Climate Leaders and Elected Officials Host Mass Organizing Kickoff Call Following Donald Trump’s Inauguration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2025
CONTACT: Saul Levin, slevin@greennewdealnetwork.org, (248) 885-2639
Over 50 major organizations are united to resist Trump’s fossil fuel agenda in “What’s Next for Climate” mass call and will be coordinating events across all 50 states
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Leaders in the global fight for climate justice spoke to a live crowd of over 1,000 on Tuesday evening just one day after newly-sworn-in President Donald Trump declared an “Energy Emergency” to “drill, baby, drill” during Monday’s presidential inauguration ceremony. Hundreds of attendees signed up to organize events in their neighborhoods across all 50 states.
Convened by the Green New Deal Network, Climate Action Campaign, NextGen America and the Sunrise Movement among fifty other civil society groups, the call featured intersectional movement leaders, elected officials, and federal workers discussing the upcoming fight to protect the hard-fought climate victories of the past four years and defend against climate attacks to come.
Speakers included U.S. Senator Ed Markey and U.S. Representatives Delia Ramirez and Yassamin Ansari; former White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi; and intersectional climate, labor and disability rights leaders Kaniela Ing of the Green New Deal Network, KD Chavez of the Climate Justice Alliance, Aru Shiney-Ajay of Sunrise Movement, Bill McKibben of Third Act and 350.org, Sam Smith of the AFL-CIO, Kumi Naidoo of Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, Margie Alt of Climate Action Campaign, Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez of NextGen America, Tracey Lewis of Public Citizen, Kira Tiller of Disabled Disrupters, and Camila Thorndike of the Harris for President Campaign.
VIEW THE FULL CALL RECORDING HERE
Hundreds of attendees have committed to taking action in their communities in order to achieve the following goals:
- Defending Federal Climate Victories: The Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act have created hundreds of thousands of union jobs and pumped hundreds of billions of dollars into projects our communities need. Despite the challenges ahead, the movement must stand resilient, and not let the far-right dismantle hard-won progress.
- Moving Forward With Legislation at the State and Local Level: States, cities, and tribes have been the testing ground for bold climate policies. With an influex of federal funds now at their disposal, it’s time to build on these successes to create a national blueprint for change, – including expanding renewable energy to flex funding for transportation – and let states, cities, and tribes lead the charge.
- Making the Money Count: Ensure investments in climate initiatives reach the communities that need them most, even in red districts. Demand accountability and transparency in how public funds are spent on climate programs. Defend gains for environmental justice communities who have been fighting on the frontlines for decades.
Representatives from co-hosting organizations persisted:
“Donald Trump, in his inaugural address, pledged to ramp up the production of fossil fuels at the behest of his Big Oil campaign donors. This decision will further enable the fossil fuel industry to pillage our land and sea beds, dirty our air and water, and accelerate climate disasters that will ultimately cost our nation trillions of dollars . Trump promised to stand with working people, but so far seems to be working for the billionaires that literally stood at his side. Since 2020, the Green New Deal Network has organized to win the bold, systemic change our communities need, and tonight’s mass rally for climate justice shows that we are not stopping. We stand united across organizations, sectors, and communities to win the world our children deserve.” – Kaniela Ing, National Director of the Green New Deal Network
“The new administration’s plans to undo historic climate and clean energy progress threaten our environment, our economy, and our families’ health. Americans didn’t vote for dirtier air or water; we don’t support even more extreme weather events; we want a clean energy economy that helps us save money on our utility bills and puts people to work; and we want to lead the world on climate solutions. This powerful outpouring of support at tonight’s rally is heartening. We’ll be fighting Trump and congressional rollbacks of climate and clean energy progress every step of the way, and the many, many people joining us and are energized and ready to keep fighting for our future. If you ask me, the next four years are about Organize Baby, Organize!” – Margie Alt, Campaign Director, Climate Action Campaign
“As the wealthiest presidential administration in history takes power, young people remain determined to fight for a future that respects us, reflects us, and represents us. Donald Trump’s oligarchy is not fighting for young people, the planet, or our futures. We stand united with our climate partners in holding this administration accountable for their role in the climate crisis and their pandering to the billionaires behind Big Oil and Gas. Young people will fight for the freedom to drink clean water and breathe clean air for ourselves and for future generations.” – Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, President of NextGen America
“For 39 years, the third Monday of January has been used as a day of remembrance for Martin Luther King Jr., who embodied justice of all forms. However, on this third Monday, it also saw the return of Donald Trump, whose policies couldn’t be further from the principles Martin Luther King Jr. died for. Trump is determined to do the bidding of the fossil fuel industry by rolling back historic rules to protect communities from vehicle and industry pollution. Trump is determined to make our frontline communities more vulnerable to extreme weather events. Trump is determined to undermine US international leadership on the climate crisis. But, if there is one lesson I’ve learned from Martin Luther King Jr., it is not to back down in the face of pressure. Trump is going to learn he does NOT have an electoral mandate to pollute our air and water. He does NOT have a mandate to walk away from our climate goals. Tonight, we remind him we are just as determined to protect what the American people want as he is to do the bidding of the fossil fuel industry.” – Quentin Scott, Federal Policy Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network.
“Every day working people must rebuild our connections with one another and construct a vision for the future that supports democracy and climate. Generation Common Good is a commitment to defending the progress social justice movements have made. We will continue to build grassroots movements rooted in solidarity, care, and belonging in service of a more just future.” – Jasmine Banks, Executive Director, Generation Common Good
“Trump and his cronies are beholden to Big Oil, but we deserve a government that chooses people over polluters. We’re fighting against one of the biggest, most powerful, and most sinister industries on earth, but people power always wins. That’s why young people in the United States and around the world are organizing to end the era of fossil fuels, and that fight will continue until we secure our right to a livable planet.” – Zanagee Artis, Executive Director of Zero Hour
“Under the second Trump administration, it will be more important than ever that our cities and states continue to lead the charge towards climate action in absence of federal support. We need to respond to Trump’s pro-fossil fuel, pro-billionaire agenda by electing local progressive leaders who will lead on climate policy that puts people first.” – John Qua, Campaign Director, Lead Locally
“In a moment where upcoming national fights will be defensive, the Fund Climate campaign in New York is a chance to play offense and establish a strong, clear vision for progressive politics that excites people. 2025 will be the first year there is dedicated climate justice revenue in New York State to implement our landmark Climate Law. The Long Island Progressive Coalition is fighting tooth and nail alongside the statewide NY Renews coalition to ensure that funding goes to community-led climate justice solutions, increasing energy affordability, and repairing dangerous housing conditions.” – Ryan Madden, Climate & Energy Campaigns Director, Long Island Progressive Coalition
“Now more than ever, we need to come together to protect our progress and push for just, bold solutions to the climate crisis. We deserve a future where everyone can thrive. By standing united, we can build stronger communities and fight for the justice and resilience we all need.” – Amanda Robert, Network Manager, Michigan Climate Action Network (MiCAN)
“With rising greenhouse gas emissions, extreme weather patterns are increasingly disrupting housing, food production, resource access, and causing significant economic, mental, and physical health burdens. We deserve strong leadership committed to protecting our environment and public health.” – Yolanda Whyte, Executive director, Ethical And Respectful Treatment of Humans
“FridaysForFuture DC is proud to stand in solidarity with climate justice organizations across the country to resist the fossil fuel-driven agenda and demand bold, systemic change. The incoming administration may threaten our progress, but young people know that our future is non-negotiable. This moment demands that we rise together—not just for ourselves, but for future generations.” – Rosie Clemans-Cope, Climate activist, FridaysForFuture DC
“Donald Trump’s second term is as much of an existential threat as the climate crisis, with his plan to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement—a key treaty in global efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C. This comes at a time when the U.S. should lead a just global transition and fulfill its responsibility as the largest historical emitter to drastically reduce domestic emissions and support Global South countries through funding to phase out fossil fuels, adapt to climate change and rebuild from ongoing impacts. Paying our climate debt to these nations is both a moral imperative and in the U.S.’s self-interest—no country, including ours, can thrive in a high-emission world. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and our fight must go on.” – Valentina Dallona, Political Director, Justice Is Global
“SPACEs in Action strives for affordable, equitably, and environmentally-resilient housing for all. Environmental justice isn’t just an issue of the future; it’s a crisis of today as we fight against lead contamination in our water, gas pipelines in our homes, and rising housing prices in our community. When it comes to the health and safety of our homes, families, and children, we know that every day counts.” – Megan Salmon, Bilingual Grassroots Organizer, SPACEs in Action
“Of course we at Great Plains Action Society are worried about another four years of Trump, but we also know that the entire American paradigm is corrupt and built on violent, patriarchal colonization–white supremacy, land theft, christian extremism, slavery, bigotry, and genocide– making it one of the most corrupt bureaucracies in the world. We see the next four years as a time to fight this corrupt system while its administration openly perpetuates its long term horrific agenda.” – Sikowis Nobiss, Founder & Executive Director, Great Plains Action Society
“While the next four years will present many challenges, we remain committed to creating a better future for all. Change the Chamber will continue to work towards a more sustainable future by shifting climate messaging from doom and gloom to positive actions, and through educating our audience on how climate progress benefits everyone. We believe in engaging youth voices to ensure policymakers and large corporations know the next generation of their constituents and stakeholders, represented by today’s youth, will hold them accountable. We will continue to work with these key groups towards our common goal of creating a more climate-resilient and equitable future.” – Evey Mengelkoch, National Climate Fellow, Change the Chamber
About the Green New Deal Network
The Green New Deal Network is the hub of the Green New Deal, bringing together frontline communities, labor organizers, and climate activists from all across the country to drive massive public investments towards a Green New Deal at all scales of government. Over the past four years, the Green New Deal Network has set up a robust state infrastructure of over 600 organizations, representing millions of members, across 23 states, to drive local, state, and federal campaigns for transformative investments in climate, care, jobs, and justice. After a successful fight to win the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021 and 2022, we pivoted our work to ensure these new laws deliver tangible benefits to communities most impacted by the climate crisis and leverage the funds to pass 13 major state-level climate laws in 2023 and 2024. GNDN is now working to defend and expand upon our victories