Climate Crisis and Administrative Action: What to Expect Under Another Trump Presidency

As the Earth shoots toward its hottest year on record, following the warmest in the past 125,000 years, the urgency to address climate change has never been greater. The current strategy to combat climate change involves a dual approach: reducing fossil fuel use and increasing reliance on renewable energy. Significant strides have been made in renewable energy innovation, with solar farms, wind turbines, and other alternative energy sources gaining popularity. Yet, the escalating climate crisis—manifested through disaster after disaster—is projected to worsen, particularly if political leaders refuse to acknowledge the dire situation. 

The prospect of the United States emerging as a global leader in addressing climate change seems bleak under the potential continuation of Donald Trump’s presidency. Trump has repeatedly dismissed the climate crisis, labeling it as mere “weather” and deriding climate scientists and activists as “lunatics” and “fools.” While such statements may seem harmless coming from a misinformed individual, they become deeply concerning when espoused by a powerful politician capable of enshrining these misconceptions into lasting policies. 

According to Bill McKibben, a renowned author and climate journalist, Trump’s return to office poses significant environmental threats. McKibben’s findings align with analyses from Carbon Brief, a UK-based organization reporting on the climate crisis. Their calculations reveal that another four years under Trump could lead to an additional 4 billion tonnes of U.S. emissions by 2030 compared to the trajectory under President Biden. 

One alarming aspect of Trump’s agenda is Project 2025, which outlines plans to undermine renewable energy initiatives. Key components include: 

• Halting Electric Vehicle Production: This move would stifle advancements in cleaner transportation, a critical sector for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

• Reversing EPA Findings on CO2: By dismissing the Environmental Protection Agency’s determination that carbon dioxide causes harm, the administration could weaken regulations designed to combat emissions. 

• Shuttering the NOAA: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plays a vital role in climate monitoring, weather prediction, and ocean research. Closing it would severely hinder scientific understanding and disaster preparedness. 

Additionally, the Trump administration is expected to bolster the natural gas industry by appointing loyalists to disrupt renewable energy projects. This strategy includes: 

• Reduction of Renewable Energy: Obstructing permits for solar panel and wind farm installations and resuming liquefied natural gas exports, which undercut the economic viability of renewables.  

• Paris Agreement: Trump has also voiced plans to withdraw from the Paris Agreement once again, a decision that could undermine global climate cooperation. 

                    
 

The timing of these actions compounds their damage. As the climate clock ticks closer to irreversible thresholds, inaction by the world’s largest historical emitter of greenhouse gases sets a dangerous precedent. McKibben underscores this point, stating, “If the biggest historical emitter of greenhouse gases is not going to play a role, why should anyone else feel any pressure?” This sentiment highlights the far-reaching implications of the results from the 2024 election for global climate efforts. 

While these predictions are deeply concerning, they are not inevitable. Dramatic political action is needed to protect renewable energy initiatives and institutions committed to addressing the climate crisis.