While the world races against time to combat climate change, the United States—historically one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters—finds itself at a crossroads. The Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric, which sought to reverse key climate regulations, not only jeopardized the country’s leadership on this global issue but also risked undoing decades of progress.
At the center of Trump’s climate approach was a rollback of environmental protections and an embrace of fossil fuel industries. One of his most controversial moves was withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement in 2017. This landmark accord aimed to limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with each participating nation setting its own targets. The U.S., under President Obama, had pledged to cut emissions by up to 28% below 2005 levels by 2025. However, Trump claimed the deal was economically burdensome, dismissing scientific consensus on the urgency of global warming. Withdrawal not only set back America’s emissions targets but also sent a troubling signal to other nations about the U.S.’s commitment to climate leadership.
In addition to the Paris withdrawal, Trump’s administration systematically dismantled domestic environmental regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under his leadership, repealed the Clean Power Plan, which aimed to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants. Instead, the administration promoted the Affordable Clean Energy rule—a far weaker framework that did little to address the coal sector’s carbon footprint. A 2019 Nature Climate Change study projected that without robust regulations, U.S. carbon emissions could rise significantly, exacerbating the climate crisis.
Trump also prioritized fossil fuel production, expanding oil and gas drilling, including in ecologically sensitive areas like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In 2020, despite mounting evidence of the harms of hydraulic fracturing (fracking), Trump advocated for its widespread use, claiming it would boost jobs and energy independence. However, studies from organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund show that methane leaks from oil and gas operations are 60% higher than government estimates, making natural gas a significant driver of climate change.
These policy reversals have measurable consequences. Under Trump’s leadership, U.S. emissions briefly increased in 2018 after years of steady decline. According to the Global Carbon Project, this reversal coincided with loosened environmental restrictions and increased fossil fuel use. Simultaneously, extreme weather events such as hurricanes, wildfires, and heatwaves continued to ravage communities, underscoring the real-world costs of climate inaction.
The danger of Trump’s policies lies not only in their immediate effects but also in the potential to slow innovation. Countries investing in renewable energy and sustainable technologies, like China and Germany, are poised to dominate the global clean energy market, leaving the U.S. lagging behind.
If the United States is to remain competitive and safeguard its environment, future administrations must reverse these policies. Restoring climate commitments, investing in renewable energy, and taking bold action are essential steps to ensure that America moves forward—not backward—in the fight against climate change.
