Inaugural Preparations in Washington DC. © Tim Aubry / Greenpeace
Preparations are made around the District of Columbia for the January 20th Inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump. Trump will take the oath of office from inside the Capitol Rotunda due to forecasts of intense cold weather, upending months of meticulous planning for a massive outdoor event with crowds sprawling down the National Mall. Flags remain at half staff over the White House for the mourning period following the death of former President Jimmy Carter. © Tim Aubry / Greenpeace

As President-elect Donald Trump today becomes the 47th president of the United States, his return to power marks a setback for both climate and social action. He is already stacking his cabinet with billionaires and corporate executives who will likely prioritize their own profits and interests over tackling urgent issues of concern to a majority of Americans, including the worsening climate emergency.

Not only is Big Oil on an all-out assault on our communities and our future by making the climate crisis worse, fossil fuel companies like Energy Transfer are threatening our fundamental right to protest in an attempt to silence Greenpeace USA and our collective fight for a greener, more peaceful future.

But – despite unprecedented attacks on our organization and our movement – Greenpeace USA is not backing down.

Although the fight may have gotten tougher, our commitment to our work is stronger than ever. And while the next four years will bring a mixture of resistance and resilience, there remain more than a few reasons for optimism.

Below are four priorities as we enter this new era:

Reinvigorating a broad movement of people power.

Whether blocking new fossil fuel projects, finalizing a global plastics treaty, or holding corporations and politicians accountable, we will continue to use people power to show how collective pressure leads to meaningful, tangible victories.

Making gains at the subnational level.

While Trump may try to delay action, the clean energy transition in the U.S. will proceed – and climate action at the state level will continue. Most recently, New York signed into law a bill to make polluters pay; last summer, Vermont did the same. California continues to pass legislation that pushes the needle towards climate action.

Using – not abusing – the courts.

Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are being increasingly used by corporations to try to silence dissent and muzzle public opinion – putting our democracy at risk. Yet at the same time, lawsuits attempting to hold corporations accountable for environmental and social harms are increasingly moving forward, and we can expect more litigation at the state and local level to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable. Greenpeace USA will continue to work to ensure that the courts are used for justice – by backing climate litigation brought forward by victims of harm, and pushing back against frivolous SLAPP lawsuits.

Standing in solidarity with broader communities.

Greenpeace USA doesn’t stand alone. We uplift allies, champion equity and defend fundamental rights to ensure everyone’s needs for clean air, safe water, stable livelihoods and secure futures are met. This is one of the reasons we are fighting back so hard and publicly against the lawsuit being brought by Energy Transfer – because we must protect the fundamental First Amendment rights for everyone.