Right now, our global energy system relies on burning wood, organic matter, or fossil fuels. Burning these carbon-based substances pollutes the air and drives climate change. Increasing clean, renewable energy decreases pollution and improves health on a local, regional, national, and global scale.

Clean energy is also good for our economy. Power from renewable sources, like solar and wind, is now cheaper than power from new fossil fuels. Cheaper power sources mean more opportunity for economic growth.

Air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels has wide-ranging and damaging health effects from the pollutants themselves to the way they impact extreme heat, wildfires, and more. Particle pollution, or soot, from power plants and other industrial facilities, for example, has been linked to everything from asthma attacks to heart attacks to preterm birth to cancer. Mercury from coal-fired power plants can cross the placenta of pregnant moms and has been linked to cognitive issues in babies and children. Tailpipe pollution from buses, cars, and trucks is equally harmful. Clean energy does not result in similar health concerns.

In the U.S., historically marginalized communities of color are more likely to live near sources of dirty energy, including gas production facilities and power plants. These communities are already disproportionately impacted by climate change and bear the brunt of floods and other natural disasters, while also suffering the most negative health effects of air pollution. Moving toward zero climate pollution across many sectors will reduce this burden while providing justice and new economic opportunities. More work is needed to continue to create a more just global supply chain of sustainable energy stalwarts like rechargeable batteries–from mining to toxic waste recycling.

We’ve been working for more than a decade to get laws and rules in place to cut climate pollution by increasing the renewable, sustainable energy powering our grid. On August 16, 2022, we had a stunning victory when President Joe Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA includes historic investments in clean power, clean cars, and clean air.

Many of these funds were allocated in 2023 and 2024 to clean energy projects across the country, but Trump has moved to unconstitutionally freeze the remaining money, stalling our progress. Moms are fighting back, calling out what’s at stake—our children’s health and future—in the media and in our communities.

We are also working to expand clean energy at the state level. Many U.S. states have set carbon reduction targets that will move us away from dirty fossil fuel energy to cleaner renewable energy sources, like solar and wind. Moms works with state lawmakers and regulatory agencies to ensure the transition to sustainable energy happens. Find out more about our state work to expand clean energy by visiting our state webpages.