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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
These states show how subnational policy can drive innovation and accountability, even when federal leadership stalls or outright slashes environmental policymaking.
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:
Even as climate change remains politically divisive in national rhetoric, localized action is pragmatic, jobs-driven, and quietly effective.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether you’re new to climate activism or looking for ways to re-engage, here are a few ways to make an impact:
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.