Live Your Democracy, a Talk by Activist and Public Policy Maker, Joseph Robertson

Last month, in honor of the upcoming U.S. Midterm elections, AUP hosted climate change activist and public policy maker, Joseph Robertson. Robertson is the Global Strategy Director for the non-partisan, non-profit Citizens’ Climate Lobby and led a talk titled “Live Your Democracy: The 2018 Midterm Elections.”

The event began with an introduction by AUP President Celeste Schenck, showcasing Robertson’s work on climate policy, citizen engagement, and sustainable economics. Robertson's lecture provided valuable insight into the role of citizens in shaping the thinking and actions of government. He outlined the non-partisan model of citizen advocacy embodied by the work of Citizens’ Climate Lobby and highlighted examples of public officials working closely together, despite being rivals, citing Sen. John McCain’s relationship with President Obama. Collaborations like theirs, not necessarily on the front pages or in the spotlight, exemplify how individuals with opposing political viewpoints could still work together and pass public policy for the betterment of society. 

In an unstable political climate, both in the US and across the globe, Robertson’s words were a crucial reminder that all parties must work together, regardless of their political affiliation, in order to counter the corrosive politics that is so widespread today.