What the election means for climate advocates
The results of the November election are dismaying. There’s no way around it. With an anti-climate-action Congress, President-Elect Trump will lead an effort to reverse the climate progress made under the Biden Administration.
That said, it’s impossible to predict with 100% accuracy what the next 4 years have in store. Instead of obsessing and prognosticating, let’s focus on what we can control and look to the horizon so we’re not paralyzed by uncertainty.
First: It’s not doomsday. The climate movement has a lot on our side.
With eyes wide open to the threats coming down the pike, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that we have a lot on our side. Let’s run through a few key points:
Renewables are the cheapest way to generate energy, and coal is rapidly becoming obsolete. The energy transition is happening.
80% of Inflation Reduction Act benefits are in red states aka even the policymakers who voted against passing the IRA (who could vote to repeal some IRA incentives) are directly benefiting from its existence – 18 of them even wrote to the House Speaker warning him against fully gutting the landmark climate bill.
Leaders from U.S. states and cities are stepping up in a meaningful way. There is a growing formal coalition of 350+ Climate Mayors, State Legislatures and City Councils can (and have!) passed clean energy targets, and there are 24 bipartisan governors committed to Paris Targets. Additionally, climate leadership from the private sector has also grown.
And it’s important to remember that the climate movement is global – other governments and advocates are continually focused on a clean, sustainable future and are making systems-level progress around the world.
What’s on the horizon for climate progress?
While the next four years will not deliver bold nationwide climate action at the speed and scale that’s necessary, we can – and must – still squeeze out as much meaningful progress as possible.
First, we need an advocacy strategy shift. At the federal level, “bold climate action” is no longer a rallying cry; in many cases, that may doom our advocacy to fail. Instead, we’ll need to reframe “climate action” as the many [intersectional things] for which it is comprised: competitiveness with China, energy reliability, housing policy, environmental conservation, technological innovation, domestic manufacturing, and more.
There will be times when it’s most strategic to go “underground” with our advocacy efforts, meaning we’ll transmit a clear ask directly to key decision-makers, rather than shout our goals from the rooftops for all to hear.
There will even be times when it’s most strategic to say nothing about decisions we cannot influence, instead, saving our political capital – and our collective energy – for future decisions where constituent advocacy can have an impact.
And of course, it is essential to broaden the climate movement. 64% of Americans are worried about climate change, and they live in every single congressional district. To build durable political power for climate solutions, we can – and we must! – find them, extend a hand, and pull them into our big tent. (Here’s how we’re doing this now).
2024: Lock in Climate Wins
Now until Inauguration Day on January 20th, 2025, we can make the most climate progress by locking in as many climate wins as possible, with a particular focus on the Executive Branch.
First and foremost, the clock has started on the Biden Administration’s Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deploy the final grants from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). At least ⅔ of the IRA’s grant funding has been deployed already, and we want as much money safely in the pockets of recipients as possible come January.
President Biden and the federal agencies can also finalize pending regulations and prioritize new Executive Orders on climate, pollution, and conservation. While the next administration can legally reverse these actions, some are likely to stick simply because they’ll fly under the radar of a busy presidential transition team looking to implement their agenda.
2025: A mix of defense and offense – with climate ambition throughout.
When the new year begins, a new Congress will be sworn in, as will new governors, state legislators, mayors, and city council members. This fresh start across the variable political landscape is the perfect opportunity to reach out, say hi, and name climate as a top issue. Elected officials use the volume of high-quality, authentic public outreach as a proxy for the relative priorities of their constituents. We can demonstrate the dedication and strength of the climate movement, connect policymakers to climate-action resources, and thank those who have already led on climate – on both sides of the aisle.
Most of the climate movement’s work at the federal level will be “playing defense:” There will be opportunities to oppose anti-climate cabinet appointees at their Senate confirmation hearings, urge members of Congress not to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, and submit public comments to federal agencies that issue new anti-climate regulations. As climate policy expert Leah Stokes says, our political systems tend to enforce the status quo, which is particularly true in such a narrowly divided House of Representatives. Climate advocates now have the task of building a legislating majority that supports protecting the Inflation Reduction Act, similar to what health care advocates did when Senator John McCain voted to protect the Affordable Care Act.
States, cities, and municipalities represent our best avenues for progress. Indeed, states are well-poised to build on the massive investment already made by the Inflation Reduction Act to bring the U.S. significantly closer to our climate goals. There are 15 states with pro-climate-action trifectas, and several more states where the results of the 2024 election have opened new windows of opportunity for climate progress.
One recipe for success includes identifying cities and states with “model legislation” across climate solution areas ranging from clean energy to agriculture to buildings to transportation, and encouraging other states to adopt similar policies. Another includes asking our state and local leaders to fill the vacuum left by the federal government on the international stage. America is All In is a great example of that unified leadership.
Finally, an added benefit of our renewed focus on the states will be the development of innovative climate policies for the next phase of the climate fight that we can implement in 2029. As the old adage goes, the states are the laboratory of democracy.
What can we do about it?
Now that we’re grounded in a roadmap for the weeks, months, and years ahead, it’s time to figure out how to be part of the solution. This is exactly why Climate Changemakers exists. We have a plan, and you have a place. Our team works with partners from across the climate movement to identify the most impactful action opportunities. Then, we put together step-by-step resources to make advocacy as simple and accessible as possible.
In the coming weeks and months, our team will provide weekly action plans and strategic campaigns that maximize decarbonization potential, deliver equitable benefits, and are always timely and politically feasible. Subscribe now to get plugged in.
One of the most impactful things we can do: Build power by gathering our people for productive action.
Additional Read: The Climate and Justice Movement Is Stronger Than a Trump Presidency
Additional Listen: What the Election Means for Climate Policy
