When it comes to climate action, we’re not going to sugarcoat it. What we’ve seen in terms of words and policies from the new administration is frankly dangerous. Federal support in principle and in practice is being slashed. These moves threaten to erase impressive progress and stall momentum at a time when the climate crisis is full blown, showing up in backyards from Western North Carolina to Los Angeles.  

The devastation from hurricane flooding and wildfires isn’t a scare tactic at this point – it's a reality check.  

Crossing your fingers and just hoping that your community isn’t next on climate change’s Bingo card is not a smart or effective strategy.  

And even when climate impacts don’t reach global headline status, we’re all getting a front row seat – from the consistent uptick in extreme heat and heat-related deaths to the frequently flooded roads and buildings, widespread power outages and damage after more intense storms. 

We don’t have all the answers, but this is what we find reassuring: One constant regardless of who has been in the Oval Office stretching back 2+ decades has been local leadership on climate and sustainability.  

There is enough momentum and support outside of Washington, DC, to give us hope that we’re not going to let them take away the solutions we’ve already embraced. Other countries, entire industries, companies (case in point: all the EV advertisements during  Super Bowls)  and Americans in red and blue states (72% of Americans have expressed concern about climate change, including 55% of Trump’s voter base) are already shifting their expectations and actions to reflect the urgency of the climate crisis and the opportunities to be tapped in solutions.  

Nowhere is this more true than cities, towns and counties – those who are on the front lines of climate change impacts and solutions, ready to fill the void if the federal government abdicates its responsibilities.

As local government leaders on climate action, you are uniquely positioned to meet this moment by taking bold action in your communities. Here’s what you can do:  

Be loud and proud. Tell your community members what climate and sustainability solutions you’re implementing and how it benefits them. There is overwhelming support across political lines for the solutions that tackle climate change – electric vehicles, heat pumps, energy efficiency, clean energy, waste reduction – and create more resilient communities and clear benefits from adopting these solutions. Keep in mind 64% of Americans agree that investing in climate solutions will benefit communities and make the country stronger.  The more we show people the results and tell people the success stories in their own backyards, the more that support and action will grow. 

Make the investment. Local governments cannot rely on grant money to advance climate action. Trump’s recent freeze on and attempted reversal of federal funding affirms that. This has to be a priority for your own budget dollars. The majority of KLA’s clients are *not* hiring us with grant money.  Build support for these investments by integrating your core values and climate priorities across departments (we've got a framework for that) and ensuring your elected officials, stakeholders and community members know about the ROI (lower energy costs, resilience, etc). 

Be laser focused and wicked strategic. Given the urgency of the climate crisis, launching a community-wide recycling awareness campaign in 2025 won’t cut it. We have to focus our limited resources on what we call “high impact strategies” -- the solutions like electrifying our buildings and transportation that will cut the most emissions the fastest AND can be quantified by your community.  

Of course, not everyone can afford to make the switch to an EV or add solar panels. But we need to reach those people who can and match the high impact action to the right audience. People who live in a home that is 15+ years old might be ready for a new heating/cooling system, so that’s who you target with information about heat pump benefits and incentives. (Kim shared more on this in a post about implementing high impact actions  and another on our data-driven approach.) Fortunately, we don’t have to force unwanted behavior change or even make it something they have to think about – the most important actions might be big decisions, but they are one-time decisions that will pay dividends forever.