West of 105 Gives a Flake

Give a Flake / www.mattpowerphotography.com

Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or independent, climate change is real and it is happening. Not content to sit back and see what happens when it comes to effects of climate change, Aspen Skiing Company’s new campaign is taking the fight for our climate to those who have the power to make a difference - and the company is asking you to join them as they tell officials at the local, state, and national level to Give a Flake.

Started in September of this year, the “Give a Flake” campaign is pretty on the nose when it comes to its aims: Climate change has reached a point where solving it requires solutions at scale. The only way to make that happen is to elect officials who will be leaders on climate, mainly by supporting renewable energy and limiting carbon emissions.

On a national level, the Give A Flake campaign zeros in on three Senators who are swing votes on climate policy: Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski, Maine’s Susan Collins, and Ohio’s Rob Portman, each of whom has expressed a clear understanding of the science of climate change yet has failed to take meaningful action on the issue. To push them on the issue, Give A Flake advertisements in national magazines will feature tear-out, pre-paid postage cards for readers to sign and mail to those Senators urging them to act on climate change. The letters will also be available at the properties and resorts operated by Aspen Skiing Company for guests to sign and send.

But the midterm elections offer a chance to make difference at all levels of government. And #Aspen Skiing Company is offering to help you do your research and find out who to vote for if your want to make a difference on climate change.

And while it is relatively easy, in most cases, to vote for those who will fight for climate change by simply voting Democratic, it isn’t quite that simple. Republicans, like Carlos Curbelo of Florida, are slowly opening their eyes to the reality of climate change and taking action, and at the same time there are Democrats who are not leading on climate as much you might think or hope.

Here are a few resources to help you ahead of the coming elections this fall: 1. REGISTER TO VOTE

The first step is to make sure you are registered to vote. Not sure how? Rock the Vote is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to building the political power of young people, and they provide resources to learn more about voter registration in your state, voting rights, and more, including a quick check to see if and where you are personally registered to vote. Visit rockthevote.org to learn more. 2. KNOW THE CLIMATE LEADERS IN YOUR AREA The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) works to make environmental values national, state, and local priorities. Each election cycle, LCV provides a list of candidate endorsements. Visit lcv.org to see if your candidate has been endorsed. 3. SEE HOW YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS STACK UP Since 1970, the National Environmental Scorecard has been providing objective, factual information about important environmental legislation and the corresponding voting records of all members of Congress. The scorecard represents the consensus of experts from about twenty respected environmental and conservation organizations. It’s the nationally accepted yardstick used to rate members of Congress on environmental, public health, and energy issues. Check the score of the candidates in your area by visiting scorecard.lcv.org. 4. EDUCATE YOURSELF The Campus Election Engagement Project (CEEP) creates nonpartisan guides to educate and inform users about key issues, elections, and policies in order to reduce barriers to voting. Explore their resources and get educated on any topics you may be unfamiliar with. Visit campuselect.org to read more.

If you’re fortunate enough to live in an area where your local, state and national representatives are already climate champions, why not give them a call and thank them for being climate champions and encourage them to keep up the good fight by clicking here.

If the opposite is true you can call out climate change deniers by clicking here.

By clicking the two links above, Protect Our Winters will track down your elected officials. When you are ready, they will place the call and provide you with a script to follow so you have some great talking points. Call once or call every day.

For more information, visit GiveAFlake.com and to reach out to every state’s national representatives through directed Tweets and printable letters to Congress, and make your voice heard and take action for the climate, the planet, and the powder you love.

Share this on social media using the hashtags #GiveaFlake #TheAspenWay #AspenSnowmass as well as #Westof 105 and #CrosstheMeridian and by tagging @Wesof105 and @AspenSnowmass