US Cities and States Refuse to Give Up on Climate Action Amid Trump Administration's Attacks
The Trump administration's relentless assault on climate action has failed to dampen the resolve of US cities and states, according to Gina McCarthy, the former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head. Speaking ahead of next month's major UN climate talks in Brazil, McCarthy urged Americans to resist the administration's efforts to block policies and incentives for clean energy.
"We will not allow our country to become numb or debilitated by those who are standing in the way of progress," McCarthy said on a press call. Her words echoed the sentiments of Sheldon Whitehouse, the Rhode Island senator, who called climate leaders to resist Trump's attacks and sue the administration over potentially illegal obstruction.
The US cities and states that have coalesced around America Is All In coalition are committed to reducing planet-heating pollution by up to 56% below 2005 levels by 2035. According to a new study from the coalition and the University of Maryland's Center for Global Sustainability, expanded climate action from cities and states paired with federal re-engagement could have a significant impact.
However, Trump is cracking down on state and local climate action, trying to block policies in court and eliminate incentives for clean energy. Whitehouse warned that if leaders allow themselves to be intimidated by the administration's tactics, they will seize all the ground that has been lost and come back for more.
The US is not alone in this struggle. Global climate leaders must adopt an aggressive attitude to counter the influence of the fossil fuel industry, which Whitehouse described as "villains" in the story of the climate crisis. The industry has created a "whole armada of fake front groups" to spread doubt about the climate crisis and protect its interests.
Experts warn that without this influence, the world may have acted on climate much earlier. Climate experts have long condemned the role of fossil fuel companies in UN climate negotiations, and record numbers of lobbyists have attended talks since the passage of the landmark 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
The United Nations climate change body has introduced new guidelines around transparency, but McCarthy called them "a bit of a disappointment." Whitehouse wants more transparency about who is funding participation in climate talks and what evil they have been doing. The battle for transparency and accountability will be crucial in shaping the future of global climate action.
The Trump administration's relentless assault on climate action has failed to dampen the resolve of US cities and states, according to Gina McCarthy, the former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head. Speaking ahead of next month's major UN climate talks in Brazil, McCarthy urged Americans to resist the administration's efforts to block policies and incentives for clean energy.
"We will not allow our country to become numb or debilitated by those who are standing in the way of progress," McCarthy said on a press call. Her words echoed the sentiments of Sheldon Whitehouse, the Rhode Island senator, who called climate leaders to resist Trump's attacks and sue the administration over potentially illegal obstruction.
The US cities and states that have coalesced around America Is All In coalition are committed to reducing planet-heating pollution by up to 56% below 2005 levels by 2035. According to a new study from the coalition and the University of Maryland's Center for Global Sustainability, expanded climate action from cities and states paired with federal re-engagement could have a significant impact.
However, Trump is cracking down on state and local climate action, trying to block policies in court and eliminate incentives for clean energy. Whitehouse warned that if leaders allow themselves to be intimidated by the administration's tactics, they will seize all the ground that has been lost and come back for more.
The US is not alone in this struggle. Global climate leaders must adopt an aggressive attitude to counter the influence of the fossil fuel industry, which Whitehouse described as "villains" in the story of the climate crisis. The industry has created a "whole armada of fake front groups" to spread doubt about the climate crisis and protect its interests.
Experts warn that without this influence, the world may have acted on climate much earlier. Climate experts have long condemned the role of fossil fuel companies in UN climate negotiations, and record numbers of lobbyists have attended talks since the passage of the landmark 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
The United Nations climate change body has introduced new guidelines around transparency, but McCarthy called them "a bit of a disappointment." Whitehouse wants more transparency about who is funding participation in climate talks and what evil they have been doing. The battle for transparency and accountability will be crucial in shaping the future of global climate action.
I was just thinking, have you ever noticed how pizza delivery guys always seem to know exactly when you're having a bad day? Like, I ordered a pie last week and it arrived like 20 minutes after my coworker spilled coffee all over my shirt... anyway, I digress. 
It's crazy how the US is taking on climate action despite the Trump admin's attacks. As for transparency at UN climate talks, I feel me too - who doesn't want to know what's really going on? 
. It's like, they're not gonna let the admin's attempts to block progress get in their way 
. And honestly, I think it's kinda sad that we need a former EPA head like Gina McCarthy to remind ppl of what matters 
. Can't we just have a functional gov't that prioritizes the planet over polluting profiteers? The fact that these cities & states are committed to reducing emissions by 56% by 2035 is still a major win 
, even if it's not happening under ideal circumstances 
. Global climate leaders need to step up their game and take on those fossil fuel villains 
.
But seriously, what's with all these cities and states refusing to back down? They're basically making it worse by trying to prove a point. Like, can't they just compromise or something? 
. Like, newsflash: we're not gonna let you win this one, dude! The fact that they're trying to block policies in court is just laughable – do they really think they're gonna get away with it? States like Rhode Island are standing strong, and it's about time someone did 
. And btw, I'm loving how Gina McCarthy is speaking truth to power 
. It's time for the US to step up its climate game if we wanna make a difference on the global stage 
. I mean, who doesn't want to save the planet? It's crazy that they're still being attacked by the admin 
. And it's not just about US cities and states, global leaders need to step up their game too 
. The fossil fuel industry is like a villain in this story, trying to block progress and spread doubt 
.
. It's so sad that we're still not acting fast enough on climate change 
. But hey, at least there are people like Gina McCarthy and Sheldon Whitehouse fighting for what's right 
#GoGreen #CleanEnergyIsTheFuture
#ResistAndRevolutionize 
so like trump thinks he can just stop ppl from takin care of the planet but nope not on our watch 
!! cities & states r all like "no way joe" 
they wanna reduce pollution by 56% by 2035 
he's all like "resist trump" and "sue the admin" 
i'm kinda tempted 2 do that myself rn 
cuz we got experts like gina mccarthy & sheldon whitehouse lookin out for us 
. And they're not alone, other countries should do the same thing too 
. But Trump is being all negative and trying to block their progress 
. It's kinda weird that he doesn't want people to make clean energy more accessible 
.
. They're spreading doubt about climate change and trying to stop everyone from making progress 
. But it won't work! More people need to speak up and demand transparency 
.
, but I think it's a good start that these cities and states are taking bold steps towards a cleaner future 
.
. it's like, we know how this story ends, and it's not good 
. but still, I think there's hope