By Andrew Hartley
Most—and perhaps all—readers of this newsletter know that caring for God’s earth is important. And so, we recycle our plastics, we minimize our car miles, we eat less meat, and so on. We generally realize, though, that personal lifestyle choices, like those, can do only so much. Even though we adopt environmentally responsible habits, America and the world need to do so much more. God’s Earth is still being degraded, and recent government decisions have worsened that degradation.
How can we make a bigger difference? Well, did you know that millions of Americans are like you, in that they care deeply about the environment? Yet, many seldom vote—or not at all—in national, state and local elections. The late Representative John R. Lewis said voting is the most powerful voice of the people; yet environmentally-minded citizens don’t always use that voice.
An organization called the Environmental Voter Project continually researches voting patterns in the US. They have identified the registered voters who are most likely to prioritize the environment in their voting. Each year, going back to 2016, more than 10 million registered voters who were likely to prioritize the environment, didn’t vote. In short, overall, the environment movement has a voter turnout problem.
That’s a recipe for disaster for the planet God loves and you and I count on. American democracy depends on an educated, involved, and morally upright populace; yet many who care for creation are not involved in the most basic way: They are not voting.
The voter turnout problem is even worse in midterm elections,
as in 2018, when 12.4 million environmentalists didn’t vote.
So, given that the November 2022 election is a midterm, your vote in 2022 will matter even more. Please vote! Not sure who to vote for? You can read up on the environmental records of candidates using the League of Conservation Voters scorecards. And for information about engaging in elections, see the UMC Church & Society’s Creating Change Together resource (pages 18–19): “Engaging in the Electoral Process: Rights and Responsibilities of Faithful Voters.”
Plus, if you have friends who care about the environment, make sure they vote. Strike up discussions with them about the candidates they prefer. Mention to them what you like and don’t like about candidates (without being pushy). If they don’t plan to vote in November, offer to take them to the polls.
If all environmentalists voted in our elections, our world would be a better place. Less cancer, climate change, disease. More animal species surviving, justice, natural beauty and health. Please vote!
Still not sure? Download and use the following voter guide from Interfaith Power & Light (cosponsored by the UMC’s United Women of Faith): Faithful Voter Reflection Guide.
Andrew Hartley became a Christian in 1983 through a campus ministry at college. He leads the creation care ministry at Elma (NY) United Methodist Church and volunteers with Citizens Climate Lobby.