Clean energy has now surpassed coal as the world’s leading source of electricity. It costs less — with solar now the cheapest form of power by far — and can be installed faster than fossil fuel infrastructure. In fact, in the first half of 2025, clean energy demand outpaced fossil fuel power globally for the first time.
China has not only turbocharged its own clean energy technology and clean vehicle buildout, but has exported it all over the world, dwarfing U.S. oil and gas exports as well as electric vehicle sales. While the Trump administration is canceling solar projects on federal lands, California, Michigan, and Texas are rapidly expanding clean energy and storage capacity.
Despite clean energy momentum, the world saw record climate pollution in 2024. We just passed the first climate tipping point in tropical coral reefs with others threatening, including the Amazon rainforest. Meanwhile, the federal government continues to favor Big Oil interests, even during the shutdown, and target employees who work on scientific research and the enforcement of climate protection laws.
While the science and political realities are sobering, the world is making progress on clean energy and transportation. Every fraction of a degree of warming avoided will make our world more livable — cleaning our air and water while making energy more resilient and affordable for everyone.
California cities are also doing their part. To date, 15 cities — including Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco — have signed on to support making polluters pay for the climate damage they cause via a Polluters Pay Climate Superfund. The superfund could generate billions of dollars to invest in local, clean energy and climate initiatives.
I’m inspired by this progress, but given Trump’s relentless sabotage of climate gains, California must do more. California leaders, especially Governor Newsom, must be even bolder to scale up local, cheaper, clean energy solutions, transition rapidly away from fossil fuels, and protect all of us in the face of dangerous climate impacts. Join me in telling Governor Newsom to do more at COP30 and beyond!
This blog first appeared in The Climate Center’s bi-weekly newsletter. To keep up with the latest climate news and ways to take action for a climate-safe future, subscribe today!
