President Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office has been accompanied by swift and sweeping attempts to undo climate policy, a sharp reversal of progress after the previous administration seized the moment. These actions risk reducing fossil fuel emissions, even as the planet grapples with the consequences of surpassing critical warming thresholds.
Undoing the Climate Momentum
During Trump’s first term, climate issues were sidelined, and the president rolled back more than 125 environmental rules and policies. As the Biden Administration worked to restore U.S. leadership on climate, the current administration now stands prepared to dismantle much of that progress, potentially setting back efforts to combat climate change.
The “Climate Backtracker”
At Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, the “Climate Backtracker” database has documented more than 45 efforts to scale back or eliminate federal climate mitigation and adaptation policies since the administration was sworn in. These efforts include everything from expanding fossil fuel production to pulling the U.S. out of international climate agreements
Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement
On his first day in office, President Trump took steps to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, a global pact to limit long-term global warming. This move weakened the U.S.’s position in international climate negotiations, earning criticism from world leaders.
Concerns From the UN
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, likened a potential U.S. withdrawal to losing a vital organ, saying the importance of the U.S.’s commitment to the agreement for its effectiveness.
Assessing the Effectiveness of FEMA
President Trump issued an executive order directing an assessment of the ability of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This raises questions about the country’s readiness for another extreme weather event, which is becoming more frequent and severe as climate change worsens.
Increasing Oil and Gas Production
President Trump issued an executive order establishing a new “National Energy Dominance Council” to boost oil and gas output in the United States. This “drill, baby, drill” approach contradicts attempts to shift to cleaner energy sources.
Conflicting Patterns of Production
Despite the push for increased production, the Center for American Progress points out that the administration is already producing record amounts of oil and gas.
EPA Cuts and Staff Reductions
Based on data-driven analysis and a commitment to govern and deliver services effectively and efficiently, the Trump Administration issued a new action plan to eliminate federal waste through sweeping cuts to federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the new Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE). Significant staff reductions could affect the EPA’s ability to respond to crises and enforce regulations.
Banning Paper Straws
President Trump signed another executive order ending the federal government’s use of paper straws, reversing a Biden Administration initiative to phase out single-use plastics. Though largely symbolic, the step marks a departure from environmental sustainability efforts.
Putting the Brakes on Electric Vehicle Adoption
President Trump rescinded the Biden Administration’s goal to have EVs account for half of all new cars sold by 2030. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) also froze roughly $3 billion in funding that was earmarked to expand the network of electric vehicle charging stations nationwide.
Effect on Transportation Emissions
Transportation is the biggest source of emissions in the U.S., and those actions could impede efforts to decarbonize the sector and shrink the country’s carbon footprint.
Reversing Progress
These actions, which the Trump Administration is taking at what appears to be unprecedented speed, could be seen as a significant step backward in terms of climate action, potentially putting a hold on a deal on combatting one of the most pressing threats in our history: global warming.
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