The Environment
To achieve a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate, LWV advocates on issues like voting rights and “urgent issues."
Urgent issues include social issues that impact people’s ability to participate equitably in our democracy, including sex and gender equality, environmental and gun policies conducive to public health, immigration reform, and the ability to make reproductive choices.
LWVUS and the LWV Oregon filed amicus briefs supporting youth seeking a court order requiring the federal government to plan to end fossil fuel emissions
The League submitted comments to the Council on Environmental Quality in response to its request for information on Phase One of the Environmental Justice Scorecard, an executive order-directed assessment of what the federal government is doing to advance environmental justice. The League advised on ways to improve the scorecard's assessments and accessibility to facilitate the public's ability to monitor federal progress and hold the government accountable on advancing environmental justice for all.
The co-signing organizations believe that it is time that the Human Rights Council appoints a woman from the Global South as the new Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations.
The League signed onto a letter to the President urging him to remove Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) in existing free trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties. ISDS allows foreign investors to allege that a government's action, such as banning a toxic chemical or rejecting a mining permit, violates their corporate rights and sue the government for compensation. ISDS hinders government environmental and climate protections.
Parks provide a place to stay active, gather with loved ones, and spend time in nature, improving our quality of life. Those serving on your local park board are vital to preserving the parkland and ensuring that parks continue to meet your needs.
The League submitted comments to the Council on Environmental Quality regarding its proposed revisions to its regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The League advised on modifications to the proposed revisions to ensure that they achieve: consideration of climate change and environmental justice and their effects; full and fair public involvement; and better decision-making.
The climate crisis continues to devastatingly and inequitably impact the health and well-being of people and our planet.
As effective climate action requires political commitment and coordinated laws and policies, the League advocates for bold and just executive and legislative actions to help ensure a stable climate for future generations.
LWVUS joined a letter to Congress urging that they protect the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) -the primary federal support for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure- from being diverted to earmarks in the FY2024 appropriations process. This diversion would reduce the total state revolving funds and grant money for territories and tribes; shield funded projects from statutory oversight and transparency requirements; and diminish future funds.
LWVUS sent a memo to members of Congress urging them to support S. Con. Res. 13/H. Con. Res. 56. This concurrent resolution recognizes the disproportionate impact of the human-caused climate crisis on the health, economic opportunities, and fundamental rights of children in the US and acknowledges the need for the executive branch to develop a national, comprehensive, science-based, and just climate recovery plan.