In a recent Bloomberg opinion piece by Mark Gongloff and Liam Denning, the looming threat of a second Donald Trump presidency and its potential impact on the Earth’s climate was dissected. The authors drew parallels between the strengthening of the immune system after a viral exposure and the resilience of measures to combat global warming at that time, despite previous setbacks during Trump’s first term.
However, the article suggested that Trump, if re-elected, could still pose significant challenges to climate initiatives. Here’s the full story.
What Trump Did During His First Term
During his first term, Trump took actions that raised concerns among environmentalists, such as increasing oil and gas production, relaxing environmental restrictions, and withdrawing the US from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. The article highlighted reports indicating that Trump’s advisors were gearing up for an “all-out war on climate science and policies,” surpassing the actions of his first term.
The Critics
The authors accepted the criticism environmentalists had directed at President Joe Biden for certain decisions, like permitting the Willow project in Alaska and overseeing an increase in liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
However, they noted Biden’s substantial investments in green energy, including the $1 trillion infrastructure plan and $370 billion in climate funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.
The Expected Results
The potential consequences of a second Trump term on various aspects of climate action were examined, presenting an overview of the benefits and drawbacks that the climate movement might have faced. From executive directives to economic considerations, the authors delved into the intricacies of potential policy changes.
Executive Directives
The article highlighted the vulnerability of executive steps taken by Biden, such as rejoining the Paris Agreement and the mandate for federal decarbonization by 2050. These could have been swiftly reversed by Trump on his first day back in the Oval Office, raising concerns about the future of international climate commitments.
Act to Reduce Inflation
Undoing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), designed to support the shift to green energy, might have faced hurdles similar to those encountered by attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The authors shared modifying Internal Revenue Service guidelines and potential alterations to environmental priorities were in favor of protectionist measures.
Green Economics
Despite challenges, the green transformation made significant progress during Trump’s first term. The article highlighted the reduction in the share of US energy generation from fossil fuels, the decline in coal employment, and the growth of renewable energy. Economic factors, including the affordability of natural gas and renewables, were credited for this transition.
Corporate America
Figures indicating the commitment of global CEOs to increase energy efficiency and work on climate-friendly products demonstrated the strength of corporate America in the decarbonization movement. The authors noted that despite Republican opposition to environmental, social, and governance investing, many corporations maintained their net-zero emissions commitments.
Courts and Regulations
The Biden administration’s efforts to implement climate regulations were discussed, sharing the difficulty of reversing regulations compared to executive orders. The potential impact of Trump appointing justices who aligned with his views on climate policies was explored, along with the Supreme Court’s role in challenging regulatory discretion.
Climate Policies in Congress
The article introduced the vulnerability of climate policies in Congress, particularly concerning the Senate filibuster. The potential removal of this check on congressional power could have paved the way for swift legislative action, presenting a wildcard in the climate policy landscape.
Local and International Players
Highlighting the influence of local governments and international efforts, the authors shared that climate change initiatives extended beyond the White House and Congress. The commitments of states, localities, and other nations, such as China and the European Union, showed a global momentum toward sustainability.
Share Your Thoughts
So what do you think? Do you believe Trump returning to office would be better for climate policies?
