You Can’t Protect the Planet Without Opposing Power

In Europe, companies can be sued for not doing enough on climate.

In the U.S.? They can be sued for doing too much.

That line from the Wall Street Journal might sound like satire, but it’s the legal and political reality we’re living in.

In the Netherlands, the environmental group Milieudefensie is suing ING, the country’s largest bank, for its role in financing fossil fuels. They’re arguing that ING’s climate policy doesn’t go far enough—and under Dutch law, that argument might hold. This comes on the heels of a landmark case that forced Shell to slash its emissions. Over in France, NGOs and local governments are taking TotalEnergies to court over alleged human rights and climate violations. In Europe, inaction is not just unethical—it’s potentially unlawful.

Meanwhile in the U.S., the script has flipped. Climate action itself is under attack.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused BlackRock and other asset managers of betraying their fiduciary duty—not by losing money, but by daring to invest in climate instead of doubling down on coal. And in the federal regulatory sphere, the Securities and Exchange Commission—after introducing a long-awaited rule that would require large companies to report their carbon emissions—paused its defense in court. The reason? Lawsuits claiming the rule was arbitrary, capricious, and violated companies’ First Amendment right.

So let’s be clear: while countries in Europe are asking, “Are you doing enough?” Parts of America are shouting, “How dare you try?”

This isn’t just a difference in legal frameworks. It’s a difference in cultural priorities. Europe is beginning to treat climate inaction as negligence. In the U.S., powerful interests are treating climate responsibility as a political liability—or worse, a threat.

But here’s what I want to say to every advocate, artist, policymaker, and climate optimist who feels deflated by this news:

Don’t mistake backlash for defeat. Backlash is a signal that progress is real—and powerful enough to get under the skin of the people who benefit from the status quo.

We persist anyway.

We persist by telling stories that make the stakes real—stories that cut through the noise and remind people that climate action isn’t abstract. It’s about the air your kid breathe, the water your community drinks, and the jobs that could power your town.

We persist by forming coalitions that cross party lines and job titles—activists, scientists, artists, investors, clergy, farmers. This isn’t a niche issue. It’s a humanity issue.

And we persist by refusing to let fear win. The legal attacks are designed to intimidate, to isolate, to slow us down. But the climate movement won’t ever stop because it’s not built on permission. It’s built on purpose.

Some U.S. companies and advocacy groups are pushing back. In Texas, the American Sustainable Business Network is suing Attorney General Ken Paxton and Comptroller Glenn Hegar over Senate Bill 13—a law that bars state entities from investing in or contracting with companies based on their perceived stance on fossil fuels. According to the Wall Street Journal, ASBN argues the law violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments, effectively punishing businesses for their beliefs and restricting investors from choosing where to direct their capital—including toward renewable energy. In other words, it’s not just climate science on trial anymore—it’s the freedom to act on it.

Call to Action: How You Can Persist

✅ Share this post with someone who’s tired but still hopeful. We all know someone feeling discouraged by the headlines. Pass this along as a reminder: the backlash is real because the movement is working. Progress sparks resistance. Share on Instagram, LinkedIn, or in your group chat—wherever you’re in community.

📣 Speak up where you are—at work, in school, in church, online. Bring climate into the spaces that don’t usually talk about it. Ask your employer if your retirement plan includes fossil fuel investments. Encourage your faith community to support local climate justice organizations. Use your social media not just to vent—but to mobilize. You don’t need a big platform. Just a loud purpose.

🗳️ Vote climate in every election—local, state, and national. Know where your elected officials stand on environmental issues—not just the President, but your city council, your public utility board, your state legislature. Use resources like VoteClimatePAC.org or the League of Conservation Voters scorecard. Support candidates who see climate justice as essential, not optional.

💡 Ask better questions—and follow the money. What does your bank invest in? What does your 401(k) fund? Are your favorite brands publicly supporting fossil fuel expansion or quietly funding climate solutions? If you can, move your money to climate-conscious institutions like Amalgamated Bank or Aspiration. If you work in finance, tech, fashion, or media—ask your leadership how climate factors into their operations. Don’t wait for permission to lead from wherever you are.

💥 Support those on the frontlines. Donate to or partner with grassroots climate justice orgs like Indigenous Environmental Network, Uprose, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, or local groups in your region. They’re doing the hard, unglamorous work of policy change, legal battles, and community resilience, often with very little funding.

And remember, if this much pressure is showing up, it means the momentum is real and worth protecting.