As President-Elect Donald J. Trump prepares to take office on Jan. 20th for his second presidential term, he carries a drastically different plan for taking on the global climate crisis compared to the current President Joseph R Biden.
Biden took climate change very seriously during his presidential term, recognizing the immense danger it poses to society, “And that’s what climate change is about. It is literally, not figuratively, a clear and present danger,” said Biden in a press conference in July of 2022.
Biden took efforts to reduce America’s environmental impact by establishing bills such as the numerous clean energy bills that incentivized Americans to invest in clean energy including solar panels. He also initiated a $391 billion investment towards reducing global emissions in the Inflation Reduction Act.
During Biden’s presidency, the United States was able to reduce net global emissions by an average of 2%. While this is not an immense change, it still outshines the rest of the world’s global emissions increase of 1.1% in 2023.
As Trump takes office, his plan to take on the climate crisis is more of an assault on climate action. Trump plans on targeting restrictions on oil and natural gas drilling to produce more fossil fuels and generate cheap electricity. According to Trump, “If you make doughnuts, if you make cars — whatever you make, energy is a big deal, and we’re going to get that — it’s my ambition to get your energy bill within 12 months down 50 percent.”
While Trump’s plan to reduce energy costs by 50%, oil analysis experts share that this idea is ludicrously difficult and most likely impossible.
Additionally, Trump plans to cut back on vehicle emission regulations while also eliminating the incentive for the US market to move towards electric vehicles, stating he wants to remove Biden’s “Green new scam.” Trump also plans to dismantle and cut funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
As Trump prepares to enact these policies within the first 100 days of his presidency, students are concerned of what his policies will do for the future of the environment, “Trump’s plan for environmental policy drawbacks are a threat to the planet as a whole. He plans to remove the US from the Paris Agreement and dismantle the EPA’s discretionary power,” shared senior Ayah Alsheikha, president of the environmental club.
Trump also does not believe in climate change. He has stated numerous times that climate activists are “global warming hoaxsters.” In a rally in Milwaukee, Trump shared misinformation with his supporters about sea levels rising and said “Who the hell cares” in response to climate activists’ concerns.
“Trump’s beliefs toward the environment are not founded on actual principles-he acts in opposition to democrats and denies science in favor of his own whims, but it’s a detriment to everyone in the world,” added Alsheikha.
As Trump prepares to take action towards Biden’s green energy policies, students are worried about what his presidency will hold for the future, “I am nervous about what Trump plans on doing for the environment. He doesn’t take environmental action seriously nor does the rest of America. I certainly believe the next four years will be very interesting for global warming,” shared senior Rory Meeduri.
While climate experts are warning of disaster during Trump’s second presidency, some do not share the same outlook. “I understand that Trump’s policies are not ideal for climate change, however, I believe that things will not be as bad as people are stating. It’s only four years and he can’t do that much damage,” shared Angelo Massetti, senior at Hononegah Community High School.
As Trump plans to establish radical initiatives that will demolish past climate activists actions, the world will have to prepare for the possibility of accelerated global warming. The future for high school students remains unprecedented as climate change continues to prove a relentless threat to the future of the United States.
