We’re All in This Together
What Should Environmentalists Do Now?
By David Kunhardt
Defenders of environmental science are panicking. The election of a climate-denier to the White House, and his appointment of “Drill, Baby, Drill” advocates to lead federal agencies elevate alarm bells. Attacks on research funds have created chaos across universities and science organizations in red states and blue, wealthy cities, and modest rural communities.
Here are some suggestions for what environmentalists can do in response.
- First, keep your confidence. Demands from ideological toadies to eliminate words like “climate change” “global warming” and “DEI” from websites do not change reality. Yes, 2024 was the year of warmest average temperatures of atmosphere and oceans ever recorded, and it does not take a scientist to read a thermometer. Speak the truth as you see it, always.
- Next, defend progress. We have laws to defend clean water and clean air, and agencies that use science, like the EPA, NOAA, and the National Science Foundation. When you hear of threats, write and call your Members of Congress to defend them.
- Listen more intently. There are times when GOP Members defend science and progress. Before the election, 18 conservatives wrote to Speaker Johnson to not eliminate I.R.A. subsidies for clean energy, because they were creating good jobs in their districts. Jump up in support of those voices when they appear. Use their words – Innovation, Job creation, Independence – when appropriate.
- Support Bipartisan efforts and bills that promote climate defense. The existing Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, for example, and bills such as the Carbon Removal and Emissions Storage Technologies Act (the CREST Act), co-written by Susan Collins and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and co-sponsored by Coons (D-DE), Cassidy (R-LA) and Angus King (Ind-ME). Another is the Carbon Dioxide Removal Investment Act, proposed after the election by Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Michael Bennett (D-CO). Support the Fix Our Forests Act H.R. 471 by Bruce Westerman (R-AR).
- Support nonprofit advocacy. Choose the approach you are comfortable with and give generously. Citizens’ Climate Lobby, with which I’ve volunteered for 12 years, works together with bipartisan members of the House and Senate to defend progress and press further. The Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC.org, and EarthJustice.org take bold legal steps against the worst incursions on the environment. The Environmental Defense Fund, EDF.org, has a panoply of solutions, even including a satellite that tracks global methane emissions. The Nature Conservancy directly defends natural areas for biodiversity. The Sierra Club has focused teams and actions around the country. ThirdAct.org is a national community of seniors acting together against the causes of climate change. Wear the suit that fits you.
- Finally, don’t get discouraged. The worst Project 2025 actors want you to be immobilized by the present chaos, but the best antidote to climate anxiety is ACTION. Take it.
David Kunhardt of Scarborough is a retired solar executive and a volunteer with CCL Portland.
