Experts in climate change are gearing up for a second term of a Trump presidency, which is expected to ignore the dangers linked to global warming. They are counting on Democratic governors, mayors, and environmental nonprofits to take the lead once more.

During his first term, President Donald Trump focused on expanding oil and gas production while reducing measures that tackle climate change, including withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accords. He has indicated he will prioritize economic growth over environmental concerns once again.

“We need states, cities, businesses, and organizations to take action as they did in 2017,” stated Gina McCarthy, former head of the EPA under President Obama and co-chair of the climate coalition America is All In. “We will not allow anyone to hinder the ability of future generations to live in safe and healthy environments.”

This past summer was recorded as the hottest since instrument monitoring started in the 1800s, with tree-ring analysis indicating it was the hottest in at least 2,000 years.

Experts assert that extreme heat alone is responsible for thousands of annual deaths in the U.S., in addition to the immense financial losses from climate change-exacerbated hurricanes and wildfires.

During Trump’s initial term, various climate initiatives shifted to states led by Democrats, such as California and Massachusetts, as well as cities spanning the political spectrum.

A 2022 survey found that 90% of mayors across the U.S. recognize human-caused climate change, with 97% expressing concerns over local issues like heightened wildfires, flooding, drought, and extreme heat events.

During a recent media call, McCarthy, accompanied by several Democratic governors and environmental advocates, stated they will “fill the void” left by the federal government as Trump continues his plans to deprioritize climate change.

“We have a duty to continue confronting the climate emergency,” remarked New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham during the call.

Drilling for Resources

One of the groups stepping up to address these issues will be the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan group of 24 governors who represent approximately half of the U.S. population and 60% of its economy.

While campaigning, Trump advocated for expanded oil and gas extraction and has committed to further increasing the already historically high levels of production. He has also stated plans to slow down the Biden administration’s movements toward promoting electric vehicle usage. The transportation sector, which encompasses cars, SUVs, and trucks, constitutes nearly 30% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA.

During his first term, Trump rolled back many federal climate initiatives, frequently criticized wind energy for being unappealing, and used his executive authority to appoint judges skeptical of climate science and remove experienced scientific advisors.

“We possess more oil than any other nation,” Trump stated in his Election Day speech, emphasizing his intentions to boost oil and gas extraction, claiming it will lower consumer prices for gas and groceries.

On Monday, Trump announced the appointment of former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Zeldin “will ensure quick and fair deregulation decisions that empower American businesses while preserving the highest standards for the environment, including clean air and water,” Trump declared during the announcement.

During the vice presidential debate on October 1, Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, acknowledged climate change as “a very important issue,” noting that many citizens are “understandably worried about unusual weather patterns.” Vice President-elect Vance emphasized that ensuring top-notch American manufacturing and energy production is essential for environmental protection.

“If we truly want cleaner air and water, the best course of action is to invest in American workers and the populace,” he remarked.

‘The stakes couldn’t be higher’

The hurricanes that struck Florida’s Gulf Coast this summer exemplify what experts warn is an escalating situation: Climate change is intensifying storm patterns, elevating sea levels, and increasing rainfall in certain regions.

Many climate scientists argue that a potential second Trump administration’s economic approach could expose the nation to greater long-term threats from flooding, wildfires, and hurricane winds. This is due to an anticipated rise in greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change rather than mitigating it.

Moreover, because Trump has consistently minimized the significance of climate change, experts are concerned that his administration would again prioritize short-term economic gains over funding essential, science-based measures for climate preparedness. These measures could include constructing flood defenses in Boston and New York City, relocating vulnerable communities in Alaska and Louisiana, and lessening wildfire hazards in California.

“When addressing climate issues, the stakes couldn’t be higher,” stated Professor Leah Stokes from the University of California, Santa Barbara, who specializes in environmental politics and is authoring a book about federal climate policy. “It’s relatively easy to dismantle institutions, but rebuilding them can take decades.”

Some climate advocates believe that there is ample opportunity to enhance both the economy and a “green” agenda at the same time. This could be achieved through investments in American-manufactured wind turbines, electric vehicles like Tesla, creating jobs in solar panel installation, and innovating methods for farming that require less water.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham emphasized that investors understand the need for swift action, regardless of the federal administration’s stance. While oil and gas production is New Mexico’s largest industry, the state has significantly increased its wind energy output since 2019.

“We’ve been in this situation before… and we know the economic advantages lie with us. The climate economy presents enormous opportunities,” Lujan Grisham noted, who co-chairs the Climate Alliance. “The private sector has mobilized trillions of dollars across the United States, and there’s truly no reversing that trend.”

Long-term Commitment is Crucial

Numerous state governments are actively investing in building resilience against climate impacts. Even in regions where climate change isn’t viewed as a pressing concern, some leaders are focusing on the economic benefits of resilience.

In Wyoming, Republican Governor Mark Gordon expresses hope that Trump will provide consistent federal support for emerging technologies like carbon capture, which involves machines that extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and securely store it underground. Proponents argue this technology could help mitigate the climate consequences of coal mining, encouraging power companies to continue utilizing it.

However, current carbon-capture technology has not yet advanced to a scale that would produce significant results, and advocates seek assurances that their investments in needed infrastructure and workforce will be worthwhile, regardless of the political climate. Wyoming’s coal industry is gradually declining as energy producers transition to cleaner alternatives.

Gordon aims to safeguard Wyoming’s economy by balancing coal production with the promotion of carbon-capture innovations.

“Presidential terms create instability for businesses; my goal is to ensure we build sustainable careers for the future, which means we need to instill confidence in long-term commitments,” Gordon said.

Nonprofits are Committed to Climate Action

Orbiting 300 miles above Earth, a newly launched satellite from the Environmental Defense Fund, aimed at addressing climate change, surveys the planet for methane, a potent greenhouse gas, while monitoring governmental efforts to curb emissions.

The EDF, which deployed the MethaneSAT this summer, wanted to ensure that it could independently monitor one of the greenhouse gases largely responsible for global warming, without relying on U.S. government oversight.

“For the first time, we have a tool that can hold not only industry accountable but also government accountable,” said Mark Brownstein from the Environmental Defense Fund. “This data will provide the clarity needed to determine whether the government is effectively addressing its obligations.”

Under a Trump-led administration, EDF may leverage measurements from MethaneSAT to initiate legal action against the federal government for enforcing methane emissions regulations established in 2022.

On Tuesday, the Biden administration finalized regulations aimed at enforcing methane emission limits, though there is a possibility that Trump might try to reverse them.

Fred Krupp, the president of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), stated, “No nonprofit, not even all of them combined, can replace the actions needed from our governments. Regardless of the political climate, we must contribute as much as possible. A U.S. government retreat from climate change efforts would have severe consequences.”

Officials at the National Audubon Society express pride in their collaboration with both Democratic and Republican administrations. They believe there is bipartisan support for clean energy initiatives and measures to enhance community resilience to climate change, benefiting both people and wildlife.

Felice Stadler, vice president of government affairs at Audubon, remarked, “Birds are apolitical; they don’t belong to either party and their migration spans borders. We will persist in advocating for climate solutions regardless of who holds the presidency. A significant cutback on investments in these solutions could disrupt local economies and U.S. manufacturing while also causing ecological harm, putting frontline communities at increased risk from climate-related disasters.”