We take you from being informed of what's going on in the world to being involved in making it better.
January 28, 2021 edition.
Morning, team. We’re well on our way into Biden’s first 100 days and if you’ve paid any attention to the news, you know 46 is throwing his signature down on orders left and right (tho mostly progressively left). We hope you’ve got a full cup of coffee, cause we’re breaking down what all that action really means.
Biden’s On the Progressive Hustle. How Long Can It Last?
Our new President has spent his first week in office signing dozens of headline-making executive orders. The potential for these policies to turn into lasting laws in a deeply divided Congress, however? Not too realistic. Let’s take a step back from the euphoria of a Trump changeover, and look at the inherent pendulum swing of presidential policymaking from conservative to progressive and back again, and what it takes to make change stick.
First, those executive orders. These mandates come directly from the president and require nothing but a signature. They’re the momentum to our ever-swinging political pendulum because as easily as they’re signed into place, they can be retracted by the next pres. EOs are great for immediate needs, like COVID-19 relief, but not so helpful for long-term issues like immigration.
Although Biden's executive orders are a good start for progressive action, any benefits are ephemeral if, four or eight years from now, a new president just undoes Biden’s mandates with new executive orders. To create lasting change we need Congress to pass laws. And that’s exactly why the Democrats winning the Senate run-offs in Georgia was a huge deal—it gave Biden a political majority, which means he’ll likely be able to back up those executive orders with legislation.
The crux: congressional terms are only two years. To ensure that the mandates we're cheering for now actually become the law of the land, we must rally around change-making candidates during midterm elections and reach out to our representatives to let them know what we want to see from the government. Trust us, they want to hear from you.
The Anti-LGBTQ+ Backlash to a New Administration
Speaking of kicking up dust on controversial issues every time we change presidents, more than a dozen states are now working to take away LGBTQ+ rights. As of Monday, Montana legislators advanced a bill that would prohibit transgender students from joining sports teams that reflect their gender identity as well as a bill that blocks healthcare workers from giving gender-affirming treatment to minors.
A similar narrative is playing out in Iowa, where Rep. Sandy Salmon is sponsoring a bill to prohibit trans youth from getting necessary medical care. It’s riddled with outdated claims, such as children “will outgrow” being trans and “will eventually have a gender that aligns with their sex.”
As we all learned about 60 seconds ago, this is likely happening because Biden passed pro-LGBTQ executive orders, so these politicians are doing everything they can to ensure that discrimination is alive and well at the state level. While long-term federal action may be uncertain, what we do know is that these bills will have mental and physical health consequences on trans youth if passed. Learn more about all of the anti-LGBTQ+ bills in progress, and sign the petition to protect rights here.
There’s No Time to Waste When You’re Trying to Save The Planet
Our environmental dumpster fire was stoked by last year’s copious amounts of disposable masks, gloves, and take-out containers that kept us sanitary during the pandemic. But judging by the thriving zero-waste industry, people still give a damn about the planet, even during a public health crisis.
More than 125 health experts from 18 countries signed this letter assuring us that, with proper sanitation, reusable masks, gloves, and utensils are safe to use. Now, local businesses like ZeroGrocery, a Bay Area-based online grocery service that uses reusable packaging, and Re: Earth Refill Shop, a reusable materials shop in Oklahoma, are not only helping the planet, they’re contributing to the local economy.
Give your Google search bar some love to see if there are any zero-waste shops near you. Bonus points if they’re Black-owned, like BLK + GRN.
5 More Things You Need to Know
Biden’s “All of Government” Plan for Climate, Explained
Got a headache trying to figure out what the President has in store for climate policy? Let Vox be your Advil. If that fires you up, check out EcoWatch’s story on how to keep him accountable.
USPS is About to Plug into Electric Mail Carriers, Thanks to the Biden Administration
All 645,000 federal vehicles will be replaced with American-made electric vehicles. Don’t hold your breath, though—no real timeline was given. Meanwhile …
Amazon to Invest in a Start-Up Producing "Net-Zero Carbon Fuels" For Transportation
Remember when Bezos said he would donate a cool $2 bil toward climate-change research? He’s finally making it rain on a part investment in the California-based start-up Infinium.
Canada Parliament Labels U.S. Far-right Proud Boys Group 'A Terrorist Entity'
Your move, America.
This 20-Year-Old Spent UK's COVID-19 Lockdown Fighting Period Poverty Among Refugees
Interested in getting involved? Apply here—and check out our s/o to fellow period-poverty activist, Amika George, and her new book on how to be an activist.