Greens launch operation to mobilize volunteers in key Senate races

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) has launched a grassroots operation to mobilize its members as volunteers in nine Senate races that they say are crucial to environmental progress.

The operation, dubbed GreenRoots, is being launched in Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Oregon.

{mosads}LCV says they plan on recruiting 2,500 of its members to work 5,000 volunteer shifts for Sens. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).

Volunteers will also work for Democratic Senate candidates Bruce Braley (Iowa), Michelle Nunn (Ga.), and Gary Peters (Mich.)

“LCV’s GreenRoots program is recruiting our members to volunteer on key Senate races between now and Election Day, and the early response has been fantastic,” said Tiernan Sittenfeld, senior vice president of government affairs for LCV.

Nearly all of the races LCV is working on are crucial for Democrats to keep their majority in the Senate.

“It’s clear that LCV members appreciate how hard these candidates work to fight climate change and protect public health and the environment, and now our members are working hard to make sure these candidates win on Election Day,: Sittenfeld added.

LCV is expecting to spend a record amount on the midterms this year, roughly $25 milling on campaigns.

That’s a five-fold increase from the last midterms and LCV isn’t alone.

A number of green groups and climate activists have called the 2014 elections a crucial year in putting climate change and other environmental issues on the map.