Governors take climate action into their own hands as national efforts stall
States and provinces across the globe are forging ahead with aggressive climate policies and forest protections while national governments remain gridlocked or retreating from international commitments.
Mary Nichols writes for The Conversation.
In short:
- Subnational leaders from tropical regions are spearheading forest conservation and climate action efforts, often outpacing national governments in ambition and execution.
- U.S. governors, united in the U.S. Climate Alliance, represent over half the nation’s population and economy as they enact emissions-cutting policies despite federal rollbacks.
- Programs in places like Ecuador, Brazil, Mexico, and Indonesia are reducing deforestation through community partnerships, carbon markets, and sustainable economies.
Key quote:
“It’s no wonder that philanthropic and business leaders from many sectors are turning to state and provincial policymakers, rather than national governments.”
— Mary Nichols, distinguished counsel, Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the University of California, Los Angeles
Why this matters:
The planet’s tropical forests, including the Amazon and rainforests in Indonesia and Central America, are vital to regulating the global climate, soaking up carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. Yet they are rapidly disappearing. With national governments often mired in political gridlock or reversing course on climate commitments — as seen with the U.S. exit from the Paris Agreement — states and provinces have emerged as unlikely climate leaders. These subnational entities, closer to the consequences of climate disasters and equipped with real authority over land use and development, are showing that targeted policies and local collaboration can slow forest loss. Their work offers a roadmap for how climate resilience and economic development might go hand in hand, even in regions under tremendous environmental pressure.
Related: Indigenous youth from around the world demand action for climate justice at UN summit
