In this newsletter: Big Climate Wins | Council Elections
DNC Internships | Our Campaigning in GA, OH | DEN Updates
Council on the Road 🚙 & On Capitol Hill | Call for Climate Stories!
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Hello Climate Activist,
Election Day 2025 felt good.
Blowout victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City made it a great night for Democrats and the country. But a race that was far less high-profile, and one that barely registered in the election coverage, may actually prove to be the most important as Democrats look to how to build on Tuesday’s big wins for 2026 and beyond.
While much of the attention has understandably been focused on Election Day’s marquee races, in Georgia, a state Donald Trump carried in 2024, two Democrats won a statewide race for Public Service Commission. And in doing so put Democrats in office on the commission for the first time in nearly 20 years.
While winning two seats on a Public Service Commission is not going to generate nationwide headlines, the wins — in a purple state with a key Senate race coming up in 2026 — may be more of a roadmap for Democrats for 2026 and beyond than the more high-profile wins in deep blue states.
Because here’s the reality: even in light of this week’s tremendous victories, the Democratic Party is in a deep hole. And we’re not going to get out of that hole by only investing in, and winning, high-visibility contests. We also need to invest time, resources and organizing power in down-ballot races — where the future of power is built.
And that is what we are focused on at the Council. It is why I spent time in Georgia before the election working on these races. That is why I am in Louisiana right now. And it is why I will be traveling the country over the next year. Because we win when we organize, organize, and organize some more. And we win when we stand up and fight against Donald Trump’s dangerous policies. And that is what we will double down on.
In solidarity,
Michelle
Michelle Deatrick
Chair, DNC Council on the Environment and Climate Crisis
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OFFICER ELECTIONS & MEETING: Dynamic Speakers & Panel Discussion in Minneapolis
Council members and leaders of state Democratic Environmental Network councils and caucuses gathered in Minneapolis, coming from as far away as Florida and the Northern Mariana Islands. At our packed, energetic meeting, members unanimously re-elected founder Michelle Regalado Deatrick as Chair and Paul Presendieu as Youth Engagement Director, and elected DNC Member Howard Chou as Vice Chair.
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The Council is grateful to our inspiring speakers: MN State Rep. Athena Hollins, Sierra Club North Star Legislative Director Peter Wagenius, MN DFL Environmental Caucus Chair Mathew Doll, and Indigenous Peoples Task Force Director Sharon Day.
The response to our panel discussion, Environmental Messaging in Rural Communities, was very enthusiastic. The panel featured climate champions MN State Senator Mary Kunesh, MN State Rep. Kristi Pursell, and DNC Climate Council Native Engagement Director Ruth Anna Buffalo: heartfelt gratitude to them for joining us and sharing their insights!
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🚨APPLY: DNC Internship Opportunities
The DNC is accepting applications for its Spring 2026 Internship programs. Interns receive a stipend and fill roles ranging from civic engagement to technology positions. These are great opportunities! Application deadline is Friday, November 28.
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COUNCIL CAMPAIGNS FOR CLIMATE CHAMPS: Georgia and Ohio
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Congratulations to these great climate champions who won their elections! The Council launched canvasses and phone banks, campaigned at events, and at the doors in Georgia for the Public Service Commission races and municipal races.
In Georgia, Public Service Commissioners-elect Dr. Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard made history with landslide wins, which flipped two statewide seats in the swing state from red to blue. This is a big victory for affordable, renewable energy!
We were also excited to make calls and co-host phone banking to elect young Democratic climate champion PJ Errera to the Kent, Ohio School Board.
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🌱UPDATES: Democratic Environmental Network (DEN)
The Network of state and national Democratic Environmental organizations continues to grow and gain momentum.
Nebraska Update: Congratulations to April Thompson and Ean Rye-Craft on their elections as Chair and Vice Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Climate Council! Chair Thompson shared this report on the NDCC’s work and their plans for 2026. Contact or join the Nebraska Democratic Climate Council via email or Facebook.
Georgia Update: Roy Taylor, founder and former Chair of Greening Georgia, the GA Democrats environmental caucus, campaigned in Georgia’s elections and provided key support to Chair Deatrick as she helped with those races.
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🌏 COUNCIL ON THE ROAD: OK, NY, WI, MI
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Oklahoma: Organizing Tour with the OK Democratic Party and OK College Dems
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At town halls, rallies, and College Dems meetings, Chair Deatrick joined the Oklahoma Democratic Party’s energetic and successful Organizing Tour. The Council expresses our gratitude to the great team at the Oklahoma Democratic Party and the Young Democrats of Oklahoma — and terrific President Avery McIntyre — for organizing an important week of outreach.
Oklahomans everywhere expressed concern about the proliferation of data centers and the harms to electricity rates, water access — and the impacts of AI on jobs. Other environmental concerns discussed included the Tar Creek Superfund Site, abandoned oil wells (Oklahoma has over 18,000), and federal cuts to farmers engaging in sustainable agricultural practices.
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New York: NYC Climate Week
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GreenLatinos. Council Officers Paul Presendieu and Michelle Deatrick were in NYC for Climate Week. As members of GreenLatinos, they attended GreenLatinos and UPROSE’s State of Nuestro Clima event: a day of culture, resistance, and climate justice focused on displacement and colonialism in the time of the climate crisis.
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Leadership in Climate Civics Panel. We Act 4 Change’s Paul Presendieu (also the Council’s Youth Engagement Director) moderated an important panel discussion, Leadership in Climate Civics, co-sponsored by the DNC Climate Council. Discussion was pragmatic, focused on transforming environmental concerns into effective political action. The panel featured Council Chair Deatrick, New York State Sierra Club Political Chair President Edward Berry, and Manhattan Young Democrats President Liz Cohen. Watch the panel.
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Wisconsin: Organizing at the Crossroads Panel
With WI LG Rodriquez, Chair Deatrick, WisDems Enviro Caucus Chair
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Discussion at this dynamic workshop, co-hosted by the Wisconsin Democratic Environmental and Rural Caucuses, Town Talk Road podcast, and the DNC Climate Council, focused on the intersection of rural and environmental issues and centered the importance of active listening, storytelling, messaging, and messengers. Additional speakers included Milwaukee County Exec David Crowley, Podcast host Rebecca Powell, and Wis Dems Rural Caucus Chair Gloria Hochstein. Watch the panel.
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Michigan: Council Sponsors Sun Day Celebration
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The Climate Council co-sponsored, tabled and registered voters at this celebration — one of hundreds across the country — of wind, solar, and geothermal power in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
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🏆 NOMINATE: Climate Leadership Awards
Know a great climate leader at the national, state, tribal or local level? Nominate them (or yourself!) for ecoAmerica's American Climate Leadership Awards — which features a special youth category.
Nominate A Climate Leader.
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🏛️ ON CAPITOL HILL: Advocating for Children’s Rights to a Climate Future
Washington, DC: The DNC Climate Council endorsed a Congressional Resolution, Children’s Fundamental Rights to Life and a Stable Climate System. Chair Deatrick — along with nearly 50 members of the High School Democrats of America, Council Advisor Lake Liao, and Florida Dems Environmental Caucus President Judy Freiberg — participated in a Capitol Hill Rally and Press Conference, organized by Our Children’s Trust. The Resolution recognizes children’s rights and the urgent need to oppose Trump’s anti-clean energy and anti-climate science directives.
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📣 CALL TO ACTION: Share your Climate Frontlines Story
Short quotes, videos — how is climate change affecting you? Have you experienced a heat wave? Asthma worse from wildfires? Flash flooding? Can’t get home insurance? We will share and amplify: This is one of the most powerful ways to make a difference.
Share your story.
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