Press briefing: U.S. Climate Leaders Defy Trump’s Fossil Fuel Agenda and Advance a Just Transition

Press Contacts: 

Sriram Madhusoodanan, U.S. Climate Action Network (USCAN), smadhusoodanan@usclimatenetwork.org,  +1 857 413 6428

Shravya Jain-Conti, shravya.jainconti@gsccnetwork.org, +1 917-328-6973

Belém, Brazil — On November 13, at COP30 in Brazil, climate policy experts from the U.S. Climate Action Network along with several other leading U.S.-based organizations, including IPS New Mexico Fellow Feleecia Guillen, spoke during a powerful panel discussion about what is needed for the United States to tackle the urgency of the climate crisis and how U.S. movements are mobilizing for a just transition away from fossil fuels. Despite the U.S.’s notable absence from COP30, U.S. governor and mayors are participating, and the panel’s experts offer a clear vision for how those policymakers can demonstrate climate leadership.

The following is a press advisory from U.S. Climate Action Network featuring key remarks from the panel:

Full video of the panel: here

Highlights from panelists’ remarks:

Sriram Madhusoodanan, Director of Climate Advocacy & Policy, U.S. Climate Action Network (Moderator): 

“The current US administration is inflicting immense pain on billions of people around the world – and yet, hope is not lost. USCAN and its members represented here at COP30 are here to share a message of defiance, urgency, and hope. Despite the US absence here, the work continues on the ground.” [1:00]

Colette Pichon Battle Esq., Vision & Initiatives Partner, Taproot Earth (USCAN Board Member; CAN-I Board Member):

“2025 marks 20 years since the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf South, including the Bahamas and southern region of North America. The devastation that came with that storm was unforgettable, and the recovery that followed was unforgivable.”

“We are here not only to advocate for the protection of the places we love and call home, but this year we are here to reassure the global community that despite a failure of leadership, the “us” that matters – the frontlines of the climate crisis, and the advocates for justice – are here.”

 “We call on the United Nations and other global bodies to shift from current policies that limit current participation of local and Indigenous people – we are on their land, they have a right to be here. They should not be required to take permission to participate.” 

“We bring the power of the civil rights movement, the Black Lives Matters movement, the climate justice movement. We are here, we are ready to take the lead when our leaders don’t show up.” 

On participation of governors and mayors at COP30: Some of us live in what is called the “red zones”, meaning we will probably never have representation at a gathering like this. I found it really helpful to see Governor Newsom here. The U.S. and its citizenry has forgotten what leadership looks like. You have to show up. You don’t have to be liked, you don’t always have to agree, but you have to be present. I think it says something about those who show up even when they know they will receive unfavorable remarks, some critiques, but they are still here.”

Ean Thomas Tafoya, Vice President, GreenLatinos

“We are resilient, we’ve been here before. Our ancestors and elders worked tirelessly towards self determination and a better environment for all. They faced xenophobia, intimidation, and violence, but the work continues.” [5:28]

“We are here to say loud that there are NO kings in the United States. Across the nation, communities are coming together with subnational governments and they are leading the way.”

We are creating the just transition we’re envisioning. 

• In Colorado, we are passing laws like the Environmental Justice Act. We’re passing Climate Protection Funds that guarantee 50% for disproportionately impacted communities. 

• In Puerto Rico and Texas, we are challenging liquid gas pipeline terminals. 
• In New Mexico and California, we are building wind and solar at a record pace.
• In Illinois, we are strengthening our grid and improving public transit.
• In Arizona, we are championing workers and affordable electric bills.

“We are the solar installers, the lawyers and engineers, we are the bus drivers, local farmers, and compost haulers. We are the water protectors. We are the leaders we have been looking for and we will be here when this administration falls away.”

Feleecia Guillen, New Mexico Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies 

“New Mexico is a sacrifice zone. We are federally recognised as a sacrificed zone. Extraction, contamination, and exploitation have defined our economy for far too long. And yet, even as our people continue to resist these injustices, Governor [Michelle] Lujan Grisham–who calls herself a climate leader–is doubling down on false solutions that perpetuate harm in our communities. She is promoting hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and the use of toxic fracking wastewater all under the banner of clean energy. But I want to make it clear, these are not climate solutions. These are lifelines for the fossil fuel industry, meant to delay a real transition.” [8:36]

“Trump’s attacks on climate, democracy, and human rights are being fought and resisted at every level. Even as we see rising authoritarianism in our streets and in our policies, the people of New Mexico are organizing to resist that agenda. Our own governor is unfortunately aligning with the same extractive playbook, just with a better branding, but we are resisting.” [9:35]

“The fight for fossil fuels is also the fight for democracy. Every time we say no to extraction, we are rejecting authoritarianism in all its forms.”

“Governors are here at COP30 presenting themselves as climate leaders. But leadership is not what you do on the global stage, it’s about what you do when you go home and face your communities. If you say you’re against Trump, please, prove it. Phase out fossil fuels, invest in a just transition, protect communities instead of corporations.”

On participation of governors at COP30: “It’s really important that us as grassroots organizations are pushing subnationals to be in these spaces, to fill the gap of the US presence. However, it’s still really important that we’re holding them accountable back at home.”

Jean Su, Energy Justice Program Director and Senior Attorney, Center for Biological Diversity

“When we talk about fossil fuels and this fight for climate, we cannot disentangle the fact that the fight against fossil fuels is the fight against authoritarianism. The fight against authoritarianism is the fight against fossil fuels. The fight to get everyone a dignified life with affordable energy and clean air to breathe and a safe climate.” [12:25]

“Two weeks ago, we had a landmark election, where the most famous city in the US [New York City] voted for a man [Zohran Mamdani] who promised anti-authoritarianism, and a man who said, look I’m going to give you affordable energy and clean air to breathe. There are people out there at the polls voting for something beyond fossil fuels and Trump’s authoritarian agenda.”

“The United States is ground zero for data centers right now. Data centers are the new lifeline for fossil fuels. All across the US, Big Tech and fossil fuels are teaming together to proliferate data centers. And what has been the outcome? Communities on the ground have been fighting back and winning. We have communities in Indiana, California, Arizona, and Virginia who have successfully fought off these new fossil gas plants and the data centers that drive them.”

“When you say people are tired in the US, absolutely, but people around the world have been experiencing authoritarianism at rising rates, there’s nothing new on that front. We are here in solidarity with those around the world who are facing other authoritarian leaders. It’s not about countries versus countries on climate, which is what the UN wants you to think. It’s about people and the planet vs corporations, and the politicians that they stand up.”

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