In 2025, the U.S. saw significant shifts in climate policy under President Donald Trump. Since his second term began, he made bold moves to reverse environmental protections and pull back from global climate commitments. He has dismissed climate change, calling it a “con job.” This attitude has reshaped the U.S. role in the global climate fight.
Trump’s support for fossil fuels is evident in his administration’s actions. He quickly focused on building relationships with the fossil fuel industry. For example, he appointed a former fracking executive to lead the Energy Department, surrounding himself with people aligned with his agenda. On his first day in office, he declared a “national energy emergency,” despite record oil production in the U.S. This move allowed him to roll back numerous regulations aimed at protecting the environment, creating more opportunities for oil and gas exploration.
Trump’s administration has particularly targeted Alaska, removing restrictions on drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Moreover, he unveiled plans to access Venezuela’s oil reserves, reinforcing his “drill, baby drill” stance.
In April, he signed executive orders to revitalize the coal industry, contradicting a global trend where nearly 60 countries are pivoting away from coal due to its environmental impact. The effort included expediting leases for coal mining on federal land, despite many countries reducing their coal power plans since the Paris Agreement was introduced in 2015.
Critics note that Trump’s remarks about renewable energy are often misleading. He has called wind power ineffective and expensive, but recent data shows that renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, are now cheaper than fossil fuels for new projects. This has raised concerns among environmentalists, who argue that Trump is blocking innovation and investments in cleaner energy.
Interestingly, Trump’s rollback of regulations extends to environmental accountability. The EPA will no longer assess the health benefits of air pollution rules based on healthcare savings or lives saved. Richard Revesz from NYU critiques this decision, stating that ignoring public health benefits contradicts the EPA’s fundamental mission.
Furthermore, Trump’s administration has targeted climate research funding. In early 2025, thousands of federal employees involved in climate science were laid off, impacting vital research on climate change and conservation. This included cuts to programs that had previously provided crucial climate data and environmental monitoring tools.
On the international stage, Trump announced plans to withdraw from 66 international agreements, including crucial climate treaties. Critics warn this retreat leaves the U.S. behind as other countries accelerate their transition to clean energy. The U.S. has also pulled out of the Paris Agreement and stopped financing for climate initiatives aimed at supporting developing nations.
In addition, the administration has eliminated federal environmental justice programs, which aimed to address pollution in underserved communities. This included terminating the Justice40 program, designed to invest in areas disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change.
Animal and nature protections have also been weakened. The Trump administration is rolling back crucial elements of the Endangered Species Act and has approved more commercial fishing in protected marine areas, a move criticized for undermining marine ecosystems.
This erosion of environmental protections and research funding raises important questions about the future of U.S. climate policy and its impact on both national and global efforts to address climate change. As global momentum builds for clean energy, many wonder how the U.S. will adapt and respond.
For further insights, you can read more on the staffing and structural changes within federal environmental agencies from reputable sources like the New York Times and Earth.Org.
