Green groups launch the 'Beat Trump Presidential Climate Unity Fund'

By Rebecca Beitsch - 04/30/19 09:49 AM EDT
 
Green groups launch the 'Beat Trump Presidential Climate Unity Fund'
© Getty Images

Environmental groups are teaming together to create a “Beat Trump Presidential Climate Unity Fund,” kicking off a fundraising effort to boost the eventual Democratic nominee by targeting green-minded voters.

Calling President TrumpDonald John TrumpFive takeaways from the Democratic debate As Buttigieg rises, Biden is still the target Leading Democrats largely pull punches at debate MORE “the most anti-environmental president ever,” the fund, announced Tuesday, will hold on to as much as $5,600 per voter until a Democratic nominee is selected.

The political wings of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the Natural Resources Defense Council and NextGen America started the fund with the hope of raising $1 million for the future nominee.

ADVERTISEMENT
“While Democratic presidential candidates will have spent the primary season demonstrating a real commitment to climate action to the voters, Trump will have spent this time building his coffers from his polluting corporate donors,” Gene Karpinski, President of LCV Victory Fund. “We want to help the eventual Democratic nominee hit the ground running, empowered by voters across the country to fight for our environment in the general election.”

Voters will also be able to make direct donations to what the groups have determined are “leading pro-environment 2020 presidential candidates.”

Sens. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerFive takeaways from the Democratic debate As Buttigieg rises, Biden is still the target Leading Democrats largely pull punches at debate MORE (D-N.J.), Kirsten GillibrandKirsten GillibrandMaloney primary challenger calls on her to return, donate previous campaign donations from Trump Senate confirms controversial circuit court nominee She Should Run launches initiative to expand number of women in political process MORE (D-N.Y.), Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisFive takeaways from the Democratic debate Gabbard, Buttigieg battle over use of military in Mexico Leading Democrats largely pull punches at debate MORE (D-Calif.), Amy KlobucharAmy Jean KlobucharFive takeaways from the Democratic debate As Buttigieg rises, Biden is still the target Leading Democrats largely pull punches at debate MORE (D-Minn.) and Bernie SandersBernie SandersFive takeaways from the Democratic debate As Buttigieg rises, Biden is still the target Leading Democrats largely pull punches at debate MORE (I-Vt.), former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas), South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPeter (Pete) Paul ButtigiegFive takeaways from the Democratic debate As Buttigieg rises, Biden is still the target Gabbard, Buttigieg battle over use of military in Mexico MORE, former Colorado Gov. John HickenlooperJohn HickenlooperKrystal Ball dismisses Rahm Emanuel's 'Medicare for All' criticism as a 'corporatist mantra' Trump says remark about Colorado border wall was made 'kiddingly' Colorado governor mocks Trump for saying he's building wall there MORE, Washington Gov. Jay InsleeJay Robert InsleeO'Rourke ends presidential bid Sunrise Movement organizer: Sanders, Warren boast strongest climate change plans Overnight Energy: Farmers say EPA reneged on ethanol deal | EPA scrubs senators' quotes from controversial ethanol announcement | Perry unsure if he'll comply with subpoena | John Kerry criticizes lack of climate talk at debate MORE, are all on the list and the groups say more could be added in the future.

Inslee has pitched himself as the climate change candidate, while Booker and O’Rourke each recently rolled out climate-related plans of their own.

Candidate and Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenFive takeaways from the Democratic debate As Buttigieg rises, Biden is still the target Leading Democrats largely pull punches at debate MORE (D-Mass.), who is not part of the platform, included environmental policies as part of her public lands policy package.

To quality, candidates must commit to achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2050, recommit the U.S. to the Paris Climate Accord, and reject contributions from fossil fuels and coal companies. 
 
They also must explain what personally motivates them to make the climate crisis a top priority as president, with many of the prompts closely tracking the messages candidates have pushed on the campaign trail.
 
Inslee has branded himself the climate change candidate but focused on his role as a grandparent in motivating his work.
 
"This is the most important work that we can do for our three grandchildren and for grandchildren across the country--to devote ourselves to ensuring their lives and futures are not degraded by a world racked by unabated climate change," he wrote in a two-page essay.
 
Sanders focused on the role played by lobbyists in avoiding action.
 
"We are long overdue for taking this threat seriously, due in large part to the hundreds of millions of dollars and armies of lobbyists deployed by multinational fossil fuel corporations to protect their profits," he said.
 
Buttigieg highlighted his youth as an asset for tackling the problem.
 
"My generation will be on the business end of climate change, and in fact we are already seeing its enormous impacts right now in our communities," he said.
 
 
Tags Kirsten Gillibrand John Hickenlooper Elizabeth Warren Pete Buttigieg Bernie Sanders Amy Klobuchar Kamala Harris Donald Trump Cory Booker Jay Inslee Climate change 2020 election Environment Democratic primaries