An anxious American west sizes up historic climate bill: ‘We need every tool’

While the legislation provides renewed hope, work remains to be done to ensure the funding is put to best possible use

The passage of the historic US climate legislation this weekend sparked renewed hope in environmental circles and even tears of joy in Congress. Many who have spent decades on the front lines feel that, despite its imperfections, the landmark federal funding opens up new frontiers on which to fight in a rapidly changing world.

The call to arms rings especially true in the American west, where the devastating effects of the climate crisis - from drought to wildfires to heatwaves - are already hitting home.