Photo courtesy of Ian Brickey
If you're anything like me, the past year has been a roller coaster. I’m deeply concerned about the climate crisis and the devastating threats it poses to our communities, our families, and our wild places. I began 2021 excited about what a new president and Congress committed to climate action could accomplish. I ended it disappointed, as the historic Build Back Better Act stalled in the Senate.
Given all that, I'm sure many of you have been asking, "What can we do now?"
We have hopeful news: Our policy experts on Capitol Hill say that talks among key senators are resuming, and the Build Back Better Act is being reworked into something that can actually pass through the razor-thin Democratic majority in the Senate. The goal is to get a new climate, care, jobs, and justice bill passed in Congress before the summer, and before political energy gets consumed by the midterm elections.
How can we get federal climate legislation across the finish line? Here's our plan:
On Saturday, April 23, the day after Earth Day, we're mobilizing nationwide with dozens of organizations and movement partners to Fight For Our Future. We’ll be covering our towns and cities with displays of art and creative activism. And we’ll need people like you to organize art builds, hang banners, paint murals, chalk sidewalks, and create other kinds of public art, so our message demanding climate, care, jobs, and justice is seen and heard across the country. Let’s make sure our representatives can’t go anywhere without feeling the heat. President Biden and Congress have no time to waste to deliver on bold climate, justice, jobs and clean energy investments. The cost of inaction is real.
We'll share images of our art actions on social media and tag elected officials. Our communications team will get the media's attention, and our lobby team will make sure the message gets back to senators' offices and staff. This spring is a key moment in the fight for climate, care, jobs and justice legislation. Together we'll show the beauty and scale of our movement, and push Congress and Biden to get it done.
Take the first step by signing up to organize a public art event or banner drop in your community. It's OK if you’re nervous— we will support you every step of the way!
Do you live near Washington, DC, Atlanta, or Phoenix? Our coalition partners are organizing major rallies in these politically critical states. Join us on April 23!
If, like me, you're not in these cities, it's our job to bring the message to cities and towns nationwide to push our elected leaders to Fight For Our Future and invest in Climate, Care, Jobs, and Justice. Sign up to organize your own event, or join our April Training Series on Tuesdays to build the skills you’ll need and sign up later. We'll also have toolkits, coaches, and office hours to answer your questions and offer all the support you need.
Not ready to sign up? As the Senate develops a bold piece of legislation forward for climate, care, jobs and justice, the next best thing you can do is to tweet at Senator Chuck Schumer to show him the urgency of moving the bill forward this spring. As Senate Majority Leader, Schumer has an outsized role in deciding what bills get considered for a vote and when. Let's echo the people in the streets by lighting up Twitter to remind Senator Schumer to join us in the Fight for Our Future.