Vote Wisely, US: What You Need to Know Before Voting on the Future of Our Planet
Your vote impacts the climate crisis. Learn how local leaders, empowered by federal funds, can drive real change through adaptive, data-driven solutions for a sustainable future.
#5 Your Daily-ish Knowledge Dose
Before We Begin:
Today, we focus on two key points:
If you feel pessimistic about the climate crisis and think it doesn’t deserve consideration in your vote, think again. I’m here to share recent good news from Nature that reminds us of what’s possible and encourages us all to look at climate action with renewed hope.
If you want to make a positive impact on the climate crisis, the most powerful action you can take is to vote wisely. Your vote helps decide whether we move toward a safer, cooler future or continue toward severe warming. If you want real change, vote for leaders who prioritize climate action. As a reminder, we’ve already seen the impact of deprioritizing climate policy, like the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement during the Trump administration.
News Brief
As Americans cast their votes tomorrow, a new commentary in Nature emphasizes the crucial role local governments play in achieving the goals set by recent $1 trillion federal investments aimed at decarbonizing the U.S. economy. This funding, allocated through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), provides a historic opportunity to cut emissions. However, its success relies heavily on how well state and local governments implement these climate policies on the ground.
The Stakes Are High
The federal investment provides the groundwork for significant climate action, bringing forth landmark measures, particularly the $4.3 billion Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) Program, and $4.5 billion High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program for programs targeting increased energy efficiency and home electrification. This will require state and local governments to move quickly in translating these dollars into local responses in terms of building codes, land-use policy, and infrastructure projects. It is up to local authorities to create and prioritize these programs and to bring these bold decarbonization objectives to life.
A Generational Chance for Change: Gordon McCord, a coauthor of the Nature commentary, describes this moment as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to reshape America’s energy landscape. Given that cities produce around 70% of U.S. CO2 emissions, policies on building codes, land use, and renewable energy incentives could be transformative if implemented effectively.
Learning Through Experimentation: The commentary urges local governments to treat climate policies as ongoing experiments. This means rigorously evaluating what works in real time and iterating accordingly. For instance, San Diego County, a pilot location, has partnered with JPAL North America to assess the cost-effectiveness of its climate initiatives, setting a valuable example for other regions.
Insights and Observations
Think about it; who is more likely to lead effectively on climate? With tomorrow’s election, the power to shape America’s climate path is in your hands. Decarbonization policies aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. To make real progress, local governments must treat these policies as experiments and implement measures to continuously evaluate what works best.
By voting for leaders who prioritize data-driven, adaptive approaches, we can ensure that the massive federal investments in climate action translate into tangible, impactful results. Choosing leaders who recognize the need for experimentation and accountability in climate policy is essential if we want to create sustainable solutions that truly work in the long run.
So as you vote, consider: who will treat climate policy as a dynamic, evolving experiment, committed to learning and improving?