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By Kathryn Carley
January 10, 2024
A new website aims to help young voters in Maine take advantage of the historic climate progress being made through the Inflation Reduction Act.
The legislation puts the United States on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030, create millions of clean energy jobs and help Americans reduce their own energy bills.
Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez, president and executive director of the group NextGen America, said young voters were essential in the bill’s passage and deserve to reap the benefits, and explains what they will find on the website.
“It’s a resource guide,” Ramirez explained. “It’s also celebrating the win that young people have had, and it’s a call to action to continue the fight to win more.”
Ramirez pointed out the website features links to clean energy job boards and information about the energy rebates available for purchases of electric vehicles, solar panels or appliances. It also urges users to continue pushing for climate action by writing and calling their representatives.
Surveys show climate change remains a top priority for young voters leading into the 2024 presidential election. It is also an issue they are more likely to amplify through social media campaigns to pressure lawmakers into action.
Ramirez emphasized young voters understand they will inherit the long-term consequences of climate change and are willing to put in the time and effort to counter it.
“I don’t think we would have the single largest investment by any country on the planet to tackle the climate crisis if it were not for young people voting at the highest numbers in American history in 2020,” Ramirez asserted.
Ramirez cited the Biden administration’s creation of the Climate Corps, an initiative to train young people in skills needed for jobs in the growing green economy. The new website, she added, highlights the stories of people who’ve already taken advantage of the program and other initiatives to earn higher salaries while working to save the planet.