One problem with politics is that it’s easy to take an aggressive stand on climate issues when you’re running for office, but not if you’re expected to win. Those who take such a stand find it more difficult to raise money for a campaign, and if they do happen to get elected, aggressive talk often morphs into a weakening of commitment and action.
GreenPAC, a new Canadian non-profit venture launched in late March, hopes to get more political eco-champions elected federally, starting with the fall 2015 election, and make sure they follow through on their commitments.
It will do this through an independent, non-partisan expert panel, which will review all candidates from major political parties and determine which ones get an endorsement from GreenPAC. Canadian voters, through GreenPAC, can then donate campaign funding directly to those candidates that have been pre-approved.
Once the election is concluded, GreenPAC will continue to support elected candidates and make sure they make good on their pre-election commitments.
“We're the Lavalife of environmental politics," said GreenPAC founder Aaron Freeman in one TV interview. "GreenPAC is trying to take the broad support that exists for environmental issues and focus it on a few leaders that we can get elected to make a difference."
