The development of climate institutions in the United States

Climate change poses an existential threat to our planet – but does it require wholesale reorganization of political institutions? As diverse contributions this special issue describe, countries have restructured government agencies or developed new institutions oversee climate reforms. Yet, few such transformations occurred in the United States, one world’s most important cases. Instead, US emerged when mandates and policymaking routines were layered onto existing institutions. This has had cumulative effect creating substantial capacity absence institutional innovation. When proponents controlled presidency, they mobilized center throughout executive branch. By contrast, opponents quickly dismantled policy after gaining power. The result been unstable variety governance States.