Cities and States Take Action on Climate Change Despite Federal Rollbacks

In recent times, those tackling climate change in the United States have faced challenges. The Trump administration’s policies included reversing key regulations aimed at curbing emissions that contribute to global warming. This has left many questioning the next steps for climate action.

Despite federal setbacks, numerous cities and states are pushing ahead with their own strategies to combat climate change. These local efforts are becoming increasingly important in the absence of strong federal support. On the latest episode of The Sunday Story, NPR’s Julia Simon explores how local solutions are being developed to address this pressing global issue.

One notable initiative is in Denver, where the city plans to utilize the thermal energy contained in warm wastewater. Cyclists passing by the Metro Water Recovery facility witness this effort in action as treated wastewater flows into the South Platte River. Such innovative strategies exemplify the proactive measures being taken at the local level.

For more insights and reports from NPR’s Climate Solutions week, listeners and readers can visit npr.org/climateweek. This episode was brought together by a team including producer Justine Yan and editors Jenny Schmidt, Sadie Babits, Liana Simstrom, and Rachel Waldholz. Ayda Pourasad ensured the accuracy of the facts, while Jimmy Keeley handled the audio mastering. Additionally, reporters Ishan Thakore from CPR, Bianca Garcia from WBUR, and Courtney Flatt and Lauren Gallup from Northwest Public Broadcasting contributed valuable reporting.

The team is eager for audience feedback and encourages emails to [email protected].