On Tuesday, November 5th, the polls closed, and Donald J. Trump emerged victorious, becoming the 47th U.S president. While the results provoked admiration and approval for some, it also sent waves of shock, skepticism, and fear for others. Trump’s election sparked several questions, controversies, and debates, with one of the most pressing issues being climate change. His presidency will determine the U.S’ sustainability efforts, future regulations, and global climate strategies. What are Trump’s initiatives for the environment and will he take us in the right direction? How will they differ from his predecessors, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ plans for the United States?
During Biden’s presidency from 2020-2024, three key achievements highlighted the Biden administration’s stance on climate change: the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the CHIPS and Science Act. Had Harris won this election, she would most likely focus on protecting the environment by reinforcing and extending these initiatives and the majority of the Biden administration’s plan. For example, some speculate that she could have possibly pursued an “IRA 2.0”, broadening tax incentives and funding for climate change programs. Harris would have also focused internationally, creating global agreements with major countries, such as China and India.
On the other hand, with Trump now in office, we can expect quite a different plan for the United States. His plans to focus on domestic production energy and for the U.S. to be less dependent on foreign sources have sparked controversy among environmentalists. Many argue that it will have damaging effects on the planet and may slow the progress on climate change. He encourages domestic fossil fuel production by expanding drilling and easing regulations on fracking. As a result, the U.S. may become an even more dominant global energy producer. Trump associates energy policies with economic development and desires to maintain more secure energy sources to avoid inflation and create more U.S jobs; however, the long-term environmental consequences remain an important debate.
In summary, with Trump as the 47th president, the challenge during his term will be balancing economic growth and sustainable practices against climate change. As citizens, we should continue advocating for our beliefs and encourage the government to do what is best for the environment and the nation.
Sources
https://www.mintz.com/insights-center/viewpoints/2151/2024-08-02-_024-pre-election-analysis-energy-and-sustainability
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