“Trump has determined to be a “dictator” of climate destruction from day one. Indeed, in a Presidential campaign heavily funded by fossil fuel money, it’s no surprise that they are expecting a return on their investment.”
By Sam Mason
Donald Trump returns to the Whitehouse as we enter another pivotal year for action on climate change, and the ‘make or break’ UNFCC COP “people’s climate summit” in Belem, Brazil in November. Trump no longer talks of climate change being a hoax but as a “scam”, reinforcing a growing right-wing narrative of climate policies being an economic failure putting an unfair burden on the poor.
During his previous term in office, Trump immediately withdrew the US from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, and he has indicated he will do so again, along with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). By the end of his first term in January 2021, a New York Times analysis identified the Trump administration of having “rolled back more than 100 environmental rules” covering clean air, water, wildlife and toxic chemicals, and dismantled major climate policies. Many relating to oil and gas drilling.
While Biden sought to reverse these, and introduced initiatives such as the Inflation Reduction Act as a “commitment to build a new clean energy economy”, Trump has determined to be a “dictator” of climate destruction from day one. Indeed, in a Presidential campaign heavily funded by fossil fuel money, it’s no surprise that they are expecting a return on their investment.
Trump’s mantra of “drill, baby, drill” has been well headlined. His choice of cabinet appointments in key climate and environmental positions form a triumvirate of key allies in achieving these objectives.
Chris Wright, a CEO of an oil and gas fracking company has been chosen as energy secretary. At his Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee confirmation hearing, he set out clearly his intentions to expand the production of fossil fuels and nuclear power to restore energy dominance at home and abroad. He will also be part of a new Council of National Energy (CNE). He has previously rejected the links between climate change and wildfires.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, appointed as secretary of the Department of the Interior, will lead the CNE and be a key link in driving forward oil, gas and coal production on public lands such as the Artic National Wildlife Refuge.
Over at the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin has been selected to lead in slashing regulation in support of oil and gas development. Zeldin is expected to push through the roll back on electric vehicles and overturn regulation on pollution from power plants among other regressive measures.
On renewable energy, Trump has stated he is going to have a policy of no new windmills being built. He has also taken time to take a swipe at the Labour Government’s energy policy saying they should get rid of the “windmills” and open up the North Sea for more oil and gas drilling.
The significance of the Trump administration’s position on climate change is significant for the world for several reasons. Firstly, compared to his first term of office, climate catastrophe has got worse. The wildfires in Los Angeles are still raging while the World Meteorological Office confirmed 2024 as the warmest year on record and the first to breach the Paris Accord figure of a “global mean temperature of more than 1.5°C” degrees of warming. Despite the weakness of the international climate summits, withdrawal will add to any attempt to reach global agreements.
Last year, Carbon Brief estimated, and it’s thought to be an underestimate, that a Trump Presidency will add 4 billion tons of US emissions, equivalent to the EU and Japan or 140 low emitting countries. Financially, they calculate this will equate to $900bn in global climate damages. This at a time when harnessing the climate finance for impacted countries in term of loss and damage and adaptation are already severely lacking.
The other important impact is it will embolden the right’s attack on climate change policies everywhere, and a danger that others will pander to the whims of Trump. When linked to the drive towards a war economy across Europe, including in the UK, this also threatens to further derail essential investments in climate and environmental policy.
But while there is much to fear, not just on climate policy, from the new Trump administration, it’s important to recognise that across the border in Mexico, the overwhelmingly new popular leader Claudia Sheinbaum, is forging a different path. With a background in climate science, she has put in place a National Agreement for the Human Right to Water and Sustainability. Her predecessor already nationalised lithium in Mexico which will contribute to her policy of developing low cost electric vehicles. She has also committed to 45% of renewable energy production and putting limits on oil production.
Within the US, groups are already organising to prepare to fight the coming climate destructive policies, and to defend gains made. The Labor Network for Sustainability for example is advocating for a “Constructive Program” for Social Self-Defense Against MAGA Tyranny. Union initiatives like Climate Jobs New York and the New York based global initiative Trade Unions for Energy Democracy will no doubt continue to drive progressive policy around renewable energy public pathways.
These, the climate activists that will stand up to these challenges, and those notably in the global south on the front lines of climate destruction, all need our support and solidarity. We have nothing to lose but a liveable planet and must organise, baby, organise for the fight of our lives.
- Join the protest against Trump inauguration next Monday, 20th January, assembling at 5pm on Whitehall across from Downing Street, London.
- Sam Mason is a climate activist and regular Labour Outlook commentator.
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