Entering the Political Sphere

Passing successful Green New Deal (GND) policies requires votes, and getting policy practitioners and elected officials on board is one of the biggest barriers for GND efforts. How can grassroots GND efforts with limited resources gain political sway in a system that favors powerful and wealthy interests? Entering the political sphere can be a difficult undertaking due to the money and expertise required, the legal restrictions, and the networks involved in running a successful campaign. Corporate polluters and interests rely on heavy interference in policymaking to subvert the people’s demands for climate action; building pressure in favor of GND policies will be crucial in turning the tide toward meaningful policy reform. The following resources cover different strategies that efforts have begun to use to enter the political realm and some rules to keep in mind when doing so, including distinguishing between 501c3 and 501c4 rules, educational GND training for local politicians and their staff, or even running GND candidates.

Climate Action Plans (CAPs) are foundational documents from cities and states that provide a framework for measuring, planning, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and related climatic impacts. These can often be a great first step toward more meaningful and transformational action and policy when they center equity. We have gathered some of the most comprehensive and intersectional CAPs that excel in their equity measurements, climate policies, and/or emissions goals.