Brooklyn, NY — 350 Action is endorsing candidates who have demonstrated their commitment to progressive action on climate change, by supporting a just transition away from fossil fuels towards 100% renewable energy that centers a Green New Deal, and advocates to keep fossil fuels in the ground. You can find 350 Action’s other 2020 endorsements here.

This week, 350 Action is endorsing the following candidates:

• Robert Emmons Jr., Democrat campaigning for the House in Illinois’ 1st District.
• Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez, Democrat campaigning for the Senate in Texas

The following is a statement from 350 Action’s Policy Director, Natalie Mebane:

“2020 has already begun with climate catastrophe, and those in power are not doing enough. Not just in Australia, but in the U.S., where the Trump Administration’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rollbacks take climate change out of consideration in the environmental review for any proposed infrastructure project. At a time when we need elected leaders, on all legislative levels, to be responding to the climate crisis, we instead get deniers and fossil fuel cronies. This is why we’re endorsing candidates like Emmons Jr and Ramirez, who not only advocate for climate justice in their own communities but support a Green New Deal that would transition us into the 100% renewable economy. They see fossil fuel companies for the threat they are — and they’re prepared to do something about it.”

350 Action endorses Robert Emmons Jr., 27-year-old Democrat campaigning for the House in Illinois’ 1st District, whose policy priorities include protecting the right to unionize and passing a Green New Deal. Here is his response on climate migration to the 350 Action candidate questionnaire: 

“Climate Change is an existential crisis facing the world. As water, food, and housing security becomes more scarce, folks all over the world will be forced to migrate. That is part of the reason why we need a path towards citizenship that makes it easier for families to migrate to nations like the US that have disproportionately contributed to the speed and intensity of climate change. We have a responsibility.   ” 

350 Action endorses Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez, Democrat campaigning for the Senate in Texas, co-founder of the state’s Workers Defense Project, running on a platform with issues including a $15 minimum wage and the Green New Deal. Here is her response, via campaign staff, to the 350 Action candidate questionnaire:

“In Texas, we have seen Houston underwater and agricultural communities that are suffering under unprecedented heat and drought. As the second-largest economy in the country with massive wind and solar potential, Cristina will make sure Texas is a leader in our nation’s transition into a green energy future, because no state has more to lose or gain than Texas. Like 81% of Democrats, Cristina supports the Green New Deal.”

###

350 Action is empowering voters across the country to make a direct impact in the most important climate races in the nation. From local elections that can determine the fate of proposed fossil fuel projects, to House races which could help wrestle control of Congress back from climate deniers and oil industry puppets, 350 Action is lifting up climate progressive candidates. Find out more about our work at www.350action.org.

Press Contact: Thanu Yakupitiyage, [email protected]