As Donald Trump prepares to take office, his climate agenda threatens environmental protections, risking severe consequences for Black communities in pollution-heavy areas.
Adam Mahoney reports for Capital B.
In short:
- Trump’s policies aim to dismantle Biden-era climate programs like the Justice40 initiative, which prioritized underserved communities for climate investments.
- Proposed rollbacks include weakened pollution regulations, expanded fossil fuel infrastructure and cuts to renewable energy incentives, disproportionately affecting Black communities.
- Key appointees with fossil fuel ties, like Doug Burgum and Chris Wright, are poised to prioritize oil and gas interests over public health and climate action.
Key quote:
“With the election of Donald Trump, we know environmental justice policies and hard-fought wins brought about by our movements over decades are on the chopping block.”
— KD Chavez, executive director, Climate Justice Alliance
Why this matters:
Black communities, often located near industrial facilities, bear a heavy environmental burden. Scaling back protections may worsen pollution, health disparities and climate vulnerability in these areas, leaving them with fewer tools to address these challenges.
Related: Donald Trump wins US presidency. What that could mean for the environment.
