Al Gore Crave

Dolores Huerta was an indomitable force for justice for farm workers, immigrants, and those who are too often denied a voice in the decisions that impact their lives and livelihoods. She was a pioneer in the environmental justice movement, having seen the harm that extreme heat, pesticides, and other environmental threats have had on farm workers. Her courage to speak out against injustice must inspire us to use our voices to challenge inequity and wrongdoing. We must remember the spirit of her rallying cry, "¡Sí, se puede!" and draw inspiration from her persistence as well as her optimism as we navigate our own turbulent times. My heart goes out to her family, colleagues, and everyone feeling this loss deeply.

In one of her many memorable hit songs, Dolly Parton famously sang about a “9 to 5” job that was “all taking and no giving.” So, in looking back on her amazing legacy, it's fitting to remember her for all her giving to others throughout her life: all the joy she gave us all with her incredibly beautiful songwriting, her captivating voice, and her endless creative pursuits. The 300 million free books she gave to children across America and around the world through her Imagination Library. All the fun she gave to families who visited Dollywood. The crucial funding and support she gave for medical research into pediatric cancer, infectious diseases, and not least, the Moderna COVID vaccine. She gave funding to provide shelter and food for the victims of disasters. I’m especially grateful for all that she gave back to our beloved home state of Tennessee. For many, her lasting gift is the inspiration to give back to our own communities with the same passion, humor, and conviction as Dolly. God bless her and may she rest in peace. We will always love her!

The fossil fuel industry is pushing legislation that would ban local governments from working to eliminate greenhouse gas pollution. Today at the ALEC annual meeting, a committee co-chaired by the American Gas Association will push state legislators to prohibit policies that pursue "science-based" and "100% clean energy" targets, among others. Florida has already passed similar legislation and now the fossil fuel industry is trying to replicate these laws across the country. As we feel the impacts of fires, floods, and heatwaves made worse by the climate crisis, we can't let special interests hack our democracy. Be on the lookout for this legislation in your state and speak out against it where these policies are introduced.

¡Gracias Santiago! Last week I had the honor of leading the 63rd @ClimateReality Leadership Training in Chile. I was astounded by the passion for climate action in that room. These newly trained Climate Reality Leaders will help shape Chile's role in the just and sustainable future we're building together worldwide. Communities in Chile are on the front lines of this crisis, facing the impacts of drought, water insecurity, sea level rise, among many others. But Chile is also a country with a burgeoning clean energy industry that is creating jobs and increasing energy security. Today, climate leadership in Chile matters more than ever. I'm so grateful to everyone who participated, shared their stories, served as mentors, and are committed to continuing this work.

250 years ago, our founders declared our nation’s independence and embarked on a great American experiment. They created a system of government built on the consent of the governed — one that could evolve and grow as the nation itself grew and changed. America is at its best when we work together in pursuit of a more perfect union. As we celebrate 250 years of our great nation, we must recommit ourselves to this noble, foundational effort.