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.

People with placards and posters on global strike for climate change. Woman speaking in megaphone in front of crowd. (Getty/urbazon)

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

Center for American Progress

Boldly Forward

Celebrate with us

By the numbers

$177.6B

The cost to U.S. taxpayers from extreme weather events in 2022

National Centers for Environmental Information

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

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Official COP29 Side Event: Climate, Trade, and Industrial Policy: How Policies in Global North and Global South Economies Are Driving Decarbonization Past Event

Official COP29 Side Event: Climate, Trade, and Industrial Policy: How Policies in Global North and Global South Economies Are Driving Decarbonization

The Center for American Progress, the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, Resources for the Future, and Australian National University are excited to host this official UNFCCC COP29 side event in Baku.

2024 Elections and the Future of Global Climate Ambition Report
Cranes surround the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset, England.

2024 Elections and the Future of Global Climate Ambition

As the 2024 elections usher in new leaders and reshuffle political power, the trajectory of climate ambition is at a crossroads, with the potential to accelerate toward meaningful progress or falter in the face of new obstacles.

Kalina Gibson

How Congress Can Protect Families From Dangerous Heat and Ensure Cool and Healthy Homes for All Report
A woman watches as person installs a heat pump

How Congress Can Protect Families From Dangerous Heat and Ensure Cool and Healthy Homes for All

On the heels of record-breaking heat this summer and fall, Congress must act to safeguard low-income Americans from extreme heat by investing in efficient and cost-effective heat pump air conditioning and programs to lower electricity costs for households.

Disappearing Parks: How Project 2025 Would Decrease Protections for Nature Article
One of the towering pinnacles in Valley of the Gods within the Bears Ears National Monument is illuminated as the sun sets.

Disappearing Parks: How Project 2025 Would Decrease Protections for Nature

Eight landscape-level national monuments designated by the Biden-Harris administration have helped close the nature gap for millions of Americans, but their protections are at risk from extreme anti-conservation measures in Project 2025.

Sam Zeno

A Day in the Life of Climate Activist Adrian Arellano Video

A Day in the Life of Climate Activist Adrian Arellano

Spend a day with Adrian Arellano, manager for climate initiatives at NextGen America, as he attends New York Climate Week events and talks about the importance of climate action to Latinos, how the Biden-Harris administration climate investments are benefiting the community, and how Project 2025 is a threat to climate action and future generations.

In the Wake of Hurricane Helene, Congress Must Invest in Rebuilding Strong, Prosperous, and Climate-Resilient Communities Article
A bridge across Mill Creek damaged by flooding from Hurricane Helene is seen in Old Fort, North Carolina.

In the Wake of Hurricane Helene, Congress Must Invest in Rebuilding Strong, Prosperous, and Climate-Resilient Communities

The Biden-Harris administration has rapidly mobilized disaster relief aid to Appalachia and other hard-hit areas. Congress must act quickly to deliver the funds required to rebuild communities that can prosper and withstand future climate disasters.

Rising Extreme Heat Compounds the U.S. Maternal Health Crisis Report
A midwife picks greens for a pregnant mother and her daughter.

Rising Extreme Heat Compounds the U.S. Maternal Health Crisis

Policymakers must act to protect the health and safety of pregnant people—including by passing the Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act, increasing access to indoor home cooling, and quickly adopting a federal occupational heat standard.

Amina Khalique

The Inflation Reduction Act Lives Up to Its Name Testimony

The Inflation Reduction Act Lives Up to Its Name

Trevor Higgins, senior vice president of the Energy and Environment department at the Center for American Progress, filed written testimony before the U.S. House Budget Committee at a hearing on energy costs titled “The Cost of the Biden-Harris Energy Crisis.”

Trevor Higgins

Clean Energy Investments Are Boosting the U.S. Economy Testimony

Clean Energy Investments Are Boosting the U.S. Economy

Trevor Higgins, senior vice president of the Energy and Environment department at the Center for American Progress, filed written testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security; the testimony occurred at a hearing on energy costs titled “From Gas to Groceries: Americans Pay the Price of the Biden-Harris Energy Agenda.”

Trevor Higgins

Hear From a Pediatrician: How Extreme Heat Endangers Children’s Health and What We Can Do About It Video

Hear From a Pediatrician: How Extreme Heat Endangers Children’s Health and What We Can Do About It

Dr. Debra Hendrickson, clinical professor of pediatrics and author of The Air They Breathe, explains the risks extreme heat and climate change pose to children's health and the actions parents, communities, and policymakers can take to protect them.

America and India’s Green Trade Opportunity In the News

America and India’s Green Trade Opportunity

In Foreign Affairs, Trevor Sutton and Arunabha Ghosh write about partnership opportunities between the United States and India.

Foreign Affairs

Trevor Sutton, Arunabha Ghosh

Project 2025 Would Jeopardize Global Climate Action Article
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry arrives on stage to deliver a speech.

Project 2025 Would Jeopardize Global Climate Action

During a critical decade for climate action, Project 2025’s architects call for an end to American climate leadership on the international stage, which would harm Americans and prevent the global community from achieving climate goals necessary to maintain a livable planet.

A Holistic Approach to Environmental Justice Video

A Holistic Approach to Environmental Justice

The Friendship House Association of American Indians is using Inflation Reduction Act funds to support the building of Village SF, an inter-Tribal community project that will help the more than 18,000 Indigenous peoples in the San Francisco Bay Area reconnect with nature, their culture, and their community.

How Project 2025 Threatens the Inflation Reduction Act’s Thriving Clean Energy Economy Report
Photo shows two workers wearing protective gear installing a couple solar panels on a sunny rooftop

How Project 2025 Threatens the Inflation Reduction Act’s Thriving Clean Energy Economy

As the two-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act is commemorated, the Biden-Harris administration's historic climate action offers much to celebrate, having secured unprecedented clean energy advancements and substantial gains against climate change—but Project 2025 has the potential to reverse this pivotal progress and derail the nation's clean energy transition.

Project 2025 Proposes Eliminating Aid for Families and Businesses Rebuilding After Storms Article
A person walks through a flooded street in Cedar Key, Florida, following Hurricane Debby.

Project 2025 Proposes Eliminating Aid for Families and Businesses Rebuilding After Storms

As climate change makes extreme weather events more common and more costly for Americans, the far right’s new authoritarian playbook would leave communities with fewer resources to rebuild after disasters like Hurricane Debby strike.

David Ballard

AGOA Reauthorization Offers an Opportunity for Expanded Commitments to Development, Labor, and Climate in Sub-Saharan Africa Article
Photo shows workers in bright green construction vests and yellow hats setting up a metal frame with a truck in the background

AGOA Reauthorization Offers an Opportunity for Expanded Commitments to Development, Labor, and Climate in Sub-Saharan Africa

Congress faces a critical opportunity to support workers in the United States and Africa while diversifying supply chains and protecting the climate by authorizing a strengthened African Growth and Opportunity Act next year.

Organized Labor Is Uncovering the Truth About Offshore Wind in Rhode Island Video

Organized Labor Is Uncovering the Truth About Offshore Wind in Rhode Island

On the front lines of the clean energy transition, Rhode Island’s offshore wind developments and union workforce are disproving misinformation spread by the fossil fuel industry and showcasing the benefits of federal climate investments for local communities and economies.

Executive Summary: Protecting Children From Extreme Heat Is Critical for Their Health, Learning, and Development Fact Sheet
The sun sets in New York City as children cool off.

Executive Summary: Protecting Children From Extreme Heat Is Critical for Their Health, Learning, and Development

This fact sheet summarizes a recent Center of American Progress report highlighting the need for policymakers to take steps to develop heat standards for children and support infrastructure improvements to ensure schools, child care centers, and communities are safe and healthy places for children.

Climate Deniers of the 118th Congress Report
Photo shows a partly open black fence with the U.S. Capitol building in focus in the background

Climate Deniers of the 118th Congress

Currently, 123 members of the 118th Congress publicly deny the scientific consensus of human-caused climate change.

Kat So

Protecting Children From Extreme Heat Is Critical for Their Health, Learning, and Development Report
Children cool off by playing in a fountain in Brooklyn’s Domino Park, New York, during a heat wave.

Protecting Children From Extreme Heat Is Critical for Their Health, Learning, and Development

As climate change intensifies extreme heat around the globe, policymakers must take steps to develop heat standards for children and support infrastructure improvements to ensure schools, child care centers, and communities are safe and healthy places for children.

Historic Investments in Electric Vehicle Batteries and Chargers are Expanding Opportunities in Communities with High Poverty Rates Article
An electric car is plugged into a charging station with a palm tree in the background.

Historic Investments in Electric Vehicle Batteries and Chargers are Expanding Opportunities in Communities with High Poverty Rates

Since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, communities with higher poverty rates and lower median incomes have seen a surge of investment in manufacturing EV batteries and charging equipment.

Community Conversations Event Series Video

Community Conversations Event Series

The Biden administration’s unprecedented environmental justice investments are transforming despair into optimism and into tangible benefits in communities, including clean air and water, jobs, improved public health, and clean and affordable energy.

3 International Climate Priorities for 2024 Report
Photo shows several flags arranged in a circular formation, flying against a grey cloudy sky

3 International Climate Priorities for 2024

As President Joe Biden’s first term draws to a close, his administration must deliver on three international climate policies to catalyze a 21st-century clean energy economy and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Anne Christianson, Trevor Sutton, Frances Colón

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