Understanding the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Approach: Unpacking the Current U.S. Climate Policy

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President Donald Trump recently withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, which aimed to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This decision follows a trend of dismissing climate change by his administration.

In a surprising move, the administration has also stopped U.S. scientists from taking part in critical United Nations climate assessments. This ban affects researchers from the U.S. Global Change Research Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), who have contributed to the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

As a result, American scientists will miss the upcoming IPCC meeting in Hangzhou, China, where a new global climate assessment is to be discussed. It’s unclear how the White House thinks restricting scientific input will be beneficial, especially since it aligns with other actions aimed at reversing federal climate policies. These actions include cutting federal funding for clean energy projects and removing tax credits for electric vehicles.

The reality of climate change is serious. The Global Change Research Program has warned that without significant reductions in emissions, we face severe risks like rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Their recent assessment emphasizes that each degree of warming increases both damage and economic losses.

It seems the new U.S. approach toward climate issues can be summed up as “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

The Big Read

Meet The Billionaire CEO Trying To Resurrect The Woolly Mammoth

Serial entrepreneur Ben Lamm and Harvard geneticist George Church founded Colossal Biosciences in 2021, aiming to bring back the woolly mammoth. Their project merges innovation with environmental concerns, potentially impacting climate change and healthcare.

Recently, Colossal raised $200 million, bringing its value to $10.2 billion. Lamm is now a billionaire with an estimated worth of $3.7 billion. Church, who has been working on this concept for years, has chosen not to take an equity stake in the company.

“If I had a billion dollars, I would just spend it on this,” Church remarked, signaling the project’s enthusiasm and potential.

Hot Topic

Daniela Fernandez, founder and CEO of Sustainable Ocean Alliance, on promoting the “blue” economy

Fernandez’s organization works to enhance the health of oceans and supports startups with innovative solutions. She defines the blue economy broadly, including sectors like shipping, seafood, waste management, and even fashion. Despite being critical to global sustainability, the ocean remains largely underfunded compared to other areas addressed by the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

Restoration of ocean health is vital for maintaining the balance of carbon in the atmosphere. Fernandez believes that market demands are shifting towards sustainable practices, driven by consumer awareness. Although policy changes may seem to push against this trend, many companies are still looking for global solutions and opportunities.

Fernandez sees a bright future, intending to drive private investment into sustainable ocean initiatives. She regards the blue economy as ripe for investment, emphasizing its potential for innovation and sustainability.

What Else We’re Reading

The proposed high-speed rail project in California faces funding uncertainties due to budget reviews initiated by the Transportation Department. Concerns about escalating costs have arisen since the project started in 2008.

In a rare collaboration, U.S. oil and biofuel industries are pushing the Trump administration to increase the volumes of renewable fuels required in the national fuel mix for future years.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has lifted a freeze on climate funds previously blocked by the Trump administration.

New studies suggest that large reserves of clean hydrogen fuel could be located under mountain ranges, which may significantly aid climate change efforts.

A retrospective on Al Gore’s climate predictions reveals whether his warnings in “An Inconvenient Truth” have held true over time.

Lastly, environmental groups are taking legal action against the administration’s plans for offshore oil drilling along U.S. coastlines, marking the beginning of a legal battle over increased fossil fuel production.

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