As record-breaking heat waves grip the globe, including a significant "heat dome" across the United States, environmental advocates are urging full funding for federal disaster relief and response programs. The Sierra Club highlighted extreme heat as one of the nation's most dangerous weather hazards, emphasizing the critical need for agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Weather Service, which they say have faced repeated attempts by the Trump administration to cut their budgets.
In related energy concerns, the surge in artificial intelligence is driving a massive boom in data centers, which demand enormous amounts of electricity and resources. Decisions by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission this summer will determine whether Big Tech or American households bear the cost of the necessary electricity and grid upgrades. The Sierra Club is advocating for policies that protect households from higher energy bills.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is reportedly seeking to fast-track oil and gas permitting in the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska, a move that could open up other public lands to drilling. This comes shortly after a victory for environmentalists, who successfully defended the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument in Utah against legislative attempts to weaken its protections, following widespread public action.
Further underscoring environmental battles, the Sierra Club is hosting a virtual film series, "Vs. Goliath," featuring stories of everyday Americans fighting the fossil fuel industry. The first episode on July 7 will highlight Sharon Lavigne's battle against a large plastic plant in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley." The organization continues to call for urgent support to defend wild places and natural resources against rising threats.