Arnold Schwarzenegger Urges Environmentalists to Stop Complaining and Take Action Amid Trump Discontent
Arnold Schwarzenegger urges climate advocates to focus on local action and perseverance amid U.S. policy shifts.
Former California Governor and movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger delivered a blunt message to environmental advocates in the wake of the recent shift in U.S. climate policy, urging them to move past despair and focus on action at the local level. Speaking in Vienna at the Austrian World Summit—a conference he helps to organize—Schwarzenegger addressed mounting concern among climate activists following sweeping rollbacks of environmental regulations by the new United States administration.
The administration has reversed numerous Biden-era initiatives, withdrawn funding for clean energy projects, and shifted support toward expanded oil and gas production. This pivot, touted as an “American energy dominance” agenda, has left many environmentalists questioning the future of U.S. climate leadership. According to Schwarzenegger, however, giving up is not an option. “Stop whining and get to work,” he told attendees, emphasizing that meaningful change is still possible even when federal policies appear hostile to environmental causes.
Drawing on his own legacy as California’s governor, Schwarzenegger pointed out the power of local and regional leadership in cutting pollution and driving climate solutions. “Be the mayor that makes buses electric; be the CEO who ends fossil fuel dependence; be the school that puts up solar roofs,” he said, citing these examples as practical ways to effect change regardless of national policies. He argued that as much as 70% of pollution can be addressed at local or state levels, underscoring the crucial role of grassroots efforts.
Addressing feelings of frustration among climate advocates, Schwarzenegger dismissed defeatism and reminded the audience that real progress often depends on persistence and tangible action. “You can’t just sit around and make excuses because one guy in a very nice White House on Pennsylvania Avenue doesn’t agree with you,” he remarked, making it clear that he believes the focus should remain on results rather than rhetoric.
Schwarzenegger also distanced himself from personal attacks on the current president, stating that it is “not my style” to criticize U.S. leaders while abroad. Instead, he called for a positive, proactive approach, saying, “I know that the people are sick and tired of the whining and the complaining and the doom and gloom.” He concluded by urging advocates to win public support by delivering solutions that improve daily life, reinforcing his belief that visible, local successes are key to building wider momentum for environmental progress.
