— Written by Lyle Jarvis

State and Local Progress is Very Much a Thing

The federal government’s role in the climate crisis has been – let’s just say –  top of mind lately. To keep our sanity, we’ve been focusing on climate wins at the state and local levels, which have enormous impacts on the planet! In fact, estimates show that non-federal leadership can achieve 54-62% of our emissions goals by 2035. This is a BIG DEAL!

More than two dozen states have already instituted targets on things like reaching economywide net-zero emissions, pledging clean energy grids and more. Check out this table for states leading the charge in clean energy investments, and this article for the most important actions we’ll be keeping our eye on!

State and local progress comes in all shapes and sizes. Michigan signed into law a road map to be entirely carbon neutral by 2050. Texas (yes, Texas), despite efforts to the contrary, is leading the nation in wind electricity, investing a whopping $144 billion in clean energy over the past six years. Voters in South Dakota overwhelmingly rejected a ballot measure last year around pipeline construction, which was a massive win for the climate fight.

A few issues back, we featured a beautifully shot short film about conservationists working to protect a nature reserve in Wisconsin, called Weathering The Change: Climate Adaptation at Rush Creek. Since then, we’ve been on the hunt for more regional stories, and found these ones to be great sources of optimism:

1. An Indigenous community on the Flathead Reservation created its own climate action plan.

2. To combat Phoenix’s extreme heat, a new program is helping provide sustainable shade.

3. Patagonia released a film last year about Amy Bowers Cordalis and her fight to reverse generations-long destruction, and protect ecosystems on the Klamath River.

Each one serves as a reminder that local progress is happening all over the United States!

What’s Happening in Your Neck of The Woods? 🌲🌳 🌴 

We’ve compiled a few sources to help keep up to date with climate progress wherever you live:

1. The Climate Cabinet created a national scorecard, the first national tool to grade state legislators for their votes on climate and environmental justice legislation. Are your legislators fighting for a healthier future?

2. The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions put together these State Climate Policy Maps. Click on your state to explore its targets for slashing emissions!

3. The EPA offers a one-stop list for priority climate action plans in your state.

“How Can I Make an Impact?” 💪 

State and local climate battles begin on the ballot. By using your vote in local elections, you can make a huge impact on how money gets spent in your community, urging the transition toward a healthier, more livable planet. Trellis created a breakdown of how voters delivered climate wins in last year’s elections. 🗳️ Check it out!

Aside from your dollars or your votes, there are plenty of ways you can make a positive impact – the first one being your time. Wherever you live, there are already handfuls of groups in your community working toward a healthier planet. Science Moms made a list to get you started. 📝 

Spread the Word 🗣️

Know about some great local climate work that should be highlighted?  The New York Times recently launched its 50 States, 50 Fixes project to collect local climate solutions in all 50 states and they are asking for submissions.  Share your local story today!

👀 Some Stories You Might Have Missed This Week 🗞️📺

1. Countries at the U.N. shipping agency struck a deal on lowering fuel emissions and imposing fees on C02. (Reuters)

2. The city of Ann Arbor, MI is pushing to build its own renewable energy grid (New York Times)

3. Nearly 60 countries have “dramatically” cut plans to build coal plants over the past decade, and 35 have eliminated from their plans entirely. (CarbonBrief)

4. Lego opened a toy factory in Vietnam intended to run on entirely clean energy, though they are still seeking solutions to sustainable materials problems. (AP)