Going Ahead Without US

The UN Climate Conference (COP30) convened in Belém, Brazil, this week bringing together leaders from governments, businesses, and civil society to tackle the defining challenge of our era – Climate Change. With global temperatures hitting record highs and extreme weather reshaping lives worldwide, the stakes could not be higher. 

Unfortunately, the US is not present at COP30. The shame of it all isn’t just that the US is not actively helping work to forestall climate related disaster, rather it is that the current US government is actively hostile to the idea all together.

One attending South American leader said, "The president of the United States at the latest United Nations General Assembly said the climate crisis does not exist. That is a lie.”  British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, lamenting the loss of unity that was present a decade ago at the Paris Climate Conference (COP21) on addressing the climate crisis, noted in his COP30 speech that, "Today, sadly that consensus is gone." French President Emmanuel Macron said, "Climate misinformation today poses a threat to our democracies, to the Paris agenda.” Meanwhile, the White House stated, "We will not allow the best interest of the American people to be jeopardized by the Green Energy Scam.”

Whatever your political philosophy, it is fair to say that the current US administration is pro-fossil fuels, is supporting burning more coal, and is opening our National Lands to dig up more of it.  All the while, actively suspending private green energy initiatives like off shore wind power by its dramatic shifting of long-established permitting for ocean-based energy. ACES, and all of us individually, know that we have to face the current facts. And the facts are that if we want to fight climate change, we are currently going to have to do it without Federal government leadership or financial support. If there is going to be any progress over the next few years, it’s going to be up to us at state and local levels for now.

An emerging model of how this might play out is seen in the example of the C40 Cities collaborative. Starting with just 40 original cities, C40 is now a global network of over 100 mayors taking decisive actions to confront the climate crisis and to create a future where everyone can thrive. This group asserts that they can help cities move forward and move rapidly toward collaborative local solutions. Working together with communities around the world and helping lead with ideas and examples, their 97 largest collaborating cities represent nearly 25% of the global economy. Their well- designed and activated pilot programs, their new ways of operating, and their proven solutions are pointing the way toward a more sustainable collaborative future for the planet.

For many years, both locally and at the state level, we have shown that we New Englanders care about the environment and the climate and have taken positive steps toward creating a more sustainable future for our region. Locally, Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury are all designated MA Green Communities and as early adopters of best practices for sustainability and environmental friendliness. These four communities, among many others state-wide that have supported the environment in practical ways.  In an early example from about a decade ago, we created a project allowing the flow of solar powered electricity from the Rabbit Road solar farm in Salisbury into our region. It was an astute move and it made our area just that bit better for our climate while providing our communities cleaner and more cost-efficient electricity.

As individuals, we can help too and we can save ourselves money while we help the climate by looking up MassSave https://www.masssave.com/get-started/homeowners.  Schedule an energy audit, and maybe consider getting an electric heat pump to save on oil or gas for heating. MassSave can also offer opportunities like insulating your home for free or a deeply discounted cost. Individuals also make a difference like we see on “This Old House” episodes where Newburyport area has occasionally been featured employing energy-saving home repairs and complete upcycling of older homes.

Reading Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon’s column in last week’s Daily News confirmed it for us.  ACES is going to keep working for the climate and the environment, even if it means going ahead without the US government for now.

Meanwhile we invite you to stay updated on environmental matters by subscribing to our monthly newsletter on ACES’ website https://www.aces-alliance.org/. Please consider joining our community of stewards committed to Make Every Day Earth Day by contacting acesnewburyport@gmail.com Subscribe to our Instagram www.instagram.com/acesalliancenbpt/ and Facebook www.facebook.com/ACESAlliance/pages to stay informed.

This educational column was originally published by The Daily News of Newburyport on November 14, 2025.