenfranchise American voters and weaken the push for climate justice, workers rights, and civil rights, we will fight back together against the corporate interests who are polluting our air, water, climate, and democracy."