Michigan’s future includes lower monthly energy costs, the freedom to live without pollution, and more good-paying jobs and a growing middle class. Michigan’s economy is surging, supercharged by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and a suite of nation-leading clean energy bills passed by the Michigan state government last November. Michigan now has more clean energy projects than any other state and is ranked fourth in the country for new clean energy jobs. Clean energy businesses, which are creating jobs and growing the state’s workforce, are the first to say it: They are planting their stakes in Michigan, largely thanks to strong climate policies. The latest analysis from 5 Lakes Energy (PDF) shows that the state’s climate legislation package, in tandem with the IRA, goes way beyond cutting climate pollution. It will create economy-wide change by saving Michigan families hundreds of dollars in energy bills, bringing more clean energy jobs and investments into the state, and protecting communities from the harmful effects of pollution.

Providing a better life for future generations is consistently voters’ top rationale for addressing global warming. Preventing extreme weather has also become a more salient reason in recent years. Nearly half of voters (47%) say that providing “a better life for our children and grandchildren” is one of the most important reasons to reduce global warming, more than any other rationale tested in their polling. In Yale and GMU’s polls going back to 2017, providing a better life for future generations has consistently ranked as the top rationale for action among voters overall, among Democrats, and among Republicans. Extreme weather is rising as a rationale for climate action after several historic years of extreme heat and weather disasters. Yale and GMU find that “preventing extreme weather events” (37%) is now tied with “preventing the destruction of most life on the planet” (37%) as the next-most compelling rationale for climate action after “providing a better life for future generations.” Helping to prevent extreme weather has risen in salience over the past several years. Voters are nine points more likely to rate it among the top rationales for climate action now (37%) than they were in 2017 (28%), and it has increased as a rationale among both Democrats and Republicans over that period.

Voters across party lines support legal action to hold the plastics and fossil fuel industries accountable for plastic pollution. 70% of voters support officials in their state taking legal action against the plastics and fossil fuel industries for their role in plastic pollution, after learning that similar legal action is being considered in other states. Support for this type of legal action spans partisan lines, with 88% of Democrats, 66% of independents, and 54% of Republicans in favor. Even as they incorrectly believe that close to half of plastics are recycled, large majorities of voters are concerned about each of the following forms of plastic pollution: plastic waste in the ocean, rivers, and other waterways – 93% concerned, including 63% who are “very” concerned; microplastics in the human body – 91% concerned, 46% “very” concerned; plastic litter in your community – 84% concerned, 41% “very” concerned; plastic waste in landfills – 83% concerned, 42% “very” concerned.

Solar continues to be voters’ favorite source of energy, with most saying that it’s good for the economy and costs. Pro-solar arguments consistently win in head-to-head messaging tests against common criticisms about reliability, land use, and supply chains. 84% of voters support the construction of a utility-scale solar farm near their own community. 75% of voters agree that solar power is good for America’s economy. 74% of voters agree that increasing our use of solar power would save American families money. 74% of voters agree that their electric utility should get more of its electricity from solar power. 66% of voters agree that solar power creates good-paying jobs.

This guide aims to ensure that frontline communities can better understand and actively engage in the energy transition. This guide can serve as a valuable resource for energy justice advocates by simplifying the intricacies of utility regulation and providing essential tools, resources, and strategies. The guide breaks down the sometimes complicated world of energy regulation, providing explanations of key concepts such as Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs), rate cases, and the role of Public Utility Commissions (PUCs). Learn about typical processes that happen at utility commissions, including public hearings and stakeholder engagement opportunities. This includes tips on preparing effective public comments, participating in public hearings, and collaborating with other advocates to make a real difference in shaping energy policies. Find actionable recommendations tailored to community organizations, policymakers, and regulators. Explore real-world examples of advocacy efforts that have led to positive changes in energy policy.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including lots of new polling on climate and the environment as issues in this year’s election, new polling of Latino voters, new polling about conservation in the states that touch the Mississippi River, and new polling about clean energy infrastructure siting in California.

One challenge that climate policy folks are working on is developing the supply chain to make batteries in the U.S. There has been an epic battle over the past 20 years between two types of lithium-ion batteries: nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP). While NMC still boasts better energy density, LFP is making a major comeback thanks to its safer, more accessible materials and improving performance. However, China still dominates the LFP supply chain. In this episode, CEO Vivas Kumar of startup Mitra Chem weighs in on why America needs domestic production of LFP materials.

Seven in ten voters support the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) when they see a basic explanation of it. Voters support the IRA by an overwhelming 71%-20% margin when provided with the following description: “The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 invests over $430 billion in clean energy and Affordable Care Act healthcare premiums. It also allows Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices and pays down the national debt by $300 billion.” Data for Progress also finds that the IRA continues to hold a significant amount of cross-party appeal, with nearly nine in ten Democrats (89%), more than two-thirds of independents (72%), and half of Republicans (52%) saying that they support the law based on the description that the poll provided. Advocates have a strong case that workers and lower/middle class families stand to benefit most from the law. Majorities of voters believe that workers or jobseekers (64%) and middle and lower class Americans (62%) will benefit from the IRA after learning about the law’s major climate and health care provisions.

Nearly two-thirds of Latino voters prefer a president who prioritizes climate action over one who prioritizes oil and gas. Latino voters widely agree that extreme weather is becoming worse because of climate change and increasing their utility bills. 83% of Latino voters are concerned about air and water pollution, including 49% who are “very concerned” about it. 78% of Latino voters are concerned about climate change, including 46% who are “very concerned” about it. 65% of Latino voters agree that “we need a president who is committed to addressing climate change and extreme weather and who will make it a key priority of their policy agenda”. 67% of Latino voters agree that extreme weather events are increasing in frequency, and 72% attribute them to climate change.

Here are 5 insights for climate activists from the science of well-being. Your mental health matters for saving the planet; protect yourself and your team by fighting burnout; learn to embrace and allow negative emotions; give yourself the gift of self-compassion; embrace skeptical hope to gain energy and agency. In this video, psychology professor Dr. Laurie Santos discussed how the climate community can apply these strategies to work more effectively and avoid burnout. Two distinct methods are described. First, the RAIN method (by Tara Brach): recognize what is happening; allow feeling to be just as it is; investigate with interest & care; nurture with self-compassion. Second, the steps of self-compassion (by Kristin Neff): mindfulness (“I’m struggling”, “this is hard right now”); common humanity (“this is something everyone deals with”, “I’m only human”); self-kindness (“what do I need right now?”, “what can I take off my plate?”).