E151: Turning Climate Concern Into Votes

This week on Everybody in the Pool, we talk about one of the most direct climate actions available to all of us: voting. Nathaniel Stinnett, founder and executive director of the Environmental Voter Project, explains why the climate movement doesn’t just have a persuasion problem—it has a turnout problem. Millions of people already care deeply about climate and the environment, but don’t consistently vote, even as elections shape decisions about clean energy, pollution, and the future of climate policy. The Environmental Voter Project identifies these infrequent and non-voters using polling, publicly available voter files, and predictive models, then tests ways to help them show up. Stinnett says the organization identified 11.2 million registered environmentalists who did not vote in the 2024 presidential election. Its nonpartisan approach focuses on behavior change rather than changing minds or promoting candidates: randomized trials help determine which messages and outreach—postcards, calls, canvassing, direct mail, and digital ads—actually increase turnout. Some of the most effective messages are also counterintuitive. Instead of arguing that one vote could decide an election, the project uses social cues, reminders that peers are voting, and practical information that makes voting feel easier. Stinnett shares the group’s reported turnout gains in presidential, statewide, and local elections, why local races can have major consequences for climate policy, and how a consistent electorate can signal to politicians that climate leadership matters. We also talk about barriers to voting, the value of showing up in every election, and how listeners can volunteer to help turn climate concern into political participation. Links: Environmental Voter Project: https://www.environmentalvoter.org/ Register to vote: https://vote.gov/ All episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/ Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/ Become a member for the ad-free version of the show: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/ Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/2EsDhwQC2z Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.