Winter 2019 – Director’s Message
This year has been a landmark year of progress. Thanks to the election of a pro-conservation Governor and a pro-conservation House in 2018, New Mexico is one of a handful of states across the country that has made significant strides to protect our public lands, combat climate change, and support healthy, resilient communities in the face of an anti-environment and anti-science federal administration.
During this year’s legislative session, we fought hard to pass new laws that pushed New Mexico into the national spotlight. We now have a strong renewable energy standard that calls for 100% carbon-free energy by 2045. New Mexico established a new government office—the Outdoor Recreation Division—that is tasked with building a thriving ecotourism economy and increasing access for youth to the outdoors—a critical piece of much-needed diversification. The Lujan Grisham administration is also developing new standards to address New Mexico’s methane pollution problem at a time when the Trump administration is dismantling similar national rules.
That’s why CVNM is focused on making sure that our state decision-makers are implementing these policies in ways that work for all New Mexicans and protect our air, land, water and community health for future generations. More than ever before, we are engaging in advocacy spaces, from the Public Regulation Commission to the administration, to help shape the strongest possible environmental standards that uphold the integrity of New Mexicans’ shared conservation values.
The 2020 elections will be a crucial opportunity for momentum building to make sure our leaders fully address the climate crisis in the coming years. As we prepare for the election cycle, we know that New Mexico can continue to be a bright spot in a challenging national landscape. To make the critical progress we need on climate, public lands, and pollution in the years ahead, we must elect more pro-conservation legislators in the Senate to break the pro-polluter stronghold that has halted a number of environmental priorities in the last few years. We will also work to protect the pro-conservation majority in the House of Representatives, which is key to the progress New Mexico has made on climate action.
With the support of Conservation Voters like you, we can take our pro-conservation candidates over the finish line in 2020 and be well positioned to move substantial proactive policies in 2021 and beyond that will support New Mexico’s resilient communities and make us national clean energy leaders. We hope you will continue to stand with us in leading that charge.
Thank you for being a Conversation Voter,
Molly Taylor
Deputy Director of Programs
