Online tool tracks climate-related bills in 10 states

Skip to content (Image credit: AP Photo/Mark Pynes) Transcript: Election day is around the corner. As voters prepare to cast their ballots, those concerned about global warming may want to learn which climate-related policies their elected officials have supported or opposed. Spears: “We know that state and local leaders are the centerpiece and the engine that will get us across the finish line on climate broadly, and on clean energy goals, clean transportation, some of the biggest drivers of climate pollution that we’re seeing. … They are often overlooked in our policy sphere, but they have outsized impact and are incredibly important.” That’s Caroline Spears of Climate Cabinet Education. The group is helping people access this information with a free online tool called the Climate Vote Explorer. It allows people to see recent climate-related bills in 10 states and how each elected leader voted on them. Spears says many of these bills affect more than climate. For example, energy policies can influence the cost of electricity and fuel. Spears: “I think right now we’re in a moment where cost of living and affordability are kind of top on folks’ minds and definitely top on voters’ minds heading into this November’s election.” So she says the tool can help people understand how their state leaders are voting on issues that impact their constituents’ day-to-day lives and the future of the climate. Reporting credit: Myriam Vidal Valero / ChavoBart Digital Media