Why Every Environmentalist Needs to Fill Out The 2020 Census

It’s that time of year… and that time of the decade. By now, you probably know that this upcoming November 3rd, the United States presidential election will take place. It’s everyone’s civic duty to vote, and we highly encourage you to cast your ballot and support candidates and measures that take the future of our environment into account. 2020 has been a whirlwind of political events and action, but there’s another civic duty you shouldn’t forget about: filling out the United States census.

The Census takes place every ten years in the US and helps gather data about communities across the country. These data are then used to determine federal funding for local schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and other community projects. For the next ten years, the data gathered from the census will provide important statistics that relate to environmental justice and policy, like population density and demographics. Essentially, filling out the Census provides legislators with the statistics they need to implement effective policy at a local level. 

Filling out the Census also is critical to closing the gap between local governments and federal funding, especially when it comes to environmental goals. According to Census.gov, “Responses to the 2020 Census will inform funding for programs such as Federal Transit Capital Investment Grants that can be used for public transportation and Water Pollution Control grants.” Also, the results from the 2020 Census will determine the number of seats each state has in Congress, which can lead to increased political representation in areas that need it.

These next ten years are also critical for environmental decision-making. In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly President María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés famously declared that we only had 11 years to avoid a global environmental crisis. If we (and the data that we use to represent our communities) don’t change by 2030, we could face catastrophe across the world. The news isn’t bad per se, but it is important. 

If we want to see progress, we have to exercise our individual power and make our voices heard at all levels of government. Could your community benefit from improved, green public transit? Do you want to improve air or water quality where you live? Do you want there to be more access to clean energy? The 2020 Census takes ten minutes to fill out at https://my2020census.gov/, and it’s a step toward a greener, healthier, and more equitable United States. Do your part and participate, the planet (and your friends at EMA) will thank you later. 

By Sophia Donskoi