Climate groups are helping people vote early and track new climate-conscious voters in key states.

Climate-conscious canvassers in Philadelphia, primarily consisting of individuals over 60, are actively going door to door in the lead-up to Election Day. Their goal? To distribute green slips of paper containing voter registration guides to encourage climate-focused voting in a time when issues like the economy, immigration, and abortion are taking center stage.

One such canvasser, Daniel Carlson from the climate activist group Third Act, emphasized the significance of this election, stating that it is the most consequential one he has been part of in his four decades of voting. The group’s efforts are aimed at mobilizing voters around climate change despite the prevalent focus on other pressing issues in the election discourse.

According to CBS News polling, a significant portion of voters – 32% – do not consider climate change a factor in their choice for the presidential race. However, for millions of individuals, climate change is a top priority. The Environmental Voter Project (EVP) is a non-profit organization actively working to identify and mobilize climate-conscious voters, particularly focusing on low-propensity climate voters who express concern about climate change but did not vote in the previous presidential election.

Nathaniel Sinnett, the executive director of the Environmental Voter Project, revealed that in Pennsylvania alone, they have identified 245,000 such voters. Similar high numbers have been identified in other crucial battleground states where EVP is operational. With Joe Biden’s narrow margin of victory over Donald Trump in Pennsylvania in 2020, these climate-focused voters could play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the current election cycle.

EVP leverages predictive modeling and data analytics to pinpoint millions of registered voters with a climate focus. By targeting environmentalists who are registered but historically have low voter turnout, EVP aims to encourage their active participation in the democratic process. Sinnett emphasized that early voting statistics show promise, with nearly 130,000 first-time climate voters having already cast their ballots across 19 states where EVP is active. Among these states are key battlegrounds like Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, where hundreds of thousands of low-propensity climate voters have been identified.

Although EVP’s model does not guarantee that a climate voter will vote for the Democratic ticket, historical trends suggest a leaning towards liberal candidates among these voters. Early voting records indicate that climate voters are turning out at higher rates than the general electorate in some battleground states, reaffirming the potential impact of their collective voice.

Third Act, spearheaded by renowned environmentalist Bill McKibben, is another group dedicated to mobilizing climate-conscious voters, focusing specifically on older Americans. McKibben, a veteran campaigner for environmental causes, highlights the unique perspective that older generations bring to the climate discourse, having witnessed significant social and environmental movements unfold over the decades.

McKibben and his group have encountered resistance from many climate-minded Americans who feel disillusioned by the political process. Addressing this sentiment, McKibben emphasizes the importance of showing up to vote, even when faced with skepticism about the efficacy of political engagement. As he puts it, “The purpose of an election is not salvation, but a collective step towards progress.”

Among the canvassers in Philadelphia, Daniel Carlson, a 60-year-old pastor hailing from Schenectady, New York, underscored his commitment to making a difference in this critical election. Similarly, Helen Grady, an 85-year-old former school teacher, was motivated to join the canvassing efforts upon learning that many young voters were contemplating abstaining from voting. Her impassioned plea echoes the sentiment that every vote counts and is a crucial step towards shaping the future.

As the election draws near, the combined efforts of these climate-conscious canvassers and activist groups like EVP and Third Act signal a growing awareness and mobilization around climate issues in the political landscape. While climate voters may not constitute the largest voting bloc, their impact on the margins could tip the scales in a closely contested election, underscoring the significance of every individual’s voice in shaping the future trajectory of environmental policy and action.