CNET: For Progress on Climate and Energy in 2025, Think Local

With its sprawling canopy of magnolia, dogwood, southern pine and oak trees, Atlanta is known as the city in the forest. The lush vegetation helps offset the pollution from the commuter traffic as people pour in and out of the state capital every day, so that city dwellers can breathe fresh, clean air.

"When you fly into the city of Atlanta, most people are like, what is this? I can't even see the city because I see trees," Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens tells me.

The mayor's office has been buying up land, laying out trails and protecting the green terrain from development. It's just one small part of the city's ambitious climate plan that ranges from prioritizing the electrification of vehicles to building out rooftop solar, in the name of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.

Those emissions are directly responsible for the global heating of our planet, which is causing changing climate patterns and more frequent, unpredictable extreme weather events. Cutting those emissions will help us avoid many of the worst impacts on our health, homes, safety and livelihoods. There are some steps we can take in our own homes and lives, such as installing heat pumps and properly recycling our waste, but to make a difference on the scale needed it's the job of businesses and governments everywhere to reduce emissions, with our nation's leaders at the helm.

Dickens, who drives a Rivian EV, is far from the only American mayor committed to a green future for his city. In fact, he belongs to a bipartisan network of 350 "Climate Mayors" across the country, representing 46 states and 60 million American citizens.