Donald Trump’s presidency has created ripples across the globe, but the impact on the United States is particularly striking. His recent executive orders have posed challenges to the American Green Movement.
Trump’s environmental policies aim to boost plastic production, withdraw from the Paris Agreement, and expand drilling projects. These decisions come as the world grapples with climate change, rising global temperatures, and extreme weather patterns.
Returning to Plastic
On February 10, Trump declared a return to plastic straws, reversing a previous federal decision to implement paper alternatives. This shift is concerning, given that the United Nations reports an annual production of 460 million metric tons of plastic. Alarmingly, about 20 million metric tons of that plastic enters the environment each year, with expectations for this to rise significantly by 2040.
Single-use plastics like bottles, straws, and shopping bags contribute heavily to this issue. The Centre for Biological Diversity warns that by 2050, plastic in the ocean could outweigh all fish. Many species, such as Hawaiian monk seals and loggerhead sea turtles, suffer greatly from plastic pollution.
Despite these alarming facts, Trump downplays the risks, suggesting that plastic use isn’t a major threat to marine life.
Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement
One of Trump’s first major actions as president was to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. This international treaty aims to limit global temperature increases to well below 2 degrees Celsius. His decision not only halts funding to developing countries for climate initiatives but also cancels previous plans established under the previous administration.
The United States has contributed nearly 22% of global carbon dioxide emissions since 1950. While Trump may prioritize economic growth, this withdrawal undermines global efforts to combat climate change, contributing to increased natural disasters like droughts and wildfires.
Despite the U.S. stepping back, other nations continue their commitment to reducing global temperatures. Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Climate Change, noted that while one country may retract, others will seize the opportunity to advance economically and environmentally.
Drill, Baby, Drill
During his inaugural address, Trump declared, “Drill, baby, drill,” emphasizing America’s vast oil and gas reserves. He’s pushed for a “national energy emergency” to promote the fossil fuel industry at a time when the world is pushing for a transition to cleaner energy sources.
January 2025 marked the warmest January on record, a trend fueled by human-caused emissions from fossil fuels. While Trump’s policies may benefit industrial supporters, the long-term consequences will affect everyone on the planet.
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