As we celebrate the 59th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) this month, it is important we remember this: The only way to tackle the complex challenges of our time is with a democracy that is responsive to the people it represents.
From racial justice to economic opportunity, gun violence to health care, education to reproductive freedom, there is no issue that stands out as an exception to this rule. Certainly, our ability to tackle the climate crisis — one of our most urgent challenges, and the most existential for our planet — depends on the strength of our democracy.
The Biden-Harris administration has made historic progress on climate action. The Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are but two examples of the policies keeping America and humanity in the fight against fossil fuel-driven climate change. And there are dozens more examples of executive orders and agency rulemakings from the administration that represent bold climate action. To continue and expand on this progress, our democracy must be built to ensure it serves the interests of the many, not just the few.
The fight against climate change is not just a scientific or environmental issue, but also a deeply political and democratic one. The climate crisis is a global emergency that demands immediate attention and action, and it is the people who have the power to drive and influence our leaders and policymakers to prioritize that action.
But the reality is that the fossil fuel industry, with its immense wealth, has been able to shape and influence our democracy to serve its interests, rather than those of the people. That is why we need to strengthen our democracy to better protect voting rights, make it easier to vote, curtail partisan gerrymandering and reduce the corrupting influence of money in politics. The power in a democracy should rest with people, and the voice of the voter, not a small handful of executives and investors getting rich from one planet-killing industry.
Transitioning to a clean energy economy is not just a moral imperative, it is an investment in America in so many ways. It reduces pollution, making the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil where our food grows cleaner, safer, and healthier. And it is better for consumers and ratepayers too. Renewable energy like solar and wind are already more affordable and resilient than fossil fuels, and that gap is widening every day. The same goes for electric vehicles.
Speeding up the transition will continue to create jobs, ensure American competitiveness in the next economy, and grow and strengthen our economy. We have already seen well over 300,000 jobs created by the Biden-Harris administration’s investments in clean energy.
Someone who understood this was my friend, the late Congressman John Lewis. Rep. Lewis was one of our greatest champions for strengthening American democracy and protecting the rights and power of voters. In his final years, he said,
“I do not agree with the dark vision of America’s future [then-President Trump] described that pits accepting responsibility for our environmental impact against the economic stability and vitality of our country. … The rest of the world has seen the economic and environmental benefit of clean energy, and they will leave us behind.”
As we remember Rep. Lewis’ legacy this summer — between last month’s anniversary of his passing and the anniversary of the VRA this month — let us remember those words as a call to action. And let us also remember that although there is no conflict between economic prosperity and doing all we can to fight the climate crisis, the climate fight is indeed a conflict. It is a conflict between the infinitesimal number of extremely wealthy and powerful people who benefit from the fossil fuel status quo and the rest of humanity.
By protecting and expanding voting rights — with bills like the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act — we can ensure that all voices are heard and that climate policies are developed with equity and justice in mind. When marginalized communities, including communities of color, low-income communities and Indigenous communities, have a seat at the table and a voice in the democratic process, they are more likely to push for climate policies that prioritize their needs and interests.
Moreover, the same systems and structures that perpetuate the climate crisis also undermine democracy and the rule of law. So, it is not just that democracy is a climate issue. Climate is a democracy issue as well. By addressing the climate crisis, we can also address the underlying democratic deficits that perpetuate inequality and injustice.
Climate justice requires a democratic system that is accountable, transparent and responsive to the needs and demands of all people, particularly those most affected by climate change. By strengthening democracy, we can ensure that climate policies are developed with the participation and consent of all affected communities.
Let us work together to build a democracy that serves the people, not just the powerful. Let us prioritize voting rights, climate action, and environmental justice. The future of our planet depends on it.
Ben Jealous is the executive director of the Sierra Club and a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania.
