Washington, DC — Today, author Bill McKibben and 350 Action, a national organization working to change the politics of climate change, endorsed Kevin de León (D-CA) for the U.S. Senate. Read De León’s answers to 350 Action’s candidate questionnaire here.
“Kevin de León has been a strong champion of clean energy–and an effective one, using his power in Sacramento to make change happen against the strong opposition of the fossil fuel industry,” said 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben. “He won’t just vote the right way in DC, he will make the climate justice debate come alive!”
“California is seen as a leader in climate action, but there’s so much more that must be done,” said 350 Action Executive Director May Boeve. “Kevin de León has authored several bills to push the needle on climate in his home state, including California’s SB100 for a 100% renewable energy transition. He is rising to the challenge to make California a true leader on climate that goes above and beyond what we’ve seen nationally, and not a moment too soon.”
On the connection between healthy communities and environmental justice, De León wrote in his questionnaire, “Public health is the cornerstone of environmental and environmental justice policy, and will always be among my highest priorities. Environmental justice is at the core of the health problems suffered by people of color—especially our children and parents—who live and work in the inland areas of Los Angeles, the Central Valley, and San Diego. It is ironic that economic interests often argue against strong environmental protection based on costs, when those costs do not take into account the millions of dollars spent every year in emergency room costs, job and school absenteeism and the like. These are the true economic costs associated with pollution, and they are a real world experience for most of the communities I represent.”
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), Jess King (PA-11), Kaniela Ing (HI-1), and Thomas Heckroth (IA-1), and gubernatorial candidates Cynthia Nixon (D-NY), Ben Jealous (D-MD), Cathy Glasson (D-IA), Andrew Gillum (D-FL), and Bob Massie (D-MA).
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Contact: Dani Heffernan, [email protected], +1 (305) 992-1544
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.