In this newsletter: Council on the Road: MD | 2025 Council Plans

New Polling | DNC Leadership | Act Now to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies

NM Dems Lead on Climate | Send Us Your Story | Public Comment

DC Updates | Climate Storytelling Webinar | Recommended

Hello Climate Activist,

No need to sugarcoat this: We’re one month into the new Administration, and Donald Trump and Elon Musk are taking a wrecking ball to our government, our basic rights and our freedoms. They are gutting agencies that protect our air, our water and our land. And they are reversing hard fought progress we made in tackling the climate crisis. 

But we can not and will not give up. We will continue to fight. We will work to protect federal workers. We will work to protect the vital agencies that keep us healthy and safe and that protect our planet. And we will continue to work to address the worsening climate crisis. 

While hope is hard to find these days, we must never give up on hope. And we must never back down on working against want-to-be dictators and unelected billionaires. That is why we at the Council are doubling down in this moment. This fight is too important to do anything else.

In this newsletter, you will find information about how we begin this fight and what we have planned for the weeks and months ahead. 

This is a difficult time. But we are in this together. And we will fight back together. 

In Solidarity, 

Michelle

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

🌏 COUNCIL ON THE ROAD: January Meeting in Maryland

Our January meeting at the DNC featured new polling on climate and the election (see the next section for more!), a briefing on the Council’s 2024 achievements and what’s next in 2025, and a dynamic panel, What to Expect on Climate in the Next Four Years – And What Democrats Can Do, with Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous, EarthJustice Action Vice President of Policy and Legislation Raúl García, and Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice Member Justin Onwenu.

⭐ WHAT’S NEXT: Council Builds on Our Biggest Year Ever as We Plan for 2025

In 2025, the Council will build on our biggest-ever year of organizing and mobilizing in 2024, which included: Our first-ever in-person meetings at the Democratic National Convention, our biggest Earth Month Mobilization ever, with more than 70 events across the U.S.; our Climate is a Winning Issue Initiative (12+ livestreams and in-person events); the Council on the Road with travel to 12+ states; our Council Chair speaking at 50+ events – and other Council leaders at a dozen more; and the bedrock volunteer and outreach on which the presidential campaign’s climate outreach and organizing was based. What’s up next for 2025?

📍NEW POLLING AT THE COUNCIL’S JANUARY MEETING: Climate in the 2024 Election & Trump’s Environmental Actions

Data for Progress’s Executive Director Danielle Deiseroth shared new polling data at the Council’s January meeting. The full presentation slide deck – which is really interesting and important! – is here. Some key takeaways: 

• The cost of living was the top issue for voters in 2024. Related: voters support policies to lower electricity bills via clean energy (e.g., home solar)

• Voters still widely support the IRA and oppose roll backs of its key provisions

  • Communicating IRA’s benefits continues to be key – especially regarding household savings and job creation 

• Bipartisan majorities of voters widely support proposals to improve 1) disaster preparedness and 2) reform the home insurance industry
  
  

• Trump’s climate and energy policies mostly are viewed favorably by Republicans, while Democrats and Independents oppose them

  • BUT a majority of Republicans opposed ending protections from drilling on public lands

One of the many great slides in Danielle Deiseroth’s presentation.

📣 ANNOUNCING: Newly Elected DNC Leadership

At the February DNC Winter Meeting, the 448 members of the DNC elected new leadership to four-year terms. Congratulations to the newly elected DNC Officers: Chair Ken Martin, Vice Chair for Civic Engagement and Voter Participation Reyna Walters-Morgan, Vice Chairs Malcolm Kenyatta, Artie Blanco and David Hogg, Secretary Jason Rae, Treasurer Virginia McGregor, and National Finance Chair Chris Korge. And gratitude to outgoing Chair Jaime Harrison, a strong supporter and mentor to the Council’s work. 

🖊️ TELL YOUR CONGRESSPEOPLE: End Fossil Fuel Subsidies

It’s time to end the handouts for Big Oil and Gas. These corporate polluters receive more than $15 billion in direct federal subsidies each year so they can continue to poison our communities and threaten the future of people and planet. Speaking of REAL government waste: Our taxpayer dollars are supporting the climate crisis and enabling fossil fuel billionaires to line their pockets. Click here to send a letter to your elected representatives (of any party) to end the Big Oil, Gas and Coal welfare.

💙 DEMOCRATS LEADING ON CLIMATE: STATES & CITIES EDITION – New Mexico Gov. Lujan Grisham & the Clear Horizons Act

With leadership from New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, the New Mexico Democratic trifecta, and advocacy by ally and partner organizations, the landmark pro-environmental and pro-climate Clear Horizons Act and related legislation is on track to become law. 

New Mexico is the second largest producer of crude oil in the United States. That also means New Mexico produces lots of greenhouse gases that pollute the air – harming the environment and public health. So this is exciting – and important. More from a local Sierra Club chapter here.

Spread the news! Share the Council’s posts on X (Twitter), Facebook, and Bluesky.

***Next month: Your City, County, State or Tribe could be here! See the next section.

📢 SEND US YOUR STORY: Share Your Local, Tribal or State Democratic Climate or Environmental Success Story

As Trump attacks climate and environmental justice initiatives, Democrats around the country are moving forward. Send us your story: the DNC Environment and Climate Crisis Council will be working to amplify local, state and tribal climate successes, like the one from New Mexico just before this section! Email info@dncclimate.org with your story.

From a climate action plan approved for your city, to a climate candidate elected to your state legislature, to a pro-solar zoning ordinance in your township – it’s all important and we would love to celebrate and share.

🗣️ MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD: Federal Public Comments for Our Health and Wild Creatures

• Protect the Blue Tree Monitor. The blue tree monitor, a lizard, is threatened by severe habitat loss and population decline. Adding it to the endangered and threatened species list will help. Comments due February 24, 12 noon ET.

• Protect American Families from Cancer-Causing Emissions from Polyether Polyol Production. Polyether polyols are used to make lubricants, adhesives, sealants and cosmetics. The pollutants emitted are linked to cancer. An EPA proposal would strengthen industry emission standards. Comments due February 25, 12 noon ET.

• Designate the Monarch Butterfly as Threatened. This Fish and Wildlife Service proposal would designate the monarch as a threatened species and designate a critical habitat for them. Comments due March 12, 12 noon ET.

📊 DC UPDATES & WHAT’S AT STAKE FOR WORKERS: From the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center 

Our allies at the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center demystify the policy decisions that impact our lives and empower communities to organize. CPCC’s terrific Unrig the Rules provides concise updates on Hill timelines and processes, and the current state of play on key Congressional activity and potential outcomes. The CPC Center also published an explainer that unpacks what Trump is putting at stake for workers.

📆 AMPLIFYING CLIMATE SOLUTIONS WEBINAR: Storytelling and the Power of Narrative

Join the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication on February 28th at 12pm ET to explore the power of incorporating climate solutions in storytelling and journalism. Speakers: Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, New Narratives; Alex Amend, Rewiring America; Thelma Young Lutunatabua, The Solutions Project. Register.

📚RECOMMENDED: 

• CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS: Report on Building Equity with Direct Pay: READ

• ENVIRONMENTAL VOTER PROJECT: Feb. 26 Briefing on Mobilizing with Direct Pay: SIGN UP

• ECORISE: Celebrate Black History Month and Learn About Black Environmental Justice Heroes: READ 

• WHAT WE’RE WATCHING FOR IN 2025: Three good articles on key moments and events to watch for this year: BBC READ, UN READ, YALE READ