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Climate Change

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our generation, and it causes the most harm to communities that have been historically exploited by corporate polluters and harmful policies: low-income communities, indigenous communities and communities of color. There’s no time to wait – we must build a future that works well for all of us.

People walking through flooded streets in Puerto Rico.

Each year, climate disasters in the U.S. kill hundreds of people and cost over $100 billion in damages.

LCV and our state affiliates fight for just and equitable policies to combat climate change.
We led the charge to pass the biggest piece of climate legislation in U.S. history -- the Inflation Reduction Act.
And we're not stopping. Scientists say we have until the end of the decade to avoid climate catastrophe. So it's up to us to keep making progress.

Fighting the Climate Crisis with Clean Energy Solutions

The League of Conservation Voters is laser-focused on achieving meaningful and equitable reductions in pollution, and on building a clean energy economy that works for us all.

An economy that works well for all of us will: 

  • use clean renewable energy, not fossil fuels
  • cut our greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 while creating good U.S. jobs
  • be decarbonized by 2050 and provide appropriate training and job placements for displaced workers from the fossil fuel industry

And none of that can happen unless we have a robust, inclusive and anti-racist climate movement.

To get there, LCV and our network of 30+ state affiliates work jointly on government investments, policy, elections, and accountability at all levels of government.

  • What we've accomplished together
    • Led the fight to pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the most significant piece of climate legislation enacted in U.S. history, with over $369 billion in tax incentives and other investments to transition our country to a clean energy economy and advance environmental justice.
    • Collaborated with partners and environmental justice leaders to fight against potentially harmful provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, and continued to fight against and remediate the effects of those that were included in the final bill.
    • Fought Sen. Manchin’s harmful permitting rollbacks and stopped their progress in the Senate – twice!
    • Secured policies committing to 100% clean energy in 15 states, ensuring that 40% of people in the U.S. now live in places committed to 100% clean energy.
    • Contributed to the formation of the Equitable and Just National Climate Platform, working to center the needs and leadership of communities of color and the communities most impacted by climate change.
    • Built a long-term grassroots infrastructure of hundreds of trained climate organizers and tens of thousands of volunteers across the country, one third of whom are under age 35.
    • Helped elevate the environmental leadership of Latinx communities and other communities of color through our multi-state program, Chispa, which fights for climate justice and is leading the campaign to transition dirty diesel school buses to electric fleets built and serviced with good union jobs.
    • Through our affiliated political organizations, helped to elect thousands of environmental champions up and down the ballot, including increasing the number of women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ candidates.
    • Launched a candidate recruitment and training program focused on racial justice and equity. We’ve trained over 50 new leaders to run for state legislative seats, city council positions, county commissions and school boards to shape state and local climate policies.

  • How we're continuing the fight
    • Encouraging the Biden-Harris administration to swiftly advance bold executive actions to slash climate and other health-harming pollution.
    • Elevating the benefits – environmental, financial, social, and moral – of climate investments to decisionmakers and the public.
    • Agitating for a green economy that works for workers, families and our whole nation.
    • Fighting to protect Indigenous communities and communities of color along our Gulf Coast, Alaska, and elsewhere who continue to be threatened by oil and gas drilling and fossil fuel development.
    • Building a more powerful, more active, more inclusive climate movement that seeks to prioritize anti-racism in all our work. We’re centering the needs of the most-impacted communities and demanding that “climate action” means “climate justice.”
    • Working with Congress to continue to advance climate policies and collaborating with our 30 state affiliates and dozens of partner organizations to give our voices even more power.
    • Building on the environmental justice priorities of the Equitable and Just National Climate Platform and fighting to ensure that any and all climate legislation passed in this country directs funds to Black, Indigenous, Latinx and other communities of color: that is, to those who bear the brunt of the climate crisis.
    • Demanding our leaders implement a swift transition to a clean energy economy that works for all of us, including underemployed groups and displaced workers, and cut greenhouse emissions by at least half by 2030.
    • Supporting, elevating and partnering with LCV affiliates in their state and local campaigns to move our country closer to 100 percent clean energy.

Program Highlights

A clean energy activist speaks on a boat in front of an ocean wind turbine.

Clean Energy for All

Clean Energy for All is a grassroots campaign to reject fossil fuels and embrace clean energy nationwide. Led by LCV and our 30+ state affiliates, this campaign works to enact change at the state and local levels to advance clean energy solutions that cut pollution and protect public health.

More about Clean Energy for All
A clean energy activist speaks on a boat in front of an ocean wind turbine.
Chispa staff pose in front of sign about voting.

Chispa

LCV’s Chispa (“spark” in Spanish) program builds the power of Latinx and other communities of color to achieve climate justice, community health, and environmental protections at the local and state level.

Visit the Chispa Site
Chispa staff pose in front of sign about voting.
Climate Action volunteers posing at a booth with signs reading "We Support Clean Energy Jobs"

Climate Action Volunteer Program

Fighting for urgent climate action requires massive grassroots support. Through our Climate Action program, volunteers lead meaningful change online and on the ground in their local communities.

More about our Climate Action Programs
Climate Action volunteers posing at a booth with signs reading "We Support Clean Energy Jobs"
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks at a podium during a Climate Action Now press event in front of the Capitol building in DC
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer

“Few organizations are as ready for this fight as LCV — you are organized, you are strategic, and you are steeled. For that reason, few organizations have made a bigger difference.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer

Latest on Climate Change

Explainer
Apr 25, 2024
Clean Energy Tax Incentives Can Help You Save Money — and the Planet

Home energy efficiency projects large and small, appliance upgrades, and switching to a clean car can add up to big savings year over year on utilities and maintenance. Clean energy tax incentives to help make these upgrades and swaps are available thanks to the Biden-Harris administration’s affordable clean energy plan. Get an overview of the many incentives available and tools to help you plan your clean energy updates.

Apr 25, 2024
Clean Energy in Action: A team of four men and women install solar panels on the roof of a house.
People Power
Apr 24, 2024
Good Disability Policy is Good Environmental Policy

The connection between environmental and disability policy is critical, and often overlooked. As climate change fueled disasters are on the rise, LCV and Disability Victory highlight how disability equity is critical for disaster preparedness and response.

Apr 24, 2024
Graphic with "Disability Inclusivity for Candidates" headline and headshots of 5 people: Sarah Young Bear-Brown, Jessica Benham, Maddy Ruvolo, German Parodi and Shaylin Sluzalis
Advancing Policy
Apr 22, 2024
Celebrating Earth Day: a Brief History and a Roundup of New Wins for People and the Planet

A look at the Capitol Hill origins of Earth Day (and LCV) in 1970, and the abundance of federal climate action wins we’re celebrating today. From climate justice, to clean energy and transportation, to prioritizing healthy communities and conservation over polluters, the Biden-Harris administration is leading the way on climate progress.

Apr 22, 2024
A crowd of Earth Day marchers with a sign reading "Climate, Jobs, Justice" and the Capitol building visible in the background.
Good Climate News
Apr 22, 2024
Good Climate News this Week: Protections for the Arctic and Public Lands, Clean Energy Permitting, Wildlife Refuge Expansions, and More!

Every Monday, we round up five of the best good climate news stories we're celebrating. This week we cover new protections for the Western Arctic and public lands, increased prices for oil and gas drilling leases, clean energy permitting successes, and the expansion of four national wildlife refuges.

Apr 22, 2024
Three Whooping Cranes in Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, USA.
Good Climate News
Apr 15, 2024
Good Climate News this Week: Rules to Cut Pollution, an Offshore Wind Transmission Plan, Emissions Reduction in the EU, and More!

Every Monday, we round up five of the best good climate news stories we're celebrating. This week we cover new rules to cut air and water pollution, an offshore wind transmission plan, protections for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and emissions reductions in the EU.

Apr 15, 2024
Caribou standing in front of large mountain range in the ANWR.
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Black and white image of a man and a woman holding their fists in the air. Other fists are seen against the sky in the background.

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©2024 League of Conservation Voters

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©2024 League of Conservation Voters