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From Union of Concerned Scientsts
Summary
The UCS anticipates significant setbacks for climate, energy, and justice priorities under a potential second Trump administration. While states have historically acted as “laboratories of democracy,” the previous administration’s focus on deregulation and anti-science policies hindered progress. Despite these challenges, California and other states are poised to lead innovative approaches and advocate for essential climate and clean energy policies, even in the face of federal opposition.
Highlights -🌍
- State Leadership: States like California are critical in driving climate policy. 🌱
- Federal Challenges: A second Trump administration may reverse climate progress. ❌
- Innovative Policies: Cap-and-trade and zero-emission vehicle standards can set national examples. 🚗
- Advocacy Required: Organizations must seek new funding and creative solutions. 💡
- Community Focus: Emphasis on protecting frontline communities in climate initiatives. 🏘️
- Resilience in Action: California aims to maintain its climate leadership despite federal roadblocks. 🌊
- Importance of Science: Continued advocacy for science-based policies is essential for progress. 🔬
Read what UCS experts expect from the second Trump administration on climate and energy, food and agriculture, global security, science and democracy, and transportation.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Louis Brandeis was the first to call states the laboratories of democracy. States have unique power in our federalist system to advance change. Indeed, UCS’ state-based strategies have focused on advancing some of the most innovative policies at the state scale, including cap and trade and zero-emission vehicle standards. Both have subsequently been adopted widely.
For the past four years, states like California have benefited from federal leadership that has made historic investments in climate action, clean energy, water, and clean transportation. We knew we could rely on the federal government to grant California regulators the ability to pass forward-looking policies necessary to make our air breathable.
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It’s about to get tough again for state leaders focused on the forward-looking climate, energy, water, transportation, food, and security policies that President-elect Trump and Project 2025 are seeking to dismantle and defund. But there is still progress to be made. As my UCS colleague in California, Don Anair, notes: even during the first Trump administration, there were successes in California for climate, clean energy, and clean transportation.
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Read the full post at Union of Concerned Scientsts.
