Climate Change and the Fight for Justice
Every day, we hear alarming news about our planet warming up. Sometimes, it feels overwhelming. But there are also reasons for hope on the global front. Today, let’s dive into both the troubling developments and the encouraging signs in the climate fight.
Recently, under President Trump, we saw significant changes that might worsen climate change. He declared an “energy emergency”, which allows him to push forward oil and gas projects without the usual checks. His administration has also attempted to roll back rules meant to reduce pollution, often bypassing established legal processes. These actions threaten public health and the environment, crucial issues that were once the core of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) mission.
Recently appointed EPA head Lee Zeldin stated that the agency’s new focus is on lowering costs for cars and heating rather than protecting our air and water. This is a big shift from the EPA’s original goal, established in 1970 by Richard Nixon, to protect public health and the environment.
Moreover, Zeldin is questioning decades of research that shows carbon emissions are a threat. He’s looking to cut the EPA’s power to regulate greenhouse gases. The agency has even canceled $20 billion in grants for clean energy projects, leaving many nonprofit groups in legal battles to reclaim their funding.
Despite these setbacks, there are some financial incentives still in place, like tax credits for electric vehicles. However, their future is unclear as policies continue to evolve.
Hope Remains on Global Stage
On the international front, there are some promising developments. A recent UN biodiversity conference reached a landmark agreement to finance global conservation efforts, despite the U.S. being absent. This agreement serves as a reminder that countries can still unite for a common cause, even when political climates shift.
In the UK, greenhouse gas emissions have dropped to their lowest levels since 1872, thanks in part to the reduction in coal usage. The UK now produces 54% less carbon emissions compared to 1990 while growing its economy by 84%. This shows that we can reduce emissions without sacrificing economic growth. The Climate Change Committee reports that achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is becoming more affordable, with significant drops in renewable energy costs.
The Global South is also leading the charge in renewable energy. A recent report reveals that solar and wind energy installations are growing much faster there, with average annual growth rates of 23% compared to 11% in the Global North. In many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, solar energy now represents a far larger share of electricity generation than in the U.S. With declining costs for solar panels, this trend is expected to continue, though support is still needed in lower-income nations to improve their energy capacity.
As the climate crisis intensifies, the need for collective action is more crucial than ever. People worldwide are stepping up to combat climate change. It’s an ongoing fight, and every effort counts.
Russ Vernon-Jones, former principal of Fort River School, is actively involved in climate advocacy and blogs about justice and climate issues at www.russvernonjones.org.
Check out this related article: Climate Priority 2025: Key Focus Areas for a Sustainable Future in 2024
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