Issue: Transportation

As a climate advocate in 2026, it can be hard to see climate change as a top issue when there are so many crises competing for our attention. However, as the news cycle pushes out headlines highlighting just how much profit the fossil fuel industry is making from the conflict and instability in the Middle East, I’ve been thinking: if we transform our energy systems to be locally-controlled and sustainable, what could the ripple effects be for global peace and justice?

Come learn replicable organizing and campaign tactics, and connect with fellow Lab members working to advance an equitable clean energy transition and data center accountability

Skyrocketing gas prices, which have surged more than 60 cents per gallon since the start of the war with Iran, have ironically created a direct opening to reframe clean cars and EVs, as well as federal policy investments in them, as an economic and energy security imperative, not just a climate or environmental solution. Provides talking points, LTE, and social media guidance to hold the administration, and especially EPA and NHTSA, accountable for boxing us into this inescapable price volatility, while pivoting to the solution (i.e., that clean vehicles and especially those that run on stable, American-made electricity, structurally insulate drivers from global oil market chaos).

This Data for Progress poll shows that a strong, bipartisan majority of voters—across party lines—oppose repealing the Inflation Reduction Act. Most Americans support its clean energy and health care investments, with particularly high approval for policies like domestic clean energy manufacturing, tax credits for renewables and EVs, and pollution reduction in vulnerable communities. It’s a useful snapshot of broad public backing for climate and economic provisions in the IRA.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls – including new polling on Americans’ energy and vehicle preferences, new polling on polluter accountability amid Trump’s push to grant oil and gas companies legal immunity for their climate damages, and new polling of AAPI Americans.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls – including new polling on extreme weather, clean water, EVs, and voters’ perceptions about the costs of different energy sources.