We are pleased to announce that CEPC Director Sara Zimmerman will be speaking on preemption on an upcoming Climate XChange Deep Dive webinar in mid-May. Learn more about the threat posed by preemption to climate equity and just transition goals.

Biden’s failures to fight Big Oil have real human costs that are being felt right now. Whether it is oil spills poisoning waters and threatening tribal treaty rights, neighborhood oil drilling exposing families to toxic fumes and higher cancer risks, the air quality impacts of heavy trucking on communities hemmed in by freeways, or refinery emissions and explosions, Black, Brown, and low-income communities bear the brunt. And anger is mounting. Sha Ongelungel, media coordinator for the Indigenous Environmental Network, said, “We’re tired of waiting for you to put people and the planet before fossil fuel corporations.”

The climate crisis, ongoing racial and economic injustices -- the challenges can seem overwhelming. But at the Climate Equity Policy Center, we know that we can emerge stronger and healthier than ever by turning community vision into real change on the ground.

Our Fall newsletter contains a reflection on the Glasgow Climate Conference and introduces new resources on food justice and climate equity. It also features a blog post identifying connections between disparate threats to American democracy, such as attacks on voting rights, preemptive efforts, and limitations on use of the initiative process. The newsletter also salutes our stellar volunteer, Katherine Ogburn, and includes other announcements and information.

With 200 countries convening on climate change in late October, what opportunities are there for real climate action that prioritizes climate justice within and among nations? International leaders are gathering in Glasgow to attend the UN’s climate summit, COP26. It’s been said and ignored many times before – but this event really is the world’s last best chance to stave off the most catastrophic climate consequences. Learn more & take action!

The Climate Equity Policy Center is now a beneficiary of Climate Ride! Climate Ride is a non-profit organization that organizes fundraising bike rides and hikes to support climate and environmental causes. Interested in combining a challenge, a beautiful place, and fundraising for climate equity? Learn more!

The new IPCC report’s portrayal of climate change’s current and future effects in every region is deeply frightening. Irreversible changes are locked in, and we will not avoid deadly increases in heat, more extremes of precipitation and drought, and more natural disasters and famine. But the report also shows us a path forward. 

Democracy is under threat across the United States. Conservative and business interests are covertly undermining long-established rights, stifling local voices and advocacy. States are experiencing a three-pronged attack on democracy: attacks on voting rights, attacks on direct democracy initiative processes, and state preemption efforts that silence local decision making.

It has been an exciting few months here at the Climate Equity Policy Center, and we are thrilled to share our latest publications, focused on preemption and the dangers it represents to democracy.

See more from our Spring newsletter.

We’re delighted to announce that the Climate Equity Policy Center is releasing our first model policy, a model resolution that allows local governments to commit to clear steps supporting a transition to an equitable circular economy.

While we are preoccupied with coronavirus, our house continues to burn. But now we know that when we must, we can make extraordinary changes and sacrifices to protect each other. Instead of waiting until millions of lives are threatened by climate catastrophe, we can continue and advance those personal and policy changes that will help us survive and thrive. Today’s lessons can help us put out the fire and save our tomorrows.