When the Trump administration came into power in 2017, it quickly launched an unprecedented campaign to roll back environmental protections. Over the course of four years, nearly 100 regulations were reversed or weakened, ranging from limits on power plant emissions to protections for migratory birds and clean water standards. One of the most symbolic actions was the shrinking of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, slashing protections for over 2 million acres of public land.
But resistance was swift—and creative.
When federal scientists and park staff were silenced by gag orders, an anonymous network of National Park Service employees and allies created the Alt National Park Service (AltNPS) Twitter account. Their mission was simple: speak truth to power. Using the NPS aesthetic and voice, AltNPS began publishing climate facts, criticizing government censorship, and amplifying environmental justice concerns. Their posts went viral, gathering hundreds of thousands of followers in a matter of weeks.
What is the AltNPS?
The Alt National Park Service (AltNPS) is a grassroots initiative created by former National Park Service employees and volunteers in response to political challenges to public lands and environmental protections. It advocates for climate action, supports public lands, and opposes policies that harm the environment.
Beyond social media, legal organizations like Earthjustice and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) began filing lawsuits to block environmental rollbacks. Grassroots campaigns surged, with marches, climate strikes, and a reinvigorated sense of urgency about environmental protections and climate science.
While the Biden administration made progress in restoring protections and investing in clean energy—most notably through the Inflation Reduction Act—the battle was far from over.
Environmental protections remain constantly threatened, from aggressive fossil fuel lobbying to new judicial limits on federal regulatory power (e.g., West Virginia v. EPA). With the reality of Trump’s second presidency upon us, activists and watchdog groups are once again mobilizing.
So the question is: What happened to the resistance movements that emerged in 2017—and what are they doing now? And, probably most importantly, who else is stepping up to champion the environment?
What Happened to the Resistance? AltNPS 2.0
As the years progressed, AltNPS transitioned from a reactive force—a way to voice frustration and call out specific threats—to a more organized, proactive organization. Today, AltNPS has evolved far beyond its original roots as a protest movement. While it still acts as a watchdog, holding both public officials and industries accountable, it has become much more strategic in its approach.
Rather than simply responding to government actions, AltNPS now actively educates the public on the importance of environmental policies, climate science, and the broader implications of federal inaction. Their social media platforms are rich with information, offering insights into policy developments, climate issues, and tips for community involvement.
AltNPS has expanded its role as an amplifier for climate justice, supporting Indigenous communities, underrepresented groups, and local activists in their fight for sustainable policies. The group has helped elevate the voices of marginalized communities that are disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation.
As the threats to public lands and climate policies continue under Trump’s second presidency, AltNPS remains at the forefront, not just as a protest movement but as a strategic force for environmental advocacy.
In response to significant National Park Service (NPS) layoffs and the gutting of federal environmental agencies in February 2025 by the Trump Administration, the role of AltNPS has become even more vital. The movement has grown in both scope and impact, continuously adapting to the shifting political landscape. AltNPS 2.0 now plays a crucial part in advocating for stronger environmental protections and a more transparent, accountable federal government.
Policymakers Stepping Up: Climate Action at the State & Local Level
While federal leadership on climate change has fluctuated wildly in recent years, state and local governments have also emerged as the frontline defenders of environmental policy. In some cases, local policymakers implemented ambitious plans that rival—or even surpass—national goals. Crucially, many of these policies serve as buffers against potential, and legitimate, federal rollbacks and threats in Trump’s second administration.
State Climate Leaders: California, New York, Illinois, and Washington
- California has long been considered a bellwether for environmental regulation. In 2022, the state passed legislation requiring 100% zero-carbon electricity by 2045, set new limits on oil drilling near homes and schools, and committed to carbon neutrality by 2045.
- New York adopted the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019, one of the nation’s most aggressive climate laws. The act mandates an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and requires that 70% of the state's electricity come from renewable sources by 2030.
- Illinois has emerged as a leader in renewable energy and climate action in the Midwest. In 2021, Illinois passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), setting a target of a 100% carbon-free power sector by 2045 and creating a pathway for a transition away from coal. The law includes provisions for equitable job creation in clean energy sectors and a just transition for communities historically reliant on fossil fuels.
- Washington State launched a cap-and-invest program in 2023 that creates a statewide carbon market and reinvests the revenue into communities, transportation infrastructure, and clean energy initiatives.
These states show how subnational policy can drive innovation and accountability, even when federal leadership stalls or outright slashes environmental policymaking.
Red States, Green Progress: Bipartisan Support in Action
Climate policy isn’t limited to traditionally blue states. In recent years, bipartisan progress has quietly taken hold in areas not typically associated with climate leadership:
- In South Carolina, the state’s largest electric utility company, Duke Energy, has partnered with local leaders to invest in solar energy and grid modernization, driven by cost savings and public support, with the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
- Iowa now generates over 64% of its electricity from wind power, the highest percentage of any US state, largely thanks to economic incentives and bipartisan backing from rural lawmakers and business leaders.
Even as climate change remains politically divisive in national rhetoric, localized action is pragmatic, jobs-driven, and quietly effective.
Pushing Policy: Environmental Activism in 2025 and Beyond
One thing hasn’t changed in a Trump 2.0 presidency: the environmental movement is still fighting—louder, smarter, and more coordinated than ever. Many of the same groups that rose to national prominence during the Trump years have continued to push back against climate inaction, fossil fuel expansion, and political backsliding. What’s changed is the terrain and the tactics.
Legacy Organizations Still on the Frontlines
Groups like Earthjustice, NRDC, and the Sierra Club have doubled down on litigation and policy advocacy to keep environmental protections intact:
Earthjustice has led high-profile lawsuits to protect endangered species, defend clean air regulations, and stop illegal drilling projects. Their legal team recently challenged efforts to weaken the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a cornerstone of environmental review.
NRDC continues to pressure federal agencies, sue polluters, and work with communities facing environmental injustice. Their work now includes fighting fossil fuel exports and supporting renewable energy development in underserved areas.
The Sierra Club has expanded its Beyond Coal campaign to include Beyond Fossil Fuels, mobilizing volunteers in all 50 states to advocate for clean energy investments and environmental justice.
These organizations are no longer just watchdogs—they’re the architects of US climate resilience and environmental policy.
A New Generation of Climate Champions
The Sunrise Movement, founded by young climate activists in 2017, has matured into a national force. While known for organizing sit-ins and climate strikes, their focus in 2025 has shifted toward electoral mobilization, local campaign work, and policy shaping.
Youth-led groups like Fridays for Future and Zero Hour continue to engage students and Gen Z voters, keeping the pressure on policymakers to act at every level.
Why the Movement Still Matters
The environmental resistance that surged during the Trump presidency was not a moment—it was the beginning of a movement. Since then, activists, scientists, policymakers, and everyday citizens have built a more resilient, informed, and diverse front line for climate action. But the fight is far from over. Can climate change even be reversed?
Today, the threats have evolved: a conservative-majority Supreme Court limiting regulatory authority, an aggressive fossil fuel lobbying effort, widespread disinformation campaigns, significant cuts to federal climate research funding, and a current executive administration that is openly antagonistic toward climate science. Even as the Biden administration made historic investments in clean energy through the Inflation Reduction Act, many of those gains remain politically vulnerable.
The truth is, climate policy is only as strong as the people who defend it. And as we head deeper into 2025, we’re reminded that progress isn't permanent—but resistance is powerful.
Becoming an Environmental Policy Champion
Whether you’re new to climate activism or looking for ways to re-engage, here are a few ways to make an impact:
- Follow and support organizations like Alt National Park Service to stay informed and amplify factual, science-based content.
- Donate to frontline organizations like Earthjustice, NRDC, and the Sunrise Movement, whose work spans litigation, policy, and grassroots organizing.
- Get involved locally. Support state and municipal policies that invest in clean energy, environmental justice, and climate resilience. These efforts build a firewall against federal backsliding.
- Vote in every election—not just for presidents, but for city council, state legislature, and utility board. These races often decide the future of your air, water, and energy.
- Pursue a career in environmental policy. Consider earning a master’s degree in environmental policy, climate science, or even a green MBA. The movement needs more policymakers, planners, and leaders who are equipped to create lasting, systems-level change. There are a number of ways to turn your environmental activism into a lifelong career in sustainability.
History has shown that when people organize, speak out, and stay engaged, they can stop rollbacks, win protections, and create lasting change. The fight still matters—because protecting the planet means protecting each other.
Learn more about Bard's MS in Environmental Policy by downloading our free resource, A Guide to Getting an Environmental Master's Degree. You can be the movement.
