Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean if a candidate supports the Evergreen Future platform?
The Evergreen Future platform is a comprehensive vision for making progress on the most pressing environmental challenges facing our state. When a candidate supports the Evergreen Future platform, it means that they are part of a team of leaders committed to advancing the solutions we need to have a healthy place to live as well as responsible and reliable economic opportunity today and for generations to come.
How does Evergreen Future help me hold my elected officials accountable?
Evergreen Future provides a way to track progress being made for our environment and identify issues where we are falling behind. As a result, the platform and campaign will help provide more transparency and information on critical issues in our state and where elected leaders stand. Leaders who are stepping up and making the progress should be applauded and recognized for that success. Leaders who are opposed or holding back will need to engage with their constituents and provide answers on their position. Last but not least, throughout the four years of the Evergreen Future campaign, Washington Conservation Voters will provide the public and voters with updates and opportunities for action to advance the policies in the platform.
Why is environmental progress a priority during a public health pandemic and economic recession?
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed our lives. Many of us prioritize the importance of public health more than ever before. We have a better understanding of the connections between pollution exposure, diseases like asthma, and the heightened vulnerability of frontline communities. We know that leaders who respect science and expertise give us the best chance of avoiding the worst impacts of a crisis. For some, the pandemic has challenged many assumptions on the need to commute to work. Oil prices are at record lows, and we face an unprecedented opportunity to rebuild our economy with clean energy and apply just transition principles for workers and frontline communities in our economic recovery.
The pandemic has resulted in remarkable challenges and devastating losses. At the same time, we have opportunities to apply lessons from the pandemic to shape a better future. The environment, where we live, our health, and our ability to support our families are all connected, and now is the time to apply the lessons we’ve learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to provide more security for the future. Evergreen Future is designed to galvanize leadership on a shared vision for applying the lessons we’ve learned to provide a healthier, more equitable future for all.
Is the Evergreen Future campaign related to the Evergreen New Deal?
Evergreen Future is an effort led by Washington Conservation Voters to inform our endorsement process and election work. The Evergreen New Deal is a state version of the national Green New Deal. The two efforts are rooted in a shared desire to accomplish positive change in people’s lives and address the biggest environmental challenges of our time. Although they are separate brands and efforts, both are complimentary and mutually supportive.