President Donald Trump’s initial executive actions target climate and environmental protections, prioritizing oil and gas production and withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.
Melina Walling reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Trump signed an order to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement, halting efforts to cut emissions and shifting global climate leadership to other nations.
- He declared a “national energy emergency,” focusing on fossil fuel expansion, bypassing the Endangered Species Act and opening Arctic areas to drilling.
- Trump moved to revoke Biden’s electric vehicle goals and stopped considering environmental justice impacts when reviewing polluting facilities.
Key quote:
“These orders will make our air dirtier, make people sicker, make energy more expensive and make our communities less prepared for extreme weather.”
— Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Urban Ocean Lab
Why this matters:
Critics warn that Trump’s policy shifts could reverse progress made in reducing emissions and protecting biodiversity. The expansion of oil and gas extraction into sensitive ecosystems threatens wildlife habitats and undermines conservation efforts. For those advocating for aggressive climate action, these developments highlight a deepening conflict between short-term economic interests and long-term environmental and public health objectives.
Related: Trump pushes coal as energy demand grows, despite its decline
