President-elect Donald Trump is set to launch an all-out attack on federal regulations, including those that protect public health and safety, environmental quality and climate stability.

So, in a repeat of 2016, America will depend on states, cities, businesses, corporations and families to confront climate change voluntarily, aggressively and at scale. Because the U.S. is the world's largest oil and gas producer and Trump plans to produce more, the subnational and private-sector response will have worldwide as well as national implications.

Some analysts think the U.S. can decarbonize despite Trump's sell-out to Big Oil. The Rhodium Group, an independent research organization, took stock of America's progress last July. It reported that greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 were 18 percent lower than in 2005. With its existing policies, the U.S. is on a path to cut its emissions 38percent to 56 percent below 2005 levels by 2035, Rhodium said.

The upper end of that estimate approaches the goal just announced by President Biden — emission cuts of 61 percent to 66 percent by 2035 — to keep America on track for net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century. Biden's top climate policy advisor, John Podesta, is optimistic. He cites $450 billion in clean energy investments already announced by the private sector.

In addition, states and localities have significant authority to address global warming, from building codes to transportation planning and urban designs. Businesses can have substantial impacts by limiting emissions in their operations and supply chains.

Unfortunately, Trump's plans mean the national policies in place this year won't be in place........

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