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Global warming is getting worse, and the damage it causes is getting worse and more costly. In this regard, what is the climate policy of one of the largest and most developed countries in the world – the USA? What will it look like in the near future? If Donald Trump becomes president, will current regulations remain in place?
Climate crisis and the Paris Agreement
Scientists who compiled the latest IPCC report warn that this is the last moment to counter global warming. In the document, they confirm that humans are mainly responsible for the increase in the Earth’s temperature. When the first report was written, this was not presented in such a firm and unarguable way. Now, however, it is an undeniable phenomenon and is confirmed in many scientific circles. The AR6 document also reports that already, with a 1.1°C increase in global temperature, the world is undergoing its biggest change in centuries. These include rising sea and ocean levels, increasingly extreme weather events or rapidly disappearing ice caps. The direct impact of the ongoing changes on society was also highlighted, citing water shortages, the spread of infectious diseases, deterioration of agricultural productivity or forced population displacement.
In order to halt ongoing global warming, the Paris Agreement was concluded in 2015, which a total of 195 countries ratified. They have pledged to meet the imposed requirement, that is, to stop the increase in average global air temperature well below 2°C from pre-industrial levels, and to make every effort not to exceed 1.5°C. For this to be possible, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced in the first place. This is a key element, as it is the one that has the greatest impact on global warming. As scientists point out, the Earth’s average air temperature higher by even a fraction of a degree can contribute to the intensification of atmospheric hazards.
Donald Trump and his response to global warming
In the United States in 2021. there has been a change in the position of the country’s president, and this has involved modifications in the country’s climate policy. An individual who contributed significantly to the decline in interest in environmental quality was Donald Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021. He has already made his position on the Paris pact clear in his first year in office: Starting today, the U.S. is completely halting the implementation of the non-binding Paris Agreement and the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country.
Experts describe Trump as a climate denialist, meaning a person who denies scientific facts. In his statements, he regularly downplays the conclusions put forward by researchers. Often his speeches contain post-truths, and the main emphasis is on the emotional aspect, rather than on substance and scientific evidence. In 2014. published his own statement online: It’s late July, and we’re really cold in New York. Where the hell is GLOBAL ENHANCEMENT? We need some acceleration! This is the current CLIMATE CHANGE..
Donald Trump’s approach to environmental policy represents ethnocentric thought. He sees any necessary changes, including the reduction of greenhouse gases, as a threat to the U.S. economy and its position in the world market. He also repeated several times that global warming was invented by the Chinese to undermine the US economy. During the four years of his tenure, key official positions were filled with climate deniers. In addition, the law ensuring access to clean drinking water was abolished, the Clean Power Plan was also repealed, and regulations on automobile emissions were liberalized. Trump’s administration has effectively limited budget opportunities for environmental institutions and organizations. At that time, fossil fuel extraction companies became the beneficiaries of significant funds.
US climate policy and projections
The United States is a significant part of global change. Thanks to their position, they can influence the economy worldwide. Disregarding international agreements does not encourage other leaders to respect their commitments. Another pressing issue is the support of a number of scientific institutions that may lose grant income by spreading conspiracy theories.
Recent years in U.S. climate policy have been more optimistic and offer hope for further green measures. The Joe Biden administration has introduced the revolutionary Inflation Reduction Act, which is dedicated to planning investments in renewable energy sources and electric vehicles. A budget of $369 million has been allocated for this initiative, spread over a 10-year period. It is expected to significantly help achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The first day of April turned out to be the hottest in the past 30 years, further underscoring the need to take action as soon as possible leading to climate improvements. For this, firm action by the US government is essential. President Biden’s decisions have given hope for further positive changes, however, the latest polls report a high probability of Trump winning the upcoming US presidential election. Will the U.S. climate policy then face another revolution? Politicizing the issue of global warming and further deviating from the Paris Agreement is very likely.
