This spring, MNIPL volunteers and staff coordinated meetings with 10 Minnesota State Senators. Constituents of faith and conscience shared why they care about climate change and the urgency of passing critical climate legislation this session. We advocated for investing in clean electricity and transportation, making state buildings more energy-efficient and climate-resilient, and strengthening the state’s environmental permitting process. 

In a meeting with Sen. Susan Kent (District 53, Woodbury), Wally Wadd, a member at The Grove United Methodist Church, talked about a sinkhole that formed near his home after an extreme rainstorm. This event caused him to more seriously consider the impacts of climate change and become engaged in activism. 

In total, more than 70 people attended these meetings and engaged in meaningful conversations with their State Senators. Both the attendees and the legislators came away with a deeper understanding of the issues and renewed conviction to advocate for systemic change to create a just and sustainable future. 

In addition to organizing these 10 meetings, MNIPL has helped people of faith and conscience send over 900 messages to elected officials encouraging them to support climate legislation at the Capitol.