Climate Change

Climate change is the greatest challenge facing the United States—and the world—over the next decade and beyond. The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human activities raise global temperatures with costly and deadly impacts, including extreme heat, droughts, storms, wildfires, sea-level rise, and more. This devastation disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities and low-income areas, exacerbating existing social and economic inequalities.

To mitigate these effects and protect communities, it is imperative that the United States transition to clean energy sources, implement sustainable land use practices, and invest in climate resilient infrastructure.

The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in 2022, lays the foundation for building a 100 percent clean energy economy by investing in clean energy development and deployment, green infrastructure, and sustainable transportation. The Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits and rebate programs allow people to affordably upgrade and electrify their homes, businesses, appliances, and vehicles—slashing climate pollution, creating new clean energy jobs, and saving families money on their energy bills.

The Center for American Progress recognizes the urgent need to reduce emissions and transition to a clean energy economy—one built with good-paying union jobs and centered on racial justice. Leaders must act quickly and decisively.

Flooded houses and cars are seen after Hurricane Florence in Wallace, North Carolina, September 16, 2018. (Getty/Atlgan Ozdil/Anadolu Agency)

Latest

A Conversation With U.K. Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy: Routes To Addressing Converging Domestic and Global Challenges Past Event

A Conversation With U.K. Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy: Routes To Addressing Converging Domestic and Global Challenges

How can U.S. and U.K. leaders increase cooperation under the “special relationship” to tackle the pressing issues that are converging both at home and abroad, including inclusive economies, threats to democracy, the climate crisis, and community justice and safety?

Sacred Stories: Indigenous-led Conservation of Lands and Waterways Past Event

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 In the News

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.

Kevin DeGood

The Proposed Federal Acquisition Regulation Rule on Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate-Related Financial Risk Article

The Proposed Federal Acquisition Regulation Rule on Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate-Related Financial Risk

Federal contractors’ disclosure of climate-related financial risks and greenhouse gas emissions data should be fully integrated into the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and the recent proposal to do so is a strong step in the right direction.

Alexandra Thornton

How the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity Can Respond to the Health Threats of the Climate Crisis Report

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.

Load More

Related Priorities

Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice

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.

Strengthening Health

Strengthening Health

We work to strengthen public health systems and improve health care coverage, access, and affordability.

Building an Economy for All

Building an Economy for All

Economic growth must be built on the foundation of a strong and secure middle class so that all Americans benefit from growth.

Advancing Racial Equity and Justice

Advancing Racial Equity and Justice

We apply a racial equity lens in developing and advancing policies that aim to root out entrenched systemic racism to ensure everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.