With a potential second term on the horizon, former President Donald Trump has once again vowed to prioritize economic growth over environmental concerns, leaving climate experts concerned about the future of U.S. climate policy. Trump’s previous administration took a deregulatory approach to environmental protections, promoted fossil fuels, and pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement. If re-elected, experts fear this trend will continue, setting back climate progress and potentially worsening the impacts of climate change.
During his first term, Trump’s policies focused on bolstering oil and gas production, reducing regulations on the fossil fuel industry, and downplaying the seriousness of global warming. He has already signaled that he intends to follow a similar path in a second term, further limiting federal efforts to combat climate change.
“We need states, cities, businesses, and organizations to step up and take the lead, just like we did in 2017,” said Gina McCarthy, former EPA Administrator under President Obama, now co-chair of America is All In, a national climate coalition. “We will not let anyone stand in the way of providing a healthier, safer future for our children and grandchildren.”
Extreme Weather Events Raise Alarm
The urgency of climate action has never been clearer. Last summer was the hottest on record, and experts warn that the U.S. is already experiencing more frequent and intense heatwaves, wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding. These extreme weather events are having devastating economic and human impacts, with thousands of deaths annually linked to extreme heat and billions of dollars in damage from natural disasters.
Under Trump’s leadership, many state governments took on the role of combating climate change. States like California and Massachusetts, as well as cities across the country, introduced ambitious climate policies to reduce emissions and promote renewable energy in the absence of federal action. The question now is whether those efforts will continue under a second Trump presidency.
“We have a responsibility to continue addressing the climate crisis,” said New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “States and local governments are ready to step in and do the work that the federal government is not.”
Trump’s Vision for Energy: More Fossil Fuels, Fewer Restrictions
Trump has made it clear that if elected again, he will prioritize fossil-fuel development over climate action. During his campaign, he promised to increase oil and gas drilling, expand coal production, and slow the transition to electric vehicles. These actions would only contribute to the growing crisis of climate change, as transportation and energy production are the largest sources of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
Trump’s first term saw the dismantling of numerous climate protections, including environmental regulations aimed at reducing emissions from power plants and cars, as well as restrictions on methane leaks from oil and gas operations. His administration also rolled back protections for public lands and weakened enforcement of air and water quality standards.
In his most recent announcement, Trump named former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), signaling his commitment to further rolling back environmental regulations. Zeldin, known for his climate-skeptical views, is expected to implement Trump’s deregulatory agenda, which could limit federal efforts to tackle climate change.
Local and State Leaders Fill the Gap
With federal leadership potentially absent under a second Trump term, state and local governments, along with nonprofit organizations, are stepping in to take action on climate change. The U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan group of 24 governors representing nearly half the U.S. population, has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing clean energy, regardless of federal policies.
Several states are already leading the way in climate action. California, for example, has adopted ambitious goals for renewable energy, and New Mexico has doubled its wind energy production since 2019. In states with less immediate concern about climate change, leaders are focusing on the economic benefits of building climate resilience, such as investing in green technologies like carbon capture and renewable energy sources.
“We know that the climate economy works, and there’s no turning back,” said Governor Lujan Grisham. “Private sector investments in clean energy are growing, and the shift toward renewable energy is already well underway.”
Nonprofits Lead the Charge
Environmental nonprofits are also playing a crucial role in addressing climate change, especially with federal leadership potentially absent. One such group, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), launched a satellite called MethaneSAT to monitor methane emissions from space. This tool will help track emissions and hold both governments and corporations accountable for their role in global warming.
“For the first time, we have a tool that can hold industry and governments accountable for their emissions,” said EDF’s Mark Brownstein. “This will allow us to ensure that policies are being implemented effectively, even if the federal government falls short.”
While some nonprofits are committed to working with the new administration to advance climate solutions, others, like EDF, are taking matters into their own hands. “If the U.S. government withdraws from its commitments to address climate change, it will be catastrophic,” said Fred Krupp, EDF’s president.
The Road Ahead: Adapting to Climate Change
While Trump’s policies are expected to roll back federal climate protections, the private sector and state governments are still finding ways to address climate change. Some states, like Wyoming, are investing in emerging technologies like carbon capture, which may help reduce the emissions from fossil-fuel industries while maintaining some economic stability in traditional energy sectors.
However, the scale of these efforts may be limited by the lack of federal support. Governor Mark Gordon of Wyoming has expressed hope that the federal government will continue to back emerging clean technologies, but he also acknowledged that the success of these efforts depends on long-term federal commitment, regardless of political shifts.
“We need to ensure that the commitment to clean energy is sustained beyond presidential election cycles,” said Governor Gordon. “We need confidence that the federal government will continue to invest in the technologies that will help us build a sustainable future.”
Moving Forward: A Shared Responsibility
In the face of uncertainty at the federal level, state and local governments, as well as the private sector, are increasingly seen as the key drivers of climate action. With climate change already affecting communities across the country, experts agree that urgent and sustained efforts are needed to mitigate the worst impacts of global warming.
“We can’t afford to wait any longer,” said Professor Leah Stokes of the University of California, Santa Barbara. “The climate crisis is here, and we need to act to protect future generations.”
Despite the challenges, there is hope that the growing momentum for climate action, fueled by state and local leaders, businesses, and environmental nonprofits, will continue to push forward. While the future of federal climate policy may be uncertain, the commitment to addressing the climate crisis remains as strong as ever.