Grist 50+ big plans in Virginia

This update was originally shared March 24, 20201.

Did you hear? Our Executive Director Caroline Spears was announced as one of Grist Magazine’s 2021 “Grist Fixers,” fifty emerging climate leaders and innovators across the US. Grist is an independent media organization focused on climate justice and solutions. We’re honored to see Caroline among the ranks!

Check out the full list and share the announcement!

Caroline was selected as a “Grist Fixer” for her work ensuring downballot candidates run, win, and legislate on bold climate platforms — and that remains Climate Cabinet Action’s sole focus. At the time of this announcement, we’re preparing to launch our candidate engagement program in Virginia, where important House of Delegates elections are taking place this fall.

We’re getting ready to launch our climate candidate engagement program in Virginia, and here’s why:

• In 2019, the Virginia House of Delegates flipped to a pro-climate majority. Less than a year later, they passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act — making Virginia the first southern state to pass a 100% clean energy standard. They also joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which puts a cap on power plant pollution and directs funding to energy efficiency for low-income Virginians, created the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice, banned fracking and offshore drilling, and adopted Clean Car Standards
• But in order to tackle the climate crisis: progress needs to accelerate, with equity front and center. We can’t afford to let Virginia’s progress slow — let alone get clawed back. Virginia needs to dramatically scale up clean energy, modernize the grid, reign in polluters, and ensure that the clean energy transition prioritizes fenceline and fossil fuel communities.
• This fall, all 100 VA House of Delegates seats are up for election. This campaign season is critical for protecting Virginia’s pro-climate majority — and strengthening the political mandate for climate justice in Virginia. That’s exactly what we’re planning to do.

After talking to and drawing policy priorities from groups across Virginia, like the VA Green New Deal Network and Natural Resources Defense Council, we’ll be launching our district-specific candidate engagement program. Starting in April, we’ll be reaching out to state legislature candidates across the state, ensuring they have the support they need to campaign on bold climate platforms in a way that works for their community.

We’ll keep you posted on our work — and on critical races to support later this year.