On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump started his second term as President of the United States. Given his past views on climate change and environmental policy, what can we expect in the next four years?
During his first term from 2016 to 2020, Trump rolled back over 100 environmental regulations. Here are some key issues he tackled:
Killing the Clean Power Plan
The Clean Power Plan was designed to cut down carbon emissions from power plants. In 2019, Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced a weaker replacement called the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule. This change never fully went into effect because a court struck it down in 2021 when Biden took office. The ACE rule delayed crucial regulations on carbon emissions, slowing progress in combating climate change.
Weakening the Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is vital for protecting species in danger of extinction in the U.S. In 2019, the Trump administration made significant cuts to the act’s effectiveness:
- Vulnerable species lost automatic protections, requiring lengthy reviews to determine their status.
- Changes to the definition of “foreseeable future” could let officials ignore climate change impacts on species.
- Economic impacts began to be considered in species protection decisions, undermining scientific review processes.
Reducing Oversight under NEPA
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) demands that federal projects consider their environmental impact. Trump made changes that allowed many projects with minimal federal involvement to bypass NEPA reviews. This could lead to environmental harm without enough public oversight, especially for low-income communities lacking resources to participate in the review process.
With the weak standards set by Trump’s changes, communities could lose protections against harmful projects that impact air and water quality.
What to Expect in Trump’s Second Term
With Trump back in office, it’s clear he plans to reinstate many of the policies from his first term. On his first day, he signed an executive order to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, a move he promoted during his campaign. He also halted all federal projects for offshore wind farms.
‘Drill, Baby Drill’
One of Trump’s key promises is to ramp up drilling for oil and gas. He declared a “national energy emergency” and reopened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas exploration, reversing Biden’s ban on offshore drilling in extensive coastal areas. His administration will likely push for renewing projects like the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, which face legal challenges. Though touted as ‘cleaner’ than other fossil fuels, liquefied natural gas (LNG) has significant climate impacts.
Threats to Federal Agencies
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plays an essential role in weather forecasting and climate research. The Trump-aligned Project 2025 suggests breaking up NOAA, which could threaten quality and access to vital weather data and climate research. There are concerns that this could hinder efforts to protect marine species and decrease oversight in fishing practices.
This proposed overhaul could put millions at risk if critical storm warnings become pay-for-access, especially affecting low-income communities.
Restoration of Environmental Protections
Faced with the challenges of Trump’s environmental rollback, numerous U.S. organizations dedicated to conservation and climate advocacy are stepping up. Following his latest election victory, groups like Earthjustice and the Natural Resources Defense Council are preparing to defend vital resources and fight against detrimental policies.
As the landscape of environmental policy shifts, grassroots movements and litigation are likely to play a crucial role in holding the Trump administration accountable for its environmental decisions.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
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