Each season, we love checking in with you—our republicEn community—to hear what’s on your hearts and minds. This summer’s poll was no exception, and once again, your responses gave us insight, honesty, and hope (with a dash of frustration, too).
Who do you trust to make climate progress?
This question brings out both optimism and frustration. Many of you pointed to private sector innovation (29%) and grassroots, citizen-led movements (28%) — showing faith in creativity, collaboration, and the power of people coming together. At the same time, nearly one in four (24%) told us bluntly: progress feels stalled. That sense of stagnation is real. Trust in traditional institutions is low — only 15% look to state and local governments, and a mere 5% believe Congress or bipartisan coalitions can lead.
As Glenn B. in Georgia put it:
“The House and Senate GOP cannot speak up about climate or any topic that goes against Trumpism and MAGA doctrine. If they do, they will be ‘primaried.’ So they are basically ineffective. That means that climate concerns must rely on local organizations.”
Who should lead the way?
Here, your answers were loud and clear: scientists and technical experts (50%) were by far the top choice. Entrepreneurs and private companies (32%) came in second, with young people (8%), elected officials (6%), and faith or community leaders (6%) trailing behind.
Bill S. in Texas had a different take, reminding us that authority matters too:
“For #2, elected officials are best equipped because and only because they have the authority and power to compel reduction of fossil carbon use. Scientists and tech experts, faith and community leaders and young people are only jaw-flappers.”
The takeaway? You want people with knowledge and solutions leading, but you also recognize that power to act rests with lawmakers.
What gives you hope?
This question always tugs at me because the answers are so revealing. About 28% of you said market shifts—clean energy becoming cheaper—give you hope. The same number pointed to advances in technology (28%), like batteries, EVs, and nuclear.
But here’s the sobering part: 28% of you also said you’re not feeling hopeful right now — equal to those most optimistic categories above. Smaller numbers looked to local grassroots action (10%) or changing weather forcing awareness (6%) as reasons to hope.
Some of you voiced frustration and urgency:
David H. in Tennessee kept it simple:
“Press for a carbon fee and dividend program.”
Mark M. in Kentucky worried about political gridlock:
“Trump is a disaster for climate. Hopefully the damage he does in the next 3.5 years is limited and at some point technology kicks in because climate keeps getting caught in our culture wars so leaders won’t do anything.”
And Jack U. in North Carolina shared his discouragement:
“Trump and the MAGA arm of the Republican party have me so disillusioned with the direction our country is going that I find it difficult to think we will make much progress until we can return the Republican party to normalcy.”
I hear that—and I think many of us feel it too.
What this tells us
Reading through your responses, I was struck again by how practical, thoughtful, and honest this community is. You trust innovators. You believe in expertise. You see the power of local action. And you’re willing to admit when hope feels out of reach.
That’s why we’ll keep sharing stories of progress, spotlighting action, and reminding each other that we’re not alone in this work.
Thank you for lending us your voices, your candor, and your continued commitment to climate solutions that make sense. We couldn’t do this without you.
Poll answers represent republicEn members across 45 states, plus Washington D.C. and Northern Ireland. California submitted the most responses, followed by Texas. The political leaning of poll takers: 39% claim center, 32% lean right, 24% lean left, and 5% are unsure or prefer not to say.
Four times a year, republicEn seeks understanding by listening to the voices of conservatives who care about climate change.
Here are more shared thoughts and opinions from republicEn members:
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- “Solar energy, coupled with battery storage, is such an obvious solution. We need the government to get out of the way – permitting reform is sorely needed. Too much red tape to get stuff built.” – Andrew B. in California
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- “As a farmer and as a food producer it’s shocking to me that we are not listed as Leaders when we are the ones actually on the front lines witnessing it decade after decade love the work you’re doing but as an agrarian it frustrates me that rarely if ever the actual farmers and food producers are never taken into account!” – Andrea H. in Illinois
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- “As a conservative-leaning Independent with a background in science, I am disappointed with the Republican attitude towards climate change and clean energy. They take it to the extreme and make (sincere) activists like Greta Thunberg, out to be a “loony tune”. This is an example of the ignorant and mean-spirited attitude of some, initiated by the one who is setting the (negative) example, i.e. , President Trump. You can tell Mr. Trump what I stated.” – Edward C. in Tennessee
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- “The slogging work at the grassroots level will always be the least glamorous and the most impactful.” – Victoria C. in South Carolina
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- “There’s value in normalizing a long view. And turning to examples from nature for inspiration. For example, cement that mimics how coral pulls carbon out of the air to be carbon negative. Or how structural color can create colorful materials from cellulose. This comment sits adjacent to these specific questions; however, there’s a richness of opportunity that can reframe our options and anchor them in more hope. Biomimicry is the approach leading to interesting, scalable, marketable sustainable solutions.” – Andrew C. in Virginia
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- “Fossil fuel dark money has a grip on federal leaders this term, but only federal legislation gives me any hope. Creating political will for a border-adjusted, cash-back carbon fee on fossil fuel production by sharing the policy’s power and benefits at democracy rallies and elsewhere seems like an effective way to prepare the way for future legislation when the time is right for climate legislation.” – John G. in New Hampshire
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- “Is anyone thinking that if we had revenue from carbon fees we might use some of it for disaster recovery and mitigation?” – Trudy H. in Colorado
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- “The nuclear winds are blowing favorably right now. Alas, not for climate change reasons, but for AI-necessitated data centers. Whatever …. nuclear power and a carbon tax/tariff are our two silver bullets to address climate change. Regardless of the political trends today.” – Eric M. in Oregon
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- “We need to make this issue a republican talking point. Energy Independence and Self-Reliance are core values. Yet the residential ITC was struck down in the Big Beautiful bill. Why? I am not sure, but it was dumb. Giving an individual an incentive to invest in their own energy independence should be a Republican-backed issue. And not get the axe.” – Georgina P. in California
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- “Companies are innovating and making decisions in favor of non-carbon energy on financial merit. The Capital markets are supporting investments in this direction. All very good. BUT, government policy is atrocious and is serving to slow down a transition. I am a bit lost on how to stay respectful when the rhetoric is anything but.” – Max S. in Montana
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