Despite political setbacks under Trump, climate activists, local governments and legal victories worldwide are quietly driving environmental progress.
In short:
- A Montana court sided with youth climate activists, reinforcing the right to hold polluters accountable, inspiring similar legal actions nationwide.
- Organizations like ClientEarth are winning key international cases, from halting destructive gas projects in Italy to challenging corporate greenwashing in Poland.
- Despite U.S. federal rollbacks under Trump, local leaders, businesses and cities — like Houston’s green energy pivot — are driving climate progress independently.
Key quote:
“Under the new administration in the United States, the leadership of local communities will be more important than ever.”
— Ahmed Gaya, director of the National Partnership for New Americans’ Climate Justice Collaborative
Why this matters:
While national politics often dominate headlines, local actions, legal victories and grassroots efforts are making real progress in combating climate change — proving that meaningful change doesn’t always come from the top. The climate crisis is far from solved, but these wins matter. They prove that progress isn’t just possible — it’s already happening.
Read more: Youth v. Montana — Young adults speak up
