In the United States, each of us lives in a community that is governed by policies, rules, and laws passed by members of that community and its elected leaders. You can make a difference by electing climate-conscious leaders (or running for office yourself!) and by letting your elected leaders know that you support climate-friendly policies.

As you advocate, you also have the opportunity and the responsibility to work to make those policies more equitable. Climate change shines a light on the inequities and injustices that have plagued us for too long. It’s the communities that are most vulnerable who bear the brunt of the effects of climate change and, too often, the expense of policies designed to curb climate change. One of the most effective things you can do is to help to center the voices of those who have been disenfranchised, whose communities have not received as much investment, and who have been the victims of environmental pollution and degradation for decades or more.