Since President Donald Trump took office again, he has repeatedly dismissed climate change as a “con job.” This view has fueled significant rollbacks on environmental regulations. For instance, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) no longer had to enforce protections against climate pollution, and funding was slashed for important programs like the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
However, while the federal government has seen these setbacks, progress against climate change persists worldwide. In September, leaders at the United Nations set new greenhouse gas emission targets despite Trump’s skepticism. Notably, China achieved its 2030 climate goals five years early. Uruguay now boasts a power grid that runs on 99% renewable energy, and in South Africa, courts halted Shell’s oil exploration due to poor community engagement.
The U.S. has also seen environmental wins. Hawaiian researchers discovered a local fungus that can break down microplastics. Meanwhile, hypoxia levels in Long Island Sound are at their lowest in 40 years, and New Mexico invested $50 million in wildlife corridors. A lot of this progress happened at the state and local levels, showcasing the impact of community elections.
Globally, countries agreed to phase down harmful greenhouse gases known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol ratified in 2022. These gases, often found in refrigerators and air conditioners, can trap heat in the atmosphere far more effectively than carbon dioxide. By 2026, 171 nations aim to reduce their HFC use or switch to alternative coolants.
Interestingly, some U.S. environmental regulations have not just survived but thrived, even amid political pushback. In 2025, attempts to eliminate the Energy Star program backfired when wide support from manufacturers and advocacy groups helped keep it alive. Ben Evans, from the U.S. Green Building Council, noted that bipartisan backing for Energy Star shows strong political will for energy efficiency.
Moreover, while the Trump administration paused funding for a $5 billion initiative to expand electric vehicle (EV) chargers nationwide, over 40 states forged ahead. Joshua Rodriguez from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials highlighted that states recognized the rising demand for EV infrastructure, regardless of political affiliation.
Despite these efforts, the Trump administration has tried to suppress environmental information. Thousands of federal datasets have been altered or removed, jeopardizing crucial resources for tracking climate risks. Eric Nost, a geographer at the University of Guelph, started archiving important public data as early as 2024 to safeguard against this censorship.
Nost emphasized the importance of maintaining access to robust environmental information, especially for marginalized communities impacted by pollution. When essential tools were taken offline, Nost and his team worked swiftly to restore them.
The ongoing struggle against environmental data suppression highlights the resilience of advocacy groups that prioritize equitable access to information. As the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative states, every community deserves access to clear environmental information to seek justice and accountability.
In the face of challenges, the drive for climate progress continues. Activists, researchers, and governments show that, even when faced with obstacles, good work can happen to protect our planet and make sustainable choices accessible to everyone.
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