A warning from a former UN climate leader emphasizes the potential setback in the fight against climate change if Donald Trump wins the presidency, particularly affecting U.S. climate policies and global emission reduction goals.
Fiona Harvey reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Patricia Espinosa, ex-UN climate chief, highlights the negative implications of Trump's possible re-election on global efforts to limit warming.
- Trump's administration may reverse existing climate initiatives, exit the Paris agreement, and boost fossil fuel extraction.
- Despite potential U.S. policy regressions, global unity and continued climate actions in other countries could mitigate some impacts.
Key quote:
"I worry [about the potential election of Trump] because it would have very strong consequences, if we see a regression regarding climate policies in the US."
— Patricia Espinosa, former UN climate chief
Why this matters:
During his previous presidency, Trump rolled back numerous environmental regulations, withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement, and promoted fossil fuel production. If re-elected, Trump's administration might continue to prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term environmental sustainability.
Be sure to read Brian Bienkowski’s 2016 piece: Rethinking energy and justice in the Trump era.
