Third Parties Could Jeopardize Climate Progress, Environmental Groups Warn
WASHINGTON – A coalition of national environmental groups today released an open letter to environmental voters urging them to vote for the Harris-Walz ticket rather than third-party candidates like Jill Stein or Cornel West, arguing that third-party votes could tip the election to Donald Trump, who has vowed to roll back climate progress and “drill, drill, drill.” The letter, signed by 10 leading environmental organizations, argues that Vice President Kamala Harris is the best choice for protecting and expanding progress on climate and environmental issues at a national scale.
“As we watch the destruction and tragedy unfold after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, there is only one candidate in the presidential election who has a track record of addressing climate change; Vice President Kamala Harris,” the groups wrote in a letter distributed to millions of their members, activists and followers.
The groups argue that Vice President Kamala Harris has a stronger environmental record and experience than candidates like Jill Stein and Cornel West and has earned the support of environmental advocates fighting for climate action.
The environmental organizations, many of which have endorsed Harris, highlighted Harris’ past climate actions including fighting for environmental justice and taking on Big Oil in California, and casting the tie-breaking vote for the historic Inflation Reduction Act in the U.S. Senate.
“Harris is a climate and justice leader with two decades of public service on the frontlines of needed progress and change. She’s been a driving force in delivering the strongest climate action in history, and she’s ready to build on those gains from day one as president,” the groups wrote.
The letter is signed by Friends of the Earth Action, 350 Action, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, Climate Emergency Advocates, Earthjustice Action, Food and Water Action, League of Conservation Voters, NRDC Action Fund, Sierra Club, and Sunrise Movement.
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Open Letter to Potential Supporters of Jill Stein or Cornel West
Dear friends of the environment,
On behalf of the climate and our environment, we are asking you to vote for the Harris-Walz ticket as it represents our best chance at making more progress over the next four years.
As we watch the destruction and tragedy unfold after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, there is only one candidate in the presidential election who has a track record of addressing climate change: Vice President Kamala Harris.
Harris is a climate and justice leader with two decades of public service on the frontlines of needed progress and change. She’s been a driving force in delivering the strongest climate action in history, and she’s ready to build on those gains from day one as president.
Two years ago this summer, Harris cast the tie-breaking vote that secured U.S. Senate passage of the strongest climate action in history – climate and clean energy incentives worth at least $370 billion over 10 years in the Inflation Reduction Act. She has also been a driving force to ensure that the solutions are equitable and address the unfair pollution and health burdens that our nation’s front-line communities have suffered.
Harris has worked for environmental justice for two decades, starting after she was elected district attorney for San Francisco and, later, attorney general for California. She created one of the first environmental justice units in San Francisco and held oil companies and automakers accountable for their pollution.
Former President Trump, on the other hand, waged the worst White House attack ever against the environment and public health while in office. And he has made clear that his second term will be even more extreme, drawing from the detailed anti-environment proposals and plans contained in Project 2025. Every vote for Dr. Jill Stein or Cornel West instead of Kamala Harris makes it more likely that Donald Trump will win.
We share your commitment to a safe and healthy environment for all and thank Stein and West for raising important issues in this election, but Vice President Harris is the only candidate with a record of success addressing climate change. Please join us in voting for the Harris-Walz ticket and against the Trump-Vance pro-polluter ticket.
Sincerely,
350 Action
Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund
Climate Emergency Advocates
Earthjustice Action
Food and Water Action
Friends of the Earth Action
League of Conservation Voters
NRDC Action Fund
Sierra Club
Sunrise Movement
Communications contact: Shaye Skiff, kskiff@foe.org