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In this newsletter: Council at DNC Winter Meeting
DNC Leadership Elections | Council Listening Tour

2024: Council’s Biggest Year Ever | Council Officers Speak Out

Chair on the Road | Geoengineering Report
Montana Youth Climate Win

Hello Climate Activist,

 

Happy New Year. I hope you and your loved ones had a happy and joyous holiday season. 

 

Like many of you, I spent the holiday season reflecting on 2024 and thinking about the challenges ahead this year. 

 

I – and the Council – enter 2025 more ready than ever to fight for all that we hold dear. And to re-double our efforts to protect the environmental advances we have made. Because we know that Donald Trump and his MAGA allies don’t want to just roll back the progress of the last four years: They will fight to roll back the progress of the last four decades. We will not sit idly by while Trump and Congressional Republicans work to make the air we breathe and water we drink unsafe, to repeal landmark legislation that made historic investments to fight the climate crisis, and to give tax breaks to greedy corporations that pollute and destroy our planet. 

 

It is time for all of us to get back into the fight. And many of us already are, in places like Virginia, where hard work by the campaigns, state party and grassroots organizers mean the House and Senate will stay Democratic.

So much is at stake. For our families. For our communities. For our environment. And for our democracy. We must fight back. And that is exactly what your Climate Council is doing. We are fighting. We are organizing. And we will take the lessons from last year’s election and Trump’s first term to make us more effective, more powerful, and more impactful. 


And most importantly, we will lay the groundwork to win again in 2026 and 2028. 

 

Last year was the most active in the Council’s history. We had more events, organized more people, and turned out more voters than we ever have before (more on that in the sections below). I am incredibly proud of the work of the Council and all our partners and allies. But I also know that we must re-double our efforts this year. And we will. 

 

With so much at stake, I am more committed than ever. And I hope all of you are too. Because it will take all of us to fight back and win. 

 

Best,

Michelle Deatrick
Chair, DNC Environment and Climate Crisis Council


P.S. As many of you know, I am running for Vice Chair of the DNC. I am doing this because at this critical time for our party, and our nation, we need leaders at the DNC who have walked the walk and are clear-eyed about the path back to victory. And I believe our Council and our work here together is an example of that. More information at my website.
 

📆 JOIN US: DNC CLIMATE COUNCIL MEETING
January 30 or January 31. National Harbor, Maryland.

The Council is excited that Danielle Deiseroth, Data for Progress Executive Director, is speaking at our meeting at the DNC Winter convening. Danielle is an incredible speaker and thinker. The November election was a clarion call regarding youth and other environmental voters, and Danielle will address the crucial, intersectional issues of youth and environmental voter turnout, persuasion, and partisanship. In addition, Council Chair Deatrick will share Council plans for 2025. All Democrats are welcome to attend; we will share registration information and the date and time when received from the DNC.
 

👀 WATCH: DNC Leadership Forums & Elections

In early February, the DNC will vote on new leadership for Chair, Vice Chair of Civic Engagement & Voter Participation, Secretary, Treasurer, National Finance Chair and Vice Chairs at-large (3). These are four-year terms.

DNC Leadership Forums – January 11, 16, 23 & 30

In preparation for the leadership elections, candidate forums focused on each of the nation’s four regions will be held. On January 11, a forum for the DNC’s Southern Regional States will be held online. On January 16, an in-person forum in Detroit will focus on the DNC's Midwestern Regional States. On January 23, a forum for the DNC’s Western Regional States will be held online. And on January 30, an in-person forum will be held in Washington, DC for the DNC’s Eastern Regional States. The online forums will be shown on the DNC’s YouTube site.

DNC Leadership Elections – February 1

On February 1st in National Harbor, Maryland, the 448 members of the DNC will vote on new leadership. Proposed Rules for the election are here (the full DNC needs to approve them on February 1). Candidates who have qualified to date are here.
 

👂 STAY TUNED: DNC Climate Council 2025 Listening Tour

The Council is excited to be launching our 2025 Listening Tour in May 2025. This tour will build on our 2017 Listening Tour, which informed our work on the Democratic Platform, and our 2021-2 Listening Tour, which informed our work building out DEN, the Democratic Environment Network of state environmental caucuses and councils. We will also be sharing a questionnaire/survey for those who cannot make it to our in-person meetings.
 

💪 2024 In REVIEW: The Council’s Biggest-Ever Year of Organizing & Mobilization

✅ First-ever in-person Meetings at the Democratic Convention! The Council hosted over 1,000 people in person and 10,000+ virtually for our Chicago Democratic Convention meetings, with a packed program and an engaging set of speakers including AFT President Weingarten, MA Governor Healey, Senators Markey and Merkley, Representatives Jayapal, Casten, Castor, Frost, Khanna, Raskin, and Stansbury, former White House Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy, and incredible leaders from the Environmental Justice and Climate communities including DNC Members Jane Kleeb and Christine Pelosi.

✅ The Council’s BIGGEST Earth Month Mobilization ever, with 70+ events organized by Democrats across the U.S. and Democrats Abroad

✅ Climate Is a Winning Issue Initiative: More than a dozen livestreams and in-person events, plus briefing memos and strong social media outreach.

✅ Council On the Road: The Council went to over a dozen states from Massachusetts to Arizona, New York, Texas and more in 2024. Council Chair Michelle Deatrick spoke at 50-plus events, and other Council and DEN leaders spoke at over a dozen more, in support of Democratic candidates and initiatives.

✅ Presidential Campaign: The Council provided the bedrock on which the campaign’s climate outreach and organizing was based, with our supporters, volunteers, and partner network. We co-organized a battleground state rally with Jane Fonda, and several livestreams, training hundreds of volunteers. We were lucky to work with terrific staffers Camila Thorndike and Jake Schwartz.

✅ Messaging and Media: The Council was active on seven social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and BlueSky in support of the Democrats’ clean energy, environmental and conservation efforts. Chair Deatrick had several op-eds published in support of Democratic environmental achievement, and she led a campus Letters to the Editor effort on behalf of the presidential campaign.

More of our organizing this year.
 

📰 COUNCIL OFFICERS SPEAK OUT: Secretary Stephens on Next Steps for the Democratic Party & Youth Director Presendieu on Environmental Leadership

DNC Environment and Climate Crisis Council officers Paul Presendieu, Director of Youth Engagement, and Dr. Allison Stephens, Secretary and Director of Black Engagement, authored these articles that we are excited to share with you. Paul’s piece, Empowering Local Environmental Leadership, discusses the importance of local climate action. Dr. Stephens’ piece The Democratic Party Does it Again, provides an insider’s analysis of the presidential campaign and an in-depth framework for moving forward.
 

📍CHAIR ON THE ROAD: YDA, ASDC, White House and Vice Presidential Events

Young Democrats of America Winter Convention in Boston –

Chair Deatrick Speaks

At the Young Democrats of America (YDA) Winter Convention, DNC Climate Council Chair Michelle Deatrick spoke at the Welcome Reception, at the Disability Caucus meeting, and on a panel at a joint meeting of YDA’s Environment and Rural Caucuses. She is grateful to YDA President Quentin Wathum-Ocama, YDA DNC Representatives Stephanie Campanha Wheaton and Katherine Jeanes, Environmental Caucus Chair Paul Presendieu, Rural Caucus Chair PJ Errera, Disability Caucus Chair Leslie Templeton, and Asian and Pacific Islander Caucus Chair Jason Park for the invites and great events! Democrats need to invest in and support youth leaders.

State Democratic Committees Winter Meeting in Phoenix –

Chair Deatrick Speaks 

At the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC) Winter Meeting, DNC Climate Crisis Council Chair Michelle Deatrick spoke at the General Session. Her remarks stressed the important role of state parties in organizing and winning up and down the ballot.

Chair Deatrick Attends White House and Vice Presidential Holiday Events

Chair Deatrick was honored to celebrate the holidays at the White House and at the Vice President’s Residence with Vice President Harris and Second Gentleman Emhoff.
 

📊 IMPORTANT READ: Report on Geoengineering Risks

The Council is tracking geoengineering – aka climate engineering – research and planning. Intentional alternations of Earth’s climate and environmental systems to fight climate change can pose serious risks that must be assessed. The Center for International Environmental Law’s Risks of Geoengineering explores the serious biodiversity harms of some of the most commonly discussed geoengineering approaches and how, rather than tackling the climate crisis, geoengineering could actually make it worse. This publication also highlights the human rights consequences of going down this path, debunks some common myths around geoengineering, and sets out a series of recommendations for States. Read it here.
 

🎉 CLIMATE WIN: Inflation Reduction Act Tops $1 Billion for Farms and Rural Small Businesses

The Biden-Harris Inflation Reduction Act has provided $1 Billion in clean energy investments to nearly 7,000 American farms and rural small businesses. And there are new projects in nearly every state that are lowering costs, expanding access to clean energy and strengthening American farms and small businesses.
 

⚖️ CONGRATULATIONS: Youth Plaintiffs Win Montana Climate Case

Montana’s Supreme Court ruled that the permitting of oil, gas, and coal projects without considering climate change violates residents’ right to a clean environment. This Council and our Chair have stood with Our Children’s Trust – the advocacy group involved with this case. Congratulations and gratitude to the youth plaintiffs!
 

💙 ON TO 2025: Looking Forward to Working with You!

Help grow our community and our impact in 2025. Invite a friend to join the DNC Climate Council with this link to sign up or ask them to text CLIMATE to (833) 586-8285.

January 2025 Newsletter

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In this newsletter: MONDAY-National Campaign Climate Training 

Council at the Convention | Harris-Walz Climate Toolkit

Volunteer: Climate for Harris | CA Dems Enviro Caucus Report

Council Youth Director Honored | New Climate Polling

Council Organizing & On the Road | GOTV: Voters Abroad

Hello Climate Activist,

 

With the convention and debate behind us, we are now in the home stretch of the election. But I am going to tell you something. Election Day is not just on November 5th: in many states it is almost every day between now and November 5th. Right now, as you are reading this, ballots in some states have been mailed out. And in some states early voting has begun.

 

So now is the moment we all need to lean in and ensure that we are doing everything in our power to ensure we win the White House, we keep the Senate, regain our House majority and elect climate leaders up and down the ballot. 

 

As you will see in this newsletter, the Council is all in. We know this is the most important election of our lifetime. We know that Donald Trump and Republicans up and down the ballot don’t just want to undo the progress of the last four years, but want to undo the progress of the last four decades. And we can’t let them win. 

 

So join us. Get your friends to join us. Get your neighbors to sign up and join us. Because everyday from now until November 5th is election day. And victory will require all of us.

 

Thank you for all you are doing and all you will do during this election. We will win this together. 

 

In service, 

Michelle Deatrick
Chair, DNC Council on the Environment and Climate Crisis

Michelle Deatrick (Chair), David Green (Vice Chair), Paul Presendieu (Youth Engagement Director), Allison Stephens (Black Engagement Director), Howard Chou (AAPI Engagement Director), Ruth Anna Buffalo (Native American Engagement Director)
 

⏰ URGENT: Climate Voters for Harris-Walz Organizing Call – Monday 9/30 8pm ET / 5pm PT ☎️

 

This webinar empowers YOU to participate in some of the most important work of this election: reaching out and turning out friends, family and neighbors to VOTE. On Monday, September 30th at 8pm ET, Green New Deal champion Senator Markey kicks off this focused training on the campaign’s relational organizing tool, REACH. Sign up, then spread the news: RSVP Here | Share on Facebook | Share on Twitter.
 

💌 WATCH AND SHARE: Climate Election 2024 – Council Meetings at the Democratic National Convention

 

Climate is on the ballot from the school board to the White House this November. Watch and share these videos of our packed, interactive meetings at the Democratic Convention to build the climate vote and momentum.

Council meetings at the Democratic Convention featured remarks from more than 20 elected, labor, environmental justice and frontline community leaders, as well as two panels: Biden Harris Administration Climate Achievements and Climate is a Winning Issue for Democrats. Plus a powerful presentation on the history of U.S. environmental justice by Dr. Beverly Wright of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice. AND new polling from Data for Progress Executive Director Danielle Deiseroth, which makes it crystal clear that climate change continues to be a key voter issue.

 

Our YouTube channel has recordings of both our meetings and clips for each speaker: Watch here.
 

🌎 YOUR TOOLKIT: Share Harris-Walz Climate Policy and Achievements

 

Share the good news: Kamala Harris is an unapologetic climate champion. She and Governor Walz understand the issue and have years of experience working on solutions at the state, local and national levels. Meanwhile, Trump has already promised to sell the White House and his policy agenda to Big Oil if they raise money for him this year. 

 

  • Harris-Walz Climate Fact Sheet: Tackling the climate crisis with the urgency it demands – Vice President Harris has advanced ambitious climate action her entire career, and she will continue to fight for the freedom to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live free from the pollution that fuels the climate crisis.

  • Harris-Walz Economic Plan is climate-forward: Vice President Harris and Governor Walz’s America Forward strategy is designed to maintain and extend America’s strategic edge in industries of the future – like modernizing and reducing emissions in steel and iron production, developing biotechnology that can help produce critical medicines and new sustainable materials, and expanding clean energy manufacturing and innovation.

  • Vice President Harris is an EJ Leader: Environmental Justice Scorecard shows the impacts and benefits of the Administration’s more than $600 billion in environmental justice investments.

  • Climate Messaging Tips and Best Practices from Data for Progress
 

💪 VOLUNTEER TO WIN: Climate Voters for Harris-Walz 

 

The climate vote is crucial to this election. Be part of reaching out and turning out climate voters with the national campaign! 

  • SIGN UP WITH THE CAMPAIGN for Climate Outreach notifications.

  • VOTER OUTREACH TRAINING CALL: Monday 9/30 8pm ET Call with Sen. Markey. 

  • CLIMATE VP DEBATE WATCH: This Tuesday, October 1, watch a special Climate Debate Watch livestream with the national campaign Climate Voters for Harris.

  • KNOCK DOORS: Don’t live in a battleground state? The Harris-Walz Climate Team is launching a canvassing program for volunteers to travel to battleground states nearby and spread the joy!
 

🗺️ REPORT from the DEMOCRATIC ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK: California Dems Environmental Caucus


The network of national, state and local Democratic Environmental groups is growing – find yours or start one in your state. AND get inspired by the California Dem Party’s Environmental Caucus’s Report on their dynamic organizing and support for candidates in critical races. Thank you to CA Environmental Caucus Chair RL Miller for her leadership!
 

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS: Council Officer Paul Presendieu Named to Grist 50

Paul Presendieu, DNC Climate Council Youth Engagement Director, received the honor of being selected for the Grist 50 – people across the U.S. who are tackling the climate crisis in innovative ways. Paul’s work at Soulful Synergy connects underserved workers with green collar jobs. A well-deserved honor!
 

🌱 POLLING & POLITICS: Climate is an increasingly important voting priority -  and a Winning Issue for Democrats

 

Climate is a winning issue for Democrats, new polling from Data for Progress confirms. About a third (32%) of voters – including half (52%) of Democrats – say climate change is more important to their vote choice in 2024 than it was in 2020. A majority of likely voters are familiar with the topics of climate change (76%) and environmental justice (57%).  More from Data for Progress Executive Director Danielle Deiseroth here.
 

🎤 COUNCIL ORGANIZING & ON THE ROAD: NYC Climate Week, Michigan Jane Fonda Event & Michigan County Democrats, Online Sunrise Climate Phonebank & Maryland Netroots Convention Panel 

 

The Council is all in this election. Highlights from just some of our organizing and events follow. Request a Council speaker for your virtual or in-person event here.

NYC Climate Week: Council Chair Speaks, Meets with Advisory Team

At NYC Climate Week, Chair Deatrick spoke about alongside organizer 1.5 Climate Strategies Group’s Founder Ning Mosberger-Tang, Harris for President Climate Engagement Director Camila Thorndike, and Climate Cabinet Executive Director Caroline Spears. And Council Advisory Team Members Lake Liao and Sam Horowitz met with Chair Deatrick at a Harris-Walz Campaign event!

Michigan: Council Co-Hosts Climate Voters for Harris-Walz Event with Jane Fonda & GOTVs with County Democrats

In this battleground state, the Council is doubling down on organizing!

 

The Council joined Jane Fonda Climate PAC, Climate Voters for Harris-Walz, student groups at the University of Michigan and community groups to host this important Get Out The Vote event. Jane Fonda, Chair Deatrick, Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Michigan Board of Education President Pamela Pugh, and University of Michigan students discussed what is at stake in the November election, why it is crucial to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz – and how to do it.

And at a packed meeting of the Van Buren County Democrats, Council Chair Deatrick spoke about the Biden Harris Administration's historic climate and environmental justice achievements, and climate as a winning issue. The Chair will speak at canvass launches and other events as the election approaches.

On-Line: Council Chair Kicks off Sunrise Phonebank to elect Harris-Walz

Continuing the collaborative effort to mobilize climate voters for this election, Chair Deatrick kicked off a Sunrise Movement phonebank alongside climate advocates Sage Lenier, Kaniela Ing, Elise Joshi, Varshini Prakash, and Johana Bozuwa.

Maryland: Council Panel at Netroots Convention, How to Engage Younger Voters 

At the country's largest annual progressive convention, the Council’s exciting panel discussion featured Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous, Greenpeace USA Chief Program Officer Tefere Gebre, Data for Progress Executive Director Danielle Deiseroth, and Founder and Executive Director of Zero Hour Zanagee Artis. Moderated by Chair Deatrick, the panel explored takeaways from the 2023 elections, polling, messaging research, and why leaning into climate is a winning strategy for 2024 and beyond.
 

🌍 GET OUT THE OVERSEAS VOTE: Democrats Abroad & How You Can Help 


The 6.5M U.S. voters abroad are often the margin of victory in races up and down the ballot. If you have friends or family living outside the U.S, or know students studying abroad this fall, ensure their voices are heard! Send them to votefromabroad.org today, to register and request their ballots. Deadlines are approaching, so act now!

September 2024 Newsletter

August 2024 Newsletter

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In this Newsletter: DNC Climate Council at the Chicago Convention

Climate Voters for Harris Kickoff

Executive Board Praises Harris on Climate

Climate Activist,

 

Vice President Harris and Governor Walz are unapologetic, longtime climate champions. They understand the issues and have years of experience working on solutions at every level of government. By electing them, we can build on our progress of the last four years. 

 

Join us in person or online at the Council’s meetings at the Democratic National Convention, on August 19th and 21st at 1:45pm CT!  Sign up now to get updates on our exciting speakers and program – and to get the livestream link when it’s available. 

 

Our events feature 20+ amazing speakers including American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, WE ACT for Environmental Justice Executive Director Peggy Shepard, Senator Ed Markey, Congressman Maxwell Frost, and Tennessee State Representative Justin Pearson. New polling data will be presented by Danielle Deiseroth of Data for Progress. Plus meet the Council’s leadership team, and hear important panel discussions, presentations and more.

 

Climate is on the ballot. We are looking forward to continuing to work with you to elect Democrats and advocate for people and planet!

 

In solidarity,

Michelle Deatrick
Chair, DNC Council on the Environment and Climate Crisis
 

RSVP to the DNC Environment and Climate Crisis Council’s Meetings 

At the DNC Convention: In-person and Livestreamed on August 19 & 21

Note: We’ll send you the livestream link. RSVP for the in-person events is not required - but we’d love to know you’re coming!
 

Today: Friday, August 16th 3-4:30pm ET

Climate Voters for Harris Kickoff Call (Virtual) 

 

Join this official campaign event for an afternoon of celebration, as we commemorate the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, and organize to elect Climate Champions Vice President Harris and Governor Walz.

 

This virtual event will begin at 3pm ET on Friday, August 16th. We’ll hear from leaders across the climate movement including Jane Fonda, Bill Nye and more. Plus we’ll discuss the historic accomplishments of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, and receive messaging guidance. Sign up through this Mobilize link and you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to join the call.
 

Executive Board of the DNC Environment and Climate Crisis Council Praises, Endorses Kamala Harris for President

The Executive Board of the DNC Environment and Climate Crisis Council endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President: “She is, without question, a climate champion who will continue to take the necessary actions to address the climate crisis on the scale needed. She has throughout her career been a tireless champion of the environment.”

Read the full statement here. Share it on Twitter and on Facebook.

In service,

DNC Environment and Climate Crisis Council