New Mexico’s Climate Emergency
New Mexican communities and landscapes are facing an unprecedented and catastrophic fire season, which is exacerbated by climate-change and long-standing drought. Already, the 2022 wildfire season has yielded the two largest wildfires in the state’s recorded history. We now have a shocking number of New Mexicans internally displaced by an environmental disaster. This new reality has also become a norm across the greater southwest, with record heat waves, wildfires, and drought impacting millions of people.
In recent years as the legislature has debated climate action, leaders have said that climate change is already placing a burden on New Mexico’s air, land, water, and communities. Displaced families, empty water basins, and dangerously smokey skies are our reality today, and will now be our children’s reality as well, thanks to decades of inaction. Our fellow New Mexicans from the fire and drought ravaged areas need our support during this time. But we also need our leaders to act boldly in the months ahead and embrace the wisdom and knowledge from the most impacted communities in building the path forward to an equitable zero-emission economy. We cannot allow the pain and suffering of our neighbors to be met with anything less than quick, bold and decisive action to rebuild their lives and to confront the climate crisis.
CVNM dedicates our 2022 Conservation Scorecard to the families and communities deeply affected by the climate crisis, from drought to wildfires and more. We also dedicate it to the firefighters, emergency response teams, community leaders and members who are working tirelessly to protect their communities from the impacts of this climate crisis.
A firefighter works to extinguish a wildfire.
Know the Score > Take Action
Say ‘thanks’ … or, ‘no thanks’!
Tell your Legislators that you ‘know the score’
One of the best ways to influence the voting records of your elected officials is to communicate regularly with them. If your legislators scored well, it’s important to thank them and to support them. If you feel you weren’t well-represented by your legislators’ votes, it’s important to hold them accountable by letting them know what you think about their votes. The Scorecard is your key to staying informed on your legislators votes and getting in touch with them.
Communicate with the Governor and your Legislators
Whether you’re congratulating them on their score or expressing your disappointment, be direct, courteous and polite.
The most important part is letting them know that you are paying close attention to how they vote or, in the case of the Governor, what actions she takes on legislation that affects our air, land, and water.
Calling your legislator directly and sending letters through regular mail remain by far the most effective ways to communicate with your legislators.
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor can always be contacted at the State Capitol. Except during the legislative session, state legislators should be contacted in their home districts, as listed on the current Legislators page.
To find your House District number and Representative, visit our map here.
To find your Senate District number and Senator, visit our map here.