Democracy
Democracy
Confronting the climate crisis and advancing environmental justice fully depend on a functioning democracy. This means ensuring every American's fundamental right to vote is protected, fair and just judges sit on our courts, and our voices aren’t silenced by fossil fuel billionaires and corporations.
Why does Sierra Club work on strengthening our democracy?
The fight for equity, democracy, and a livable planet are interconnected. Many of the critical issues that our nation faces -- tackling the climate crisis, transitioning to 100% clean renewable energy, combating environmental injustices, accessible reproductive healthcare, criminal justice reform, to name just a few -- cannot be fully addressed until we fix our broken democracy.
Too often the communities most impacted by climate change and pollution are the same communities targeted by fossil fuel billionaires, voter suppression, and silenced by big money in politics. Without the ability to easily cast their ballot, everyday Americans will have far more difficulty electing the candidates who best represent their values and priorities into the halls where decisions are made. That's why protecting the right to vote, ensuring free and fair elections, and reducing the influence of polluters and big money in politics are top priorities for the Sierra Club. Without action to protect and strengthen our democracy, everything we’ve worked for could be undermined.
Additionally, a strong and healthy democracy must include a strong and healthy judiciary. Without judges and justices who are fair and just in our district and circuit courts, as well as the Supreme Court, many of our environmental priorities will be at risk.
Multiple Supreme Court decisions, including the disastrous Citizens United decision, opened the door for fossil fuel billionaires and polluting industries to pour exorbitant amounts of money to influence elections.
69%
67%
support prioritizing renewable energy
Strong Democracy = Healthy environment
Poll after poll show that the American people strongly support action to combat the climate crisis and move our nation towards clean energy. Yet, all too often the voices of the people are curtailed by voter suppression, gerrymandered districts and polluter money flooding elections. Protecting the freedom to vote is crucial to ensuring every voice is heard so we have effective and accountable elected officials in place to combat the climate crisis.
Victory!
Environmental Groups Applaud Senate Introduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
Leading climate and environmental organizations today applauded Senator Durbin, Senator Warnock, Senator Booker, Senator Blumenthal, Senator Butler, Leader Schumer, and all cosponsors for re-introducing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, emphasizing its crucial role in safeguarding the public’s access to fair elections and protecting the freedom to vote. They urged the Congress to quickly pass this legislation.
What We Are Doing
Sierra Club activists in Georgia lobby their state legislature.
Sierra Club's Democracy Program participates in a number of pro-democracy and judicial coalitions, composed of other environmental organizations along with organizations across the broader progressive movement including those who work on civil rights, good government, faith, voting rights, labor, and reproductive rights. Together, we fight for a fair and equitable democracy where every American can easily cast their ballot for leaders who best represent their values, principles, and priorities free from the corrupting influence of the fossil fuel industry and billionaires.
What You Can Do
Support the Environmental Justice for All Act
The A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act is the type of bold legislation we need to right the wrongs of environmental racism. Tell your members of Congress to support it!
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