Hi John,

To be pro-environment, we must be anti-corruption. 

It's impossible to talk about the root causes of climate change without talking about corruption. Big Money is a big driver of how the government handles climate issues and when Big Money rigs the system in its favor, the planet pays the price. Let's break it down: 

First, legalized corruption can help spawn environmental disasters. Human-made disasters are frequently made worse by weakened environmental protections, protections that the industry actors responsible for the disasters frequently lobbied to weaken. 

Even when the results aren't an ecological disaster, companies spend freely to try and prevent or roll back environmental regulations. That can be through corporate lobbying, or by attempting to elect politicians who support the corporate agenda. In the 2024 election, for example, oil and gas companies donated more than $75 million to Trump PACs. And just two weeks ago, the administration issued an executive order removing legal restrictions imposed by state laws and policies related to climate change. Or, in plain language, they are rolling back many state laws aimed at protecting the climate, in ways that favor energy companies instead.

Worst of all, none of this is illegal. Organizations are allowed to spend virtually unlimited buckets of cash on lobbying, and there's a revolving door between lobbyists and those who serve in government.  

At RepresentUs, we believe the government should prioritize people over profit. And we're working to ensure that our system of checks and balances is strengthened so corrupt special interests no longer have free rein. Will you help the movement blossom?