Olympian Jessie Diggins Advocates for Environmental Change on Capitol Hill
Olympian Jessie Diggins recently visited Capitol Hill to advocate for environmental issues alongside the athlete-driven group "Protect Our Winters." Diggins, a decorated cross-country skier, expressed her concerns about climate change and the impact it could have on future generations. She emphasized the importance of clean air, clean water, and a healthy planet for her great-grandkids and the preservation of outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, and fishing.
Having retired from professional ski racing after winning a bronze medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Diggins brought her medals to Washington as a symbol of her commitment to advocating for change. She hopes to engage in productive conversations with lawmakers to strengthen environmental regulations and promote bipartisan efforts to protect the environment. The group aims to address long-term solutions for climate change and emphasize the importance of safeguarding the planet for future generations.
Protect Our Winters, which includes athletes like Diggins, Brody Leven, Jaelin Kauf, Gus Schumacher, Bea Kim, Julia Kern, and Olivia Giaccio, plans to meet with members of Congress from both parties. They are focused on advocating for policies that address climate change and protect human health and the environment. The group's efforts come in response to the Trump administration's rollback of environmental regulations and promotion of fossil fuels, which have raised concerns among environmentalists and public health advocates.
The EPA's actions under Administrator Lee Zeldin have been criticized for prioritizing economic interests over environmental protection. The agency's decisions to weaken climate, water, and pollution regulations have sparked legal challenges and opposition from environmental groups. Protect Our Winters has been lobbying Congress for years to promote a positive vision for the future and rebuild critical institutions that protect the environment.
By bringing attention to the importance of clean air and clean water, the coalition of athletes and environmental advocates hopes to convey a bipartisan message to legislators. They emphasize the need for science-based policies to address climate change and protect the environment for the well-being of all individuals. The presence of Olympians in Washington serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of environmental issues on society and the importance of taking action to preserve the planet for future generations.