Climate’s Resilience Beyond the Election: A Look at Our New Reality

As the dust settles around the re-election of Donald Trump, it’s clear we’re facing a significant political shift that will deeply impact climate policy in the US and abroad. 

Trump’s record and rhetoric on climate —from his support for the fossil fuel industry to misinformation like his surreal claim that wind turbines harm whales—signal a likely pivot away from America’s climate commitments. It’s no wonder the last week has been marked by despair for those committed to climate action.

Yet, the conversations I’ve had with climate leaders since the election have pointed to a more nuanced outlook, one that moves beyond the obvious fears. This view begins with a somewhat obvious reminder: Climate change doesn’t care who holds the reins of political power. Its impacts, tangible and unforgiving, will continue to affect our ecosystems, economies, and communities. And while federal support is essential, the world of climate action has evolved into a robust ecosystem where diverse actors—businesses, states, and even local governments—are playing an increasingly influential role.

My most recent episode of Invested in Climate explores the impact of the election with two individuals working to shape a new climate narrative: Zach Friedman, Senior Director of Federal Policy at Ceres, Inc., and Caroline Spears, Founder of Climate Cabinet Action. Our conversation brought forward a sense of possibility I hadn’t expected.

Climate Economics 

The story of climate action in America has broadened. It’s not solely about environmental urgency, but economic necessity and global competitiveness. Transitioning to clean energy, updating building codes, and creating a consistent and level playing field for corporate decarbonization are not just political issues; these are business imperatives, with major investments coming from the private sector irrespective of politics.

Reversing course on the energy transition would mean slowing job growth in sectors that are now booming. In states like Texas, clean energy generation and energy efficiency retrofitting are creating tens of thousands of jobs and adding billions of dollars to its GDP. That’s why, as Zach pointed out, 18 House Republicans recently signed a letter supporting clean energy tax credits. The economic argument for the climate transition has broken through and will continue to do so as climate tech advances, and as it delivers better products and more competitive prices. 

This shift isn’t lost on the business community, which will look past the rhetoric and continue to invest in decarbonization. While SEC rules requiring companies to disclose climate-related risks and emissions are unlikely to survive the new Trump administration, such disclosures will still be required for companies operating in Europe and California. It’s true that many companies expect to fall far short of their net zero targets and a change in administration will only diminish accountability further, but the long march to cleaning up business will continue through and beyond the new administration. 

States at the Forefront: A Backbone for Climate Action

To put it simply: the federal government is not the only one with power. Cities and states matter too and are, in many ways, the backbone of our clean energy economy. They remain pivotal in enabling renewable energy development, setting emissions reductions targets, updating transportation infrastructure, and much more. 

Caroline recounted a story from earlier in her career that led to a surprising insight about the importance of state policy. When counting the number of solar projects in different states she realized that Massachusetts boasted over 60 solar projects, while Arizona had none—all due to state policy choices. States increasingly see the opportunities to invest in technologies that address climate change, and they don’t want to be left behind.

Last week, over 50 candidates backed by Climate Cabinet as climate champions won state and local elections in states like North Carolina, Wisconsin, and New Mexico. No matter what happens at the federal level, state, and local action will continue. 

Moving Forward with Hope, Pragmatism & Creativity

Let’s be honest: maintaining optimism can be a challenge. As we fail to cut emissions while witnessing faster-than-predicted climatic shifts, the future can of course feel quite scary. Add to that a new administration that, at best, complicates the climate transition, and it’s easy to imagine throwing in the towel. But if you’re reading this, I know that won’t be the path you choose. 

If you’re struggling to find hope, remind yourself that climate is unquestionably the biggest movement in human history. Every day, millions of people around the world work to protect the planet in one way or another. This movement will only grow as more young people enter the workforce and as more climate tech companies mature. And this movement is helping drive a true transition. The Science Based Targets Initiative reports that 90% of global GDP is now covered by net zero targets, up from just 16% only 5 years ago. 

Without the tailwinds of widespread government support, however, effective climate action will be as much about pragmatism as it is about resilience. The path forward will demand an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, but also flexibility and collaboration. Zach and Caroline’s insights reveal that to navigate the complexities of this new political era, we’ll need not just new technology, but also new partnerships, language, and the millions of Americans for whom climate action is a non-negotiable priority.

And yet, more is needed too. Relying on sub-national power and the economic arguments for mature, market-ready technology, will only go so far. This new era will require new ideas, new approaches, and smart, creative ways to win uphill battles.