Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice
We pursue climate action that meets the crisis’s urgency, creates good-quality jobs, benefits disadvantaged communities, and restores U.S. credibility on the global stage.
What We're Working On
What We're Doing
Pursuing environmental justice
Investing in equitable climate solutions that address the country’s legacy of environmental racism while working to ensure that all communities have the right to breathe clean air, live free of dangerous levels of toxic pollution, access healthy food, and share the benefits of a prosperous economy
Creating good, clean jobs at home
Laying the groundwork for an urgent transition to a clean energy economy that works for all, creating millions of well-paying jobs with the opportunity to join a union, and improving the quality of life for all Americans in the process
Protecting nature
Addressing the linked climate and biodiversity crises by conserving 30 percent of all U.S. lands and water by 2030 and promoting natural solutions to the climate crisis that benefit all communities
Restoring U.S. climate leadership on the global stage
By taking strong and equitable domestic action, we restore the ability to bring countries together to reduce emissions and help developing countries transition to carbon-neutral economies and adapt to inevitable impacts
By the numbers
$99B
The cost to U.S. taxpayers from extreme weather events in 2020—and it’s getting worse
CAP, “Extreme Weather Cost U.S. Taxpayers $99 Billion Last Year, and It Is Getting Worse” (2021).
139
The number of elected senators and representatives who still deny climate change
CAP, “Climate Deniers in the 117th Congress” (2021).
2°F
Human activity, largely burning fossil fuels, has warmed the planet this much since 1800s
The New York Times, “A Hotter Future Is Certain, Climate Panel Warns. But How Hot Is Up to Us.” (2021).
1M
The number of plant and animal species at risk of extinction around the world today
CAP, “How Much Nature Should America Keep?” (2019).
What You Can Do
Featured work
5 Major Benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Climate Investments
Implementing Biden’s Justice40 Commitment To Combat Environmental Racism
The Clean Economy Revolution Will Be Unionized
Featured Experts
Auburn
Bell
Policy Analyst
Anne
Christianson
Director, International Climate Policy
Frances
Colón
Senior Director, International Climate Policy
Margaret
Cooney
Campaign Manager
Michael
Freeman
Policy Analyst
Nicole
Gentile
Senior Director, Conservation
Shannon
Baker-Branstetter
Senior Director, Domestic Climate and Energy Policy
Mark
Haggerty
Senior Fellow, Energy and Environment
Trevor
Higgins
Senior Vice President, Energy and Environment
Cathleen
Kelly
Senior Fellow
Hannah
Malus
Director, Energy and Environment Campaigns
Drew
McConville
Senior Fellow
Jenny
Rowland-Shea
Director, Public Lands
Sam
Ricketts
Senior Fellow
Angelo
Villagomez
Senior Fellow
Mike
Williams
Senior Fellow
Cody
Hankerson
Associate Director, Energy and Environment Campaigns
Latest
Improving Safety, Accident Response, and Public Health in the Wake of Recent Train Derailments
A comprehensive response to the East Palestine derailment must include safety reforms that will reduce the frequency and severity of future derailments; improve long-term health monitoring and access to health services; and reduce or eliminate toxic chemicals, including petrochemicals, from the U.S. economy.
What the U.S. Must Bring to the 2023 U.N. Loss and Damage Negotiations To Address Climate Change Impacts
The United States must show up to loss and damage discussions this year with solidarity, constructive negotiating positions, and credible finance solutions so that the world can not only address the losses and damages of climate change, but also continue to pursue ambitious climate mitigation goals.
After Getting Willow Project Wrong, Biden Must Get These Climate and Public Lands Decisions Right
President Biden and his team must cement new protections for U.S. lands and waters, secure additional climate progress, and prevent bad decisions such as the Willow project from happening again.
A New Horizon in U.S. Trade Policy
Under President Biden, the United States is reinvigorating its trade policy to better confront the major challenges of the 21st century, but key questions remain.
The Biden administration must take a tougher stance on soot pollution
Sarah Millender, Auburn Bell, and Jill Rosenthal have published a new op-ed in The Hill urging the Biden administration to strengthen standards on soot pollution.
Sacred Stories: Indigenous-led Conservation of Lands and Waterways
Please join the Center for American Progress, Native Americans in Philanthropy, and the Biodiversity Funders Group for a panel of storytellers discussing Indigenous-led conservation of lands and waterways.
Tolls on state highways would ease gas tax shortfall
Kevin DeGood explains why a well-designed, sophisticated tolling system in Michigan would not only ease revenue shortfalls but also allow the state’s highways to run more efficiently.
Protecting Avi Kwa Ame as a National Monument Would Honor Tribes and Increase Access to Nature
President Biden must use the Antiquities Act to designate Avi Kwa Ame as a national monument. He faces a critical opportunity to honor ancient sacred lands; conserve ecologically important sites; advance the administration’s 30x30 goal; and enact community-led conservation to close the nature gap.
Prioritizing Implementation at the Our Ocean Conference Would Benefit Ocean Communities and Ecosystems
The Biden administration must use the 2023 Our Ocean Conference in Panama to refocus ocean conservation efforts on implementation of past commitments.
Why Conserving 30×30 Is More Than a Numbers Game
Two years after the establishment of America’s first national conservation goal, it’s time to stop debating what “counts” and focus on action.
How the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity Can Respond to the Health Threats of the Climate Crisis
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Climate Change and Health Equity must elevate the health and environmental justice implications of the climate crisis and provide the connective tissue needed to harness resources, leverage authorities, and coordinate federal expertise.
Proposed National Marine Sanctuaries Provide a Pathway Toward Indigenous-Led Ocean Conservation
The United States can move closer to its dual goals of increasing access to nature for all Americans and protecting 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030 by approving and completing the designation of five new Indigenous-led marine sanctuaries.