What’s Next: The Outdoor State Rides At Dawn
Photo by Ming Poon
By now, you’ve seen the headlines: Donald Trump has won the presidency, and Republicans control the Senate. The House race is ongoing. We remain committed to bipartisanship and we must also acknowledge the threat the incoming administration poses to the climate emergency and our hard-won progress.
The Threats to Our Mission:
- Trump has called climate change a “hoax.”
- Trump backed out of the Paris Agreement (the global agreement on emissions reductions).
- Trump rolled back sections of the Clean Air Act.
- Trump promised big oil and campaign supporters to “drill baby drill.”
- Trump stated he would halt offshore wind energy on “day one” if elected.
- Trump stated he would “gut” the EPA.
- Trump stated he would rescind unspent clean energy funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (despite significant actual and potential job creation in red states).
What You Can Do Now:
- Acknowledge that the system is messed up: Take some time to process and honor anything you’re feeling. Get outside for some fresh air–it’s the best reminder for why we do this work and what’s at stake. There will be answers and actions in the coming days.
- Check-in on your people: For the past few months, we’ve asked you to text three friends to vote. Now, we’re asking you to once again show up for each other. Some people are not okay–we are here for each other as a community of outdoor lovers. We will debate, not spread hate, as we move forward together.
- Tapping out is not an option: Going into this election, we prepared for any outcome. The top thing you can do is stay engaged as we remain resolute in our mission to pass emissions-reducing policies at the federal, state, or local level. This is personal for us–we are doing this for the future of our children, our communities, and our wild places.
Gratitude for Showing Up:
First, we want to honor one of our longest-standing athletes, Caroline Gleich, for stepping into the arena. Caroline ran a substantive campaign for the Senate in Utah with grit, poise, diligence, and excellence. We believe she changed the conversation, and her example will motivate more of us to engage and maybe even run in future local, state, and federal elections (hint hint). Thank you, Caroline, for teaching us that the path to positive change is action over apathy.
Before we get back to work, we also want to honor you, the Outdoor State, for Stoking the Vote. You showed up for film festivals, trail runs, social posts, Strava challenges, vote tripling parties, and more to help get people to the polls. We are athletes–we know that sometimes even when we show up with courage and skill, we don’t always reach the top. We also know that we’ll get another shot, and we are at our best when the conditions are the hardest.
If you’re with us, the Outdoor State rides at dawn.
See you on the climb,
Erin Sprague
CEO
Author: Erin Sprague
Erin Sprague is the CEO of Protect our Winters (POW), where she helps outdoor enthusiasts protect the places and experiences they love from climate change. Previously, Erin built world-class brands in the outdoor industry as the Chief Brand Officer at Aspen Skiing Company; VP of Marketing at Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Sport; and Global Head […]
