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

By the numbers

$3.1T

The cost to U.S. taxpayers from extreme weather events in 2025

119

The number of elected senators and representatives who still deny climate change in the current Congress

2°F

Human activity, largely burning fossil fuels, has warmed the planet this much since 1800s

1M

The number of plant and animal species at risk of extinction around the world today

Recent work

Latest

Compact View

Applying Indigenous Wisdom to Deep-Sea Mining In the News

Applying Indigenous Wisdom to Deep-Sea Mining

In an op-ed published by DC Journal, Angelo Villagomez discusses the Trump administration’s reckless push to allow deep-sea mining in the U.S. Pacific territories.

DC Journal

Angelo Villagomez

Los Angeles Wildfire Survivor Is Struggling To Get the Insurance Payouts That She Needs To Return Home Video

Los Angeles Wildfire Survivor Is Struggling To Get the Insurance Payouts That She Needs To Return Home

The home of Rossana Valverde, a storyteller with the organization Extreme Weather Survivors, was left essentially untouched by the flames from last year’s Eaton Fire. But the fire did leave toxic, cancer-causing residue in its wake.

La intervención militar de Trump en Venezuela beneficia a las grandes petroleras, no al pueblo estadounidense Artículo
A child walks along the beach at dusk on the outskirts of El Palito refinery.

La intervención militar de Trump en Venezuela beneficia a las grandes petroleras, no al pueblo estadounidense

La administración Trump arriesgó las vidas de militares estadounidenses con sus recientes acciones militares en Venezuela, todo en un esfuerzo por beneficiar a sus donantes petroleros a pesar del alto costo para los contribuyentes.

Should the U.S. Drill for More Oil and Gas? In the News

Should the U.S. Drill for More Oil and Gas?

Upfront published a debate between CAP’s Jenny Rowland and the president of an industry trade group about whether the United States should continue drilling for oil and gas or invest in a clean energy future.

Upfront

Jenny Rowland-Shea, Melissa Simpson

How States Can Turn Polluted Lands Into Clean Energy Report
Turbines from the Roth Rock wind farm are seen in Oakland, Maryland, August 23, 2022.

How States Can Turn Polluted Lands Into Clean Energy

In the absence of federal leadership, states should encourage renewable energy development on contaminated lands—including landfills, abandoned mines, and brownfield sites—in order to reap economic benefits and meet rising electricity demand.

Dylan Nezaj, Alia Hidayat

Fact Sheet: How States Can Turn Polluted Lands Into Clean Energy Fact Sheet
Turbines from the Roth Rock wind farm along the Backbone Mountain are seen on August 23, 2022.

Fact Sheet: How States Can Turn Polluted Lands Into Clean Energy

In the absence of federal leadership, states should encourage renewable energy development on contaminated lands—including landfills, abandoned mines, and brownfield sites—in order to reap economic benefits and meet rising electricity demand.

Alia Hidayat, Dylan Nezaj

The Trump Administration Continues To Demonstrate Its Failure To Appreciate the Plight of American Farmers Article
A combine harvests soybeans in Kentucky.

The Trump Administration Continues To Demonstrate Its Failure To Appreciate the Plight of American Farmers

China’s boycott of American soybeans may be resolved, but the episode exposed deeper, longer-term challenges that cannot be solved with a one-time bailout or a purchase commitment by foreign buyers that can be turned off at any time.

Trump Hands China Clean Manufacturing Dominance on a Silver Platter In the News

Trump Hands China Clean Manufacturing Dominance on a Silver Platter

In an op-ed published by DC Journal, Kalina Gibson and Leo Banks argue that President Donald Trump is undermining the future of American manufacturing by remaining laser-focused on fossil fuel production, while the rest of the world turns to China for help making the switch to clean energy.

DC Journal

Kalina Gibson, Leo Banks

The Shutdown’s Impacts on National Parks and Public Lands Offer a Preview of Trump’s Long-Term Vision Article
Person entering national monument past large welcome map

The Shutdown’s Impacts on National Parks and Public Lands Offer a Preview of Trump’s Long-Term Vision

Before and during the government shutdown, the Trump administration has pushed an agenda to sell out America’s public lands for drilling and mining while gutting the funding, staff, and policies necessary to steward those lands for future generations.

Drew McConville

Residents of 49 States and Washington, D.C., Face Increasing Electric and Natural Gas Bills Report
Power lines in the sky

Residents of 49 States and Washington, D.C., Face Increasing Electric and Natural Gas Bills

This updated utility rate tracker shows rate increases or proposals set to go into effect over the next two years that, coupled with Trump administration actions, could mean that households and businesses see even higher utility bills over the next few years.

Ocean Progress Symposium: Advancing Conservation Close to Shore Past Event

Ocean Progress Symposium: Advancing Conservation Close to Shore

Please join the Center for American Progress for an event to explore how to navigate ocean conservation in the United States for the next four years.

Center for American Progress and Online via Zoom

Ocean Progress Symposium 2025: Advancing Conservation Close to Shore Past Event

Ocean Progress Symposium 2025: Advancing Conservation Close to Shore

Please join the Center for American Progress for an event to explore how to navigate ocean conservation in the United States for the next four years.

Online via Zoom

How the Government Shutdown Affects Public Land Employees and Communities Article

How the Government Shutdown Affects Public Land Employees and Communities

Bipartisan efforts saved public lands from being sold off. Can Congress work together again so that furloughed public land employees in the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Forest Service are not fired?

Mark Haggerty

The Trump Administration’s Expansive Push to Sell Out Public Lands to the Highest Bidder Report
An oil pumpjack operates in the Great Plains of southeastern Wyoming.

The Trump Administration’s Expansive Push to Sell Out Public Lands to the Highest Bidder

After bipartisan opposition forced Senate Republicans to remove language from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that would have sold off public lands, the Trump administration is still moving forward with proposals to transfer control over tens of millions of acres of public land to the oil and gas, mining, and timber industries.

A multilateral approach to climate and trade policy could revolutionize efforts to decarbonize heavy industries and counter non market overcapacity In the News

A multilateral approach to climate and trade policy could revolutionize efforts to decarbonize heavy industries and counter non market overcapacity

In an op-ed published by Renewal, Ryan Mulholland and Mike Williams argue in favor of cooperative action on challenges like climate change.

Renewal: A Journal of Social Democracy

Ryan Mulholland, Mike Williams

The Trump Administration’s Attack on Environmental Protections Will Increase Cancer-Causing Pollution Report
In the background of the view of a residential street, smokestacks at the Hugh L. Spurlock Generating Station are seen in Maysville, Kentucky.

The Trump Administration’s Attack on Environmental Protections Will Increase Cancer-Causing Pollution

The Trump administration’s plan to torpedo air pollution limits and cancer prevention programs while ripping away health care and cancer treatment and canceling clean energy investments will increase preventable cancer cases among Americans—all to enhance polluters’ profits and cut taxes for the superrich.

Residents in at Least 41 States and Washington, D.C., Are Facing Increased Electric and Natural Gas Bills Article

Residents in at Least 41 States and Washington, D.C., Are Facing Increased Electric and Natural Gas Bills

Energy bill tracker documents rate increases and proposals that would go into effect in 2025 or 2026. The Trump administration’s actions to discourage clean energy projects could send rates even higher.

States Can Lead the Way on an Abundant, Pro-Nature Clean Energy Future Article
Wildflowers growing on hills with wind turbines

States Can Lead the Way on an Abundant, Pro-Nature Clean Energy Future

The Trump administration has falsely framed wind and solar power as harmful to wildlife in order to justify stifling affordable, rapid-to-deploy, clean energy. Here’s how state leadership can advance clean energy and conservation goals simultaneously.

Alia Hidayat

Trump’s ‘Energy Dominance’ Means Payouts to the Oil and Gas Industry In the News

Trump’s ‘Energy Dominance’ Means Payouts to the Oil and Gas Industry

In an op-ed published by The National Interest, Kendra Hughes and Lucero Marquez assert that President Trump's vision of "energy dominance" offers giveaways to the fossil fuel industry instead of the affordable, reliable, and domestically produced energy that America needs.

The National Interest

Kendra Hughes, Lucero Marquez

About Extreme Heat, We Need to Prioritize Children In the News

About Extreme Heat, We Need to Prioritize Children

In an op-ed published by InsideSources, Hailey Gibbs highlights proven strategies that communities and policymakers can adopt to better mitigate the deadly effects of climate change for young children and infants.

InsideSources

Hailey Gibbs

What Trump’s Anti-Environment One Big Beautiful Bill Act Means for Your Wallet, Health, and Safety Article

What Trump’s Anti-Environment One Big Beautiful Bill Act Means for Your Wallet, Health, and Safety

In addition to cutting health care and food assistance programs, the act’s energy and environmental provisions would raise energy costs, increase pollution affecting Americans’ health, and increase safety risks in a worsening climate.

The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act Endangers the Transformation of Contaminated Sites for Clean Energy Production Article
Rows of solar panels dominate land behind homes in Chicago.

The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act Endangers the Transformation of Contaminated Sites for Clean Energy Production

The congressional Republican spending bill, which President Donald Trump recently signed into law, kills tax credits that help communities turn idle toxic sites such as brownfields and abandoned mines into sources of clean energy and revenue.

Alia Hidayat, Dylan Nezaj

The Destruction of Disaster Relief: The Trump Administration’s Attack on Emergency Disaster Preparedness and Relief Aid Past Event

The Destruction of Disaster Relief: The Trump Administration’s Attack on Emergency Disaster Preparedness and Relief Aid

Join the Center for American Progress for the next in a series of virtual events highlighting the impact that DOGE’s cuts are having on the lives of everyday Americans; this event will highlight how the Trump administration’s harms to federal disaster relief will affect Americans and how we can keep up the fight against these disastrous policies.

Online Only

With Americans Facing Utility Bill Increases This Year, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Threatens To Drive Costs Even Higher Article
A utility lineman works to restore service in Perry, Florida

With Americans Facing Utility Bill Increases This Year, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Threatens To Drive Costs Even Higher

Across the country, nearly 60 electric and gas utilities are hiking or trying to hike utility bills this year, totaling nearly $38.3 billion for 56.7 million electric customers and $3.5 billion for 26 million natural gas customers; if the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passes, these bills will spike even higher.

LNG Projects Are a Bad Deal for Germans and Americans Report
Workers watch the sun set behind an LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven.

LNG Projects Are a Bad Deal for Germans and Americans

Subsidizing fossil gas, especially long-term contracts for liquefied natural gas (LNG), undermines Germany’s energy independence, national security, public health, and climate goals, while also raising energy prices and pollution for Americans. On the other hand, accelerating the deployment of affordable and cleaner technologies across sectors could lower costs and pollution.

The Trump Administration’s Assault on Environmental Protections Will Give Polluters a Free Pass While Causing Millions of Asthma Attacks Report
Cars sit in traffic as the sun sets behind a veil of smog.

The Trump Administration’s Assault on Environmental Protections Will Give Polluters a Free Pass While Causing Millions of Asthma Attacks

The Trump administration’s plan to weaken clean air protections could cause more than 10,000 asthma attacks per day while cutting lifesaving asthma prevention programs and as House Republicans seek to slash pollution reduction efforts, clean technology investments, and essential health care coverage—all to give tax breaks to billionaires.

House Republicans Are Giving Up on U.S. Manufacturing Article
Electric vehicles are seen on the assembly line.

House Republicans Are Giving Up on U.S. Manufacturing

Claims from congressional Republicans and the Trump administration that supporting domestic manufacturing is a priority are completely undercut by their efforts to strip incentives and kill successful programs.

Mike Williams, Leo Banks

States Must Lead the Way To Protect Workers From Extreme Heat Article
A traffic warden holding up a stop sign with the sun shining behind him

States Must Lead the Way To Protect Workers From Extreme Heat

In the absence of federal action to protect workers from the rising dangers of exposure to extreme heat on the job, states must take the lead—and can look to existing and proposed standards from other localities for guidance.

Jill Rosenthal, Reema Bzeih

The House Republican Plan To Increase Gas and Electricity Prices Article

The House Republican Plan To Increase Gas and Electricity Prices

Terminating almost all federal clean energy investments will increase electricity rates and raise the price of gasoline by between 25 cents and 37 cents per gallon, costing households more than $400 billion on energy over the next decade.

Trevor Higgins

The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans’ Plan To Make Billionaires Richer May Make Americans Sicker Article
Cars travel on the highway to and from Los Angeles, which is enveloped in smog.

The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans’ Plan To Make Billionaires Richer May Make Americans Sicker

The Trump administration and congressional Republicans are working to finance their plans to cut taxes for the ultrawealthy—and they are cutting environmental protection and clean energy programs, endangering American lives and livelihoods, as part of this effort.

Will the U.S. Housing Crisis Be Exploited for a Massive Public Lands Sell-Off? Report
The San Jacinto Mountains are seen from afar at the Big Morongo Wildlife Preserve in Morongo Valley, California, April 11, 2007.

Will the U.S. Housing Crisis Be Exploited for a Massive Public Lands Sell-Off?

Some politicians are using the nation’s housing affordability problems as a pretense to sell off public lands—an extreme agenda that puts America’s treasured lands and waters at risk without substantively addressing housing needs. A new initiative from the Trump administration publicly promises restraint, while specific proposals from Capitol Hill tell a different story.

Drew McConville, Doug Turner

The Trump Administration Has Invited Power Plants to Emit More Toxic Pollution in a Giveaway to Corporate Polluters Article
The sun sets behind an oil refinery in Wilmington, California.

The Trump Administration Has Invited Power Plants to Emit More Toxic Pollution in a Giveaway to Corporate Polluters

In an unprecedented move, the Trump administration has offered fossil fuel power plants and industrial sources the opportunity to ask, by email, for an exemption from the Clean Air Act, enabling them to avoid compliance with emission standards that protect Americans.

Leo Banks, Lucero Marquez

Managing the Climate Change-Fueled Property Insurance Crisis Report
A couple stands to the left of the remains of a home burned down in January 2025 during a massive wildfire in and around Los Angeles.

Managing the Climate Change-Fueled Property Insurance Crisis

As private insurers pull back services in the face of mounting losses, governments are looking to spread the costs of more frequent and severe natural disasters while confronting insurance availability and affordability challenges.

Lilith Fellowes-Granda, Marc Jarsulic, Alexandra Thornton

How the Trump Administration’s Agenda To Eliminate Environmental Protections and Promote the Fossil Fuel Industry Harms Public Health Fact Sheet
A view of DTE Energy's River Rouge power plant in Michigan.

How the Trump Administration’s Agenda To Eliminate Environmental Protections and Promote the Fossil Fuel Industry Harms Public Health

The Trump administration’s plan to abandon environmental and public health safeguards threatens the health and lives of Americans while lining the pockets of corporate polluters.

The Trump Administration’s Cancellation of Funding for Environmental Protections Endangers Americans’ Health While Draining Their Wallets Fact Sheet
People walk in Central Park amid hazy conditions in New York City.

The Trump Administration’s Cancellation of Funding for Environmental Protections Endangers Americans’ Health While Draining Their Wallets

The Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate environmental protections and funds that reduce pollution in working-class communities threaten public health and increase costs for families.

Forecasting Disaster: How DOGE’s Cuts to NOAA Will Affect Weather Awareness and Well-Being Past Event

Forecasting Disaster: How DOGE’s Cuts to NOAA Will Affect Weather Awareness and Well-Being

Please join the Center for American Progress for the next in a series of virtual events highlighting the impact that DOGE’s cuts are having on the lives of everyday Americans; this event will focus on how cuts to NOAA will harm the weather forecast and Americans' safety.

Online only

Congressional Republicans’ Plan To Cut Clean Energy Investments Would Cause Higher Energy Bills and Job Losses Across States Article
Workers carry a solar panel onto a roof in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Congressional Republicans’ Plan To Cut Clean Energy Investments Would Cause Higher Energy Bills and Job Losses Across States

The clean energy supply chain spurred by U.S. investment has created jobs and helped to lower electricity costs; repealing these investments midstream would increase electricity prices for households and businesses in nearly every state.

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