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 TrumpBusiness, ballots and battling opioids: Why the Universal Postal Union benefits the US Sanders supporters cry foul over Working Families endorsement of Warren California poll: Biden, Sanders lead Democratic field; Harris takes fifth 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.

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“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 BookerOvernight Energy: Top presidential candidates to skip second climate forum | Group sues for info on 'attempts to politicize' NOAA | Trump allows use of oil reserve after Saudi attacks Poll: 33 percent of voters undecided on who won third Democratic debate Jon Bon Jovi: Booker would 'do an amazing job' as president MORE (D-N.J.), Kirsten GillibrandKirsten GillibrandAt debate, Warren and Buttigieg tap idealism of Obama, FDR Trump court pick sparks frustration for refusing to answer questions Klobuchar, Buttigieg find themselves accidentally flying to debate together MORE (D-N.Y.), Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisCalifornia poll: Biden, Sanders lead Democratic field; Harris takes fifth Kamala Harris calls for new investigation into Kavanaugh allegations Poll: Biden holds five-point lead over Warren among New York Democrats MORE (D-Calif.), Amy KlobucharAmy Jean KlobucharObama, Bush among those paying tribute to Cokie Roberts: 'A trailblazing figure' Kamala Harris calls for new investigation into Kavanaugh allegations Overnight Energy: Top presidential candidates to skip second climate forum | Group sues for info on 'attempts to politicize' NOAA | Trump allows use of oil reserve after Saudi attacks MORE (D-Minn.) and Bernie SandersBernie SandersSanders supporters cry foul over Working Families endorsement of Warren California poll: Biden, Sanders lead Democratic field; Harris takes fifth Kamala Harris calls for new investigation into Kavanaugh allegations MORE (I-Vt.), former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas), South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPeter (Pete) Paul ButtigiegCalifornia poll: Biden, Sanders lead Democratic field; Harris takes fifth Buttigieg unveils disaster response plan focused on communities Poll: Biden holds five-point lead over Warren among New York Democrats MORE, former Colorado Gov. John HickenlooperJohn HickenlooperLeft off debate stage, Bullock all-in on Iowa Yang says he would not run as a third-party candidate The Hill's Morning Report - Hurricane Dorian devastates the Bahamas, creeps along Florida coast MORE, Washington Gov. Jay InsleeJay Robert InsleeThe Hill's Campaign Report: Democrats clash over future of party in heated debate 5 takeaways from fiery Democratic debate Left off debate stage, Bullock all-in on Iowa 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 WarrenSanders supporters cry foul over Working Families endorsement of Warren California poll: Biden, Sanders lead Democratic field; Harris takes fifth Kamala Harris calls for new investigation into Kavanaugh allegations 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