Around the country, climate protections are on the ballot this November.

From California to Rhode Island, important climate issues and future funding are important measures for eligible voters to determine. As the damages of climate change along coasts or in the nation’s wildlife only continue, state legislatures are taking important steps to fund both research and resiliency to mitigate future damage. Here are some of the most important climate issues around the country and what to consider regarding the federal election, too.

California

Proposition 4: Parks, Environment, Energy, and Water Bond Measure

This proposition would authorize $10 billion in bonds for water preservation, wildfire prevention, and the protection of land. Advocates, including the National Wildlife Federation and CALFIRE Firefighters,  argue that this increase in funding could help various efforts to conserve natural resources and mitigate the ongoing impacts of climate change. Passing Proposition 4 would provide funding for state shifts to renewable sources of energy, reduce the effect of extreme heat, and increase water quality for California communities. 

Opponents, however, claim the nature of bond repayment should be a deterrent for taxpayers. According to the Legislative Analyst Office of California, costs to repay would be about $400 million annually over a 40-year period via general tax revenue.

Washington

Initiative Measure No. 2066: Natural Gas Policies Measure

According to leading environmental justice organization Earthjustice, ballot initiative 2066 could undo “years of hard-earned litigation and legislative victories to ensure a clean energy future for Washington.” 

The initiative aims to “prevent regulatory actions that will limit [people’s] access to gas.” According to Earthjustice, this would repeal legislation that enforces gradual transitions to clean energy and phasing out greenhouse-gas-emitting fossil fuels. Additionally, the initiative would cancel customer rebates for energy efficiency and incentives for clean energy upgrades, effectively increasing energy costs for Washingtonians.

Minnesota

Amendment 1: Continue to Provide Lottery Revenue to Environment and Natural Resources Fund Amendment

Amendment 1 on the Minnesota ballot will extend the dedication of revenue from the state-operated lottery to the state’s Environment and Natural Resources Fund. With approval from voters, the funding will be extended through 2050, increase the amount that can be spent from the fund each year on environmental projects, and establish a grant program to fund environmental education and resource conservation.

This would be the second time voters elected to extend the fund’s funding since 1998. The state of Minnesota estimates more than 1,700 projects have been funded by the lottery-sponsored fund since 1991, according to MPR News. 

Rhode Island

Question 4: Environmental and Recreational Infrastructure Bond Measure

Rhode Island’s bond measure would provide $53 million toward “environmental-related infrastructure, local recreation projects and for preservation of land.” The entirety of the proposed allocation is already budgeted for a wide range of climate resiliency projects, including flood prevention, forest and habitat management, and local improvements to infrastructure and floodplains. 

Federal 

While there may not be federal initiatives or amendments about sustainability to vote on in this election, there are major considerations for how the next administration will address the climate.

The two presidential candidates vary in issues from electric vehicle production, climate research and climate agency support. 

According to the Washington Post, former POTUS Donald Trump rolled back “125 rules and policies meant to protect the environment and lower planet-warming emissions” during his first term as president. In contrast, the Biden-Harris administration passed the Inflation Reduction Act, recognized as one of the largest federal climate efforts signed into law. 

As senator of California, Vice President Harris supported national clean-vehicle legislation while granting more than $100 million to auto manufacturers to upgrade equipment for electric vehicle production. Arguing to preserve the American automobile industry, Trump plans to roll back electric vehicle subsidies. 

The controversial Project 2025, a detailed plan for the next Republican administration contrived by conservative organizations and officials, aims to dismantle the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and greatly reduce the Environmental Protection Agency. Although the Trump campaign has denied its support of the proposal, the Hill reports it was “developed with heavy involvement from former Trump energy and environment officials.”

Vice President Harris’ proposed economic plan aims to establish an “America Forward tax credit” that incentivizes industries to reduce emissions and strengthen clean energy.