Third Act Minnesota is a diverse community of elders (60 and older) who know our planet and our democracy are increasingly endangered by unjust laws and economic practices. Together we are committed to harnessing the political and economic power of our generation to change the course of history and leave a better world for generations to come.
Mission
We mobilize older Minnesotans to act collectively on local and national climate and democracy issues. We are committed in principle to diversity, equity, and inclusion, knowing that diverse organizations create a more representative, just, and productive working environment. We need your skills, talents, and time to be successful in all these matters. Together we will prevail!
What We Do
Great progress has been made in recent years toward a clean energy future. In the current national political climate, we recognize that our efforts are best focused locally to speed up the transition to clean energy by decreasing the investments in new fossil fuel projects while increasing investments in, and availability of, clean energy.
Climate Finance Campaign
By flexing our economic and political might and exercising people power, we pressure local and national banks and institutions to stop funding new fossil fuel projects, insisting in various ways that large entities and influencers take rapid, effective climate action to protect our environment. This means pressing banks, insurance companies, and state pension investment boards to shift their resources away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy. We also support individuals to follow their values and make investments in ways that speed up the energy transition while still providing a good financial return – watch our Move Your Money videos to learn more. Among other actions we write letters to editors, corporate officers, and government officials, organize protests, and constantly spread the word.
Power Up Communities
In May 2023, Governor Tim Walz signed into law a $2 billion environment, energy, and climate budget that will help Minnesota combat climate change and move toward a carbon-free economy. In collaboration with like-minded organizations, we pressure the MN Public Utility Commission to aggressively speed up the clean energy transition and we support state legislation and local ordinances that speed up that transition. We also act, when we can, to help ensure funds allocated to address the climate crisis in the Inflation Reduction Act are fully distributed and targeted to where they are most needed.
Safeguarding our Democracy
We oppose the suppression of voting rights, the gerrymandering of congressional districts, and any action that obstructs or subverts the fair representation of our citizens. The crippling influence of big money, the intimidation and harassment of election officials, and the interference with vote counting and certification of elections is undermining our democracy. After extensive work in 2024 we are watching to see what the next opportunities will be in Minnesota.