Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president signals a rollback in climate policy, creating potential roadblocks for international efforts to limit global warming and shifting momentum toward rival energy producers like China.
Somini Sengupta reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- Trump’s likely withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and rollback of environmental regulations would weaken U.S. influence in global climate negotiations.
- Increased oil and gas production under Trump would heighten emissions, potentially inspiring similar actions in other oil-dependent nations.
- U.S. isolation on climate action may drive other countries, particularly China, to dominate in clean-energy technology and trade.
Key quote:
“It is a moment that calls on us all to exercise our moral duty to protect the planet and millions of vulnerable people from the consequences of pompous climate denial.”
— Mohamed Adow, director of Power Shift Africa
Why this matters:
The U.S., as a major greenhouse gas emitter, plays a critical role in shaping climate policies worldwide. A shift away from climate action could encourage other countries to deprioritize environmental protections, intensifying global warming impacts and delaying the energy transition to renewables.
Read more: Trump’s potential return weighs on global climate discussions
