🗳️ Count 'Em! Climate Votes Are In.

This week we’ll be covering the U.S. midterm election results, which are critical for our future. In order to keep existing climate plans in place and pass new ones, the U.S. needs to elect leaders who have clear plans to tackle the climate crises. Follow along to learn more about some important wins and what that means for climate action.

Young People - Give Yourself A Pat On The Back

🥾 Follow This Path - This is great news for the climate because young people are more likely to believe that climate change is a global emergency compared to other age groups, and as they become eligible to vote, I expect them to elect responsible leaders. I am also excited to see the success we’ve had in using social media platforms like TikTok to engage young voters. My hope is that politicians with worthy platforms utilize social media in future elections.

Representation Matters (Especially In Politics)

😊 The Good News - Maura Healey (D) beat Geoff Diehl (R) in the Massachusetts Governor race to become the first openly lesbian governor in U.S. history. Healey is known for suing Exxon Mobil for spreading climate disinformation, so we can expect tackling climate change to be on her agenda. And, in Maryland, Wes Moore (D) beat Dan Cox (R) to become the third Black governor in U.S. history and the first for Maryland. He has an aggressive pro-climate plan, which includes climate justice initiatives and a transition to clean energy.

🥾 Follow This Path - Representation matters, especially when it comes to addressing something as intersectional as the climate crisis. I am excited to see both Healey and Moore make history with their victories, and I am looking forward to them following through with their campaign promises to enact climate policies. Their climate work will be particularly important for Massachusetts and Maryland, two coastal states that are already feeling the impacts of climate change-induced sea level rise.

M&M² For The Win

😊 The Good News - In Minnesota and Michigan, democrats saw “sweeping success". This means all four “M'' states are now controlled by the Democrats.

🥾 Follow This Path - State governments are often overlooked when it comes to climate, but they are very important for implementing climate action policies at the grassroots level. Pro-climate candidates were on the ballot in every state, and nearly every state elected at least one of them into office. I’m excited to see what climate plans come out of state legislatures in the coming year, and I hope more people will pay attention to state governments because of it.

Gen-Z Is Going To Congress

😊 The Good News - Maxwell Frost (D), climate justice and gun violence activist, beat Calvin Wimbish (R) in the Florida 10th Congressional District race to become the first Gen-Z member of Congress. Although the results won’t be finalized for several weeks due to the state’s ranked voting system, Mary Peltola (D) is leading against Sarah Palin (R) and Nick Begich (R) in the Alaska 1st Congressional District race. Mary Peltola became the first Alaska Native member of Congress when she won the special election race for the House seat earlier this year. This race will now determine who will have the position for the next two years.

🥾 Follow This Path - Although I’m a millennial, I'm excited that Congress will now have its first Gen-Z member. Young people deserve to be part of our political system, especially when it comes to solving issues like climate change that will continue to impact our future generations. Although the results of Alaska’s House race haven’t been determined yet, I hope Peltola gets to keep her seat in Congress since she is a staunch environmentalist and has only spent a few months in Congress.

Still Too Close To Call...

🥾 Follow This Path - As nerve-wracking as waiting for results is, I'm hopeful that Warnock and Kelly will win their races, and if they do I'm curious to see what bills they will pass to protect the planet. I’m particularly excited that Fetterman won his race in PA because his plans to transition to clean energy while capping old gas wells and creating jobs are just what the state needs.

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Written in partnership with Pique Action. Tired of doom-scrolling? You've found your people. Find Pique's positive, educational climate content on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.