April 19, 2018

Bill McKibben and 350 Action Endorse Kaniela Ing for U.S. Congress

Washington, DC — Today, author Bill McKibben and 350 Action, a national organization working to change the politics of climate change, endorsed Democratic candidate Kaniela Ing for U.S. Congress. Ing, who is the only candidate in the district race to refuse campaign contributions from the fossil fuel industry, championed Hawaii’s 100% renewable energy bill and defended his local utility against takeover by an anti-solar corporation. He outlined his plans to address the climate crisis in 350 Action’s questionnaire here.

“The planet badly needs champions, not just passive supporters,” 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben said. “Everything in Kaniela Ing’s record shows that he’ll provide the leadership that Hawaiian prosperity requires!”

“Kaniela Ing has not only fought for bold climate policy, he’s put his body on the line,” 350 Action Executive Director May Boeve said. “In Hawaii, he’s been a voice against the fossil fuel industry’s unchecked expansion and a supporter of renewable, community-owned energy solutions. We need advocates like Kaniela, who are grounded in local climate action, shaping priorities at the national level.”

In Hawaii, Ing has taken his commitment to climate justice beyond the state house to the streets, joining direct actions demanding Hawaii banks divest from the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines. As a lawmaker, he’s worked to block fracked gas from coming to Hawaii and has been a strong supporter of the Native Hawaiian community. Ing wrote in his questionnaire, “The neighborhood I grew up in may soon be underwater — within my son’s lifetime. The same goes for Waikiki, our economic heart. Our iconic reefs will be bleached for good, our watersheds will deplete, and fisherfolk will lose their jobs, unless we get aggressive on climate now.” He added, “This means flipping the House and Senate, rejecting corporate money, and leading the charge to a 100% renewable future nationwide, just like I’ve done in Hawaii.

In Congress, Ing hopes to bring his experience convening powerful coalitions in support of progressive climate policy. Ing said in his questionnaire, “In the state legislature, I have successfully worked to find common ground between labor, progressives, and climate advocates around mass transit, wind and solar construction, regenerative agriculture, subsidized environmental impact studies on consensus areas, community solar, and more. I will continue to mobilize labor and environmentalists to build up our progressive movement in congress through federal job guarantees, labor agreements, and community owned renewables.” In addition to climate, Ing is running a broad progressive platform. He’s supported the “Fight for $15,” federal job guarantees, and a universal basic income.

350 Action is empowering voters across the country to make a direct impact in the most important climate races in the nation. This year, 350 Action has also endorsed U.S. congressional candidates Deb Haaland (NM-1) and Greg Edwards (PA-7), and gubernatorial candidates Ben Jealous (D-MD), Cathy Glasson (D-IA) and Andrew Gillum (D-FL).

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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.