OEC Collective Vision
A clean, healthy Ohio where our democracy empowers all communities to thrive in harmony with the environment.
OEC Action Fund Mission
To protect the environment and health of all Ohio communities by electing climate champions, holding public officials accountable, and advancing environmental justice policies.
OEC Action Fund Core Values
Our core values are deeply ingrained principles that guide the OEC Action Fund’s actions and decisions. At the OEC Action Fund, we are:
- Science-based: Data-driven, Accurate, Dependable
- Equitable: Inclusive, Just, Community-focused
- Strategic: Outcome-oriented, Innovative, Persistent
- Collaborative: Trustworthy, Networked, Accountable
- Pragmatic: Principled, Effective, Bipartisan
OEC Action Fund Theory of Change
Climate change is an existential threat directly impacting our daily lives. Despite Ohio’s massive contribution to global emissions, state lawmakers’ resistance to taking bold climate action remains a significant barrier to the just future we envision for all Ohio communities. Gerrymandered districts shield lawmakers from accountability and remove guardrails to prevent corruption. Entrenched, deep-pocketed opposition further prevents climate action and sensible environmental regulation.
As Ohio communities continue to confront the current realities of climate change and the legacy impacts of environmental injustice, the OEC Collective’s policy advocacy and legal efforts at all levels of government are more important than ever. Specifically, the OEC Action Fund develops political power at all levels of government to advance strong policies.
The OEC Action Fund identifies, engages, educates, elects, and empowers climate champions across Ohio. We advocate for effective policies to reduce greenhouse emissions, expand clean energy access, improve water quality, and protect our public lands. We pursue foundational reforms to repair Ohio’s democracy and directly address obstacles to climate action. We educate and hold decision-makers accountable. We mobilize Ohioans — including our members, community partners, and coalitions — to take action and influence local, state, and federal policies.
As a result of the OEC Action Fund’s efforts:
- Climate champions are in decision-making roles at all levels of government
- Ohio’s democracy will be more representative of our population given fair maps and increased voter participation
- Key environmental justice policies are secured through lobbying, direct democracy, and advocacy:
- Ohio’s greenhouse gas emissions decrease
- Access to and ownership of reliable, affordable, and clean energy increases statewide
- Access to protected public lands expands
- Water quality improves from source to tap across the state
- Ohio’s environmental movement grows
The pressure to protect our environment and our democracy is building — but so is the momentum. We continue to strategically seize opportunities to make accelerated progress on Ohio’s most pressing environmental issues. After successfully advocating for historic federal climate investments, the OEC Collective is making sure that funding is implemented equitably across Ohio. And after successfully coming together across issue areas to defeat the attack on Ohio’s direct democracy in the August 2023 Special Election, we’re working together again to ensure a fair redistricting process. This important work continues.
Together, we can secure a clean, healthy Ohio where our democracy empowers all communities to thrive in harmony with the environment.