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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)
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Hoja informativa: Un plan para hacer la electricidad más asequible en EE. UU. Hoja informativa

Hoja informativa: Un plan para hacer la electricidad más asequible en EE. UU.

El plan de CAP ahorraría a los hogares más de $900 en costos de energía durante cuatro años, a la vez que construiría un mejor sistema energético que ahorraría a las familias estadounidenses miles de millones en los años venideros.

Trevor Higgins, Shannon Baker-Branstetter, Michael Negron, 2 More Lucero Marquez, Kendra Hughes

Unilateralism in trade calls for a new approach to build a green future In the News

Unilateralism in trade calls for a new approach to build a green future

In an essay published by the International Network of Energy Transition Think Tanks, Ryan Mulholland argues that climate and trade policy should be treated as complementary disciplines.

International Network of Energy Transition Think Tanks

Ryan Mulholland

State Climate Action in 2026: How States Are Delivering Real Benefits Through Climate and Clean Energy Policy Report
An electric vehicle is seen charging in a parking lot in Storrs, Connecticut, on March 31, 2026.

State Climate Action in 2026: How States Are Delivering Real Benefits Through Climate and Clean Energy Policy

As the Trump administration drives up costs and creates new challenges, states are making timely decisions on infrastructure and accountability, advancing policies that tackle climate change, lower energy bills, improve air quality, and support good-paying clean energy jobs.

Frederick Bell

Climate Action, Close to Home Past Event

Climate Action, Close to Home

Please join the Center for American Progress for an event on local climate action during D.C. Climate Week.

Center for American Progress

Climate Change Is Here—and America’s Most Marginalized Communities Are on the Front Lines Article
The image of Typhoon Sinlaku captured by satellite.

Climate Change Is Here—and America’s Most Marginalized Communities Are on the Front Lines

After Typhoon Sinlaku devastated the Northern Mariana Islands Tuesday, it is clear that climate change is already here—and hitting marginalized U.S. communities first. What comes next must be a commitment to resilience, preparedness, and equitable recovery.

Angelo Villagomez, Devon Lespier

No More Reacting: An Argument for a Clean Industrial Policy—and Against Competitiveness as an Organizing Economic Principle Report
Workers walk past the construction site of an offshore wind project in New London, Connecticut, on August 25, 2025.

No More Reacting: An Argument for a Clean Industrial Policy—and Against Competitiveness as an Organizing Economic Principle

Moving beyond the failures of the Trump administration, the United States will need to embrace a strategy for fighting the climate crisis that prioritizes values such as support for working people and establishes a precedent for international collaboration.

Mike Williams, Ryan Mulholland

Declining Global Demand for Oil and Gas Benefits Americans, and U.S. Policy Can Accelerate It Report
An oil pumpjack is seen near a field of wind turbines.

Declining Global Demand for Oil and Gas Benefits Americans, and U.S. Policy Can Accelerate It

Through strategic policy tools including trade, security, and foreign development assistance, the United States can accelerate the peak in global oil and gas demand—resulting in cost savings, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and less reliance on volatile energy markets for Americans.

Courtney Federico

The Trump Administration’s Fixation on Greenland Reinforces That Climate Change Is a Threat to Americans Article
Ships are seen among icebergs that broke off from the Jakobshavn Glacier.

The Trump Administration’s Fixation on Greenland Reinforces That Climate Change Is a Threat to Americans

Climate change is causing the Arctic to warm at an alarming rate, threatening to heighten geopolitical tensions in the region; yet instead of combating this threat, President Trump has halted all U.S. international climate action, putting Americans’ security at risk.

Courtney Federico

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.

Margaret Cooney, Hai-Lam Phan, Toni Pandolfo

Child Care Professionals Are on the Front Lines as Climate Change Risks Children’s Health and Development Report
A teacher prepares a classroom at Woodbury Village Preschool that sustained smoke damage during the Eaton fire in Altadena, California

Child Care Professionals Are on the Front Lines as Climate Change Risks Children’s Health and Development

Amid a changing climate and federal rollbacks to disaster relief and preparedness, early educators face an increasingly untenable child care landscape that will require state and local action.

Hailey Gibbs, Nadia Gronkowski, Hester Paul, 2 More Joan Lombardi, Ph.D., Nsedu Obot Witherspoon

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Related Priorities

Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice
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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
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Strengthening Health

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

Building an Economy for All
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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
Issue

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.

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