Climate advocates brace for Trump's return with new strategies

A coalition of environmental groups is preparing to defend climate policies against a second Trump administration, aiming to secure gains from the Inflation Reduction Act and bolster legal and grassroots support.

Georgina Gustin reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • Environmental groups have built more coordinated coalitions since Trump’s first term and plan to intensify grassroots and legal strategies.
  • They are focused on securing remaining funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, which allocated billions to clean energy programs that could be at risk.
  • Advocates stress the importance of state and local action to protect progress on climate goals in case of federal rollbacks.

Key quote:

“We’re ready. We have a plan to fight against any and all efforts to harm public health, climate action and the environment. We’re going to use every lever we have to defend people and nature.”

— Manish Bapna, president, Natural Resources Defense Council

Why this matters:

Environmental policies face a critical test as Trump’s reelection could undo recent climate progress, stymie U.S. emissions reduction and weaken international climate agreements. With federal policy in jeopardy, advocacy groups are preparing to fight locally and in court to keep the U.S. moving toward cleaner energy.

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