Trump victory is a major setback for climate action, experts say

Donald Trump has won the presidency again, and many experts are saying that this will be a big setback for efforts to combat climate change. They believe that in the short term, his victory will create significant obstacles to progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and securing funding for developing countries. As world leaders prepare to meet next week for the latest United Nations climate talks, Trump's win will be viewed as a major roadblock to achieving these goals. Trump is known for being skeptical about climate change and has previously referred to initiatives aimed at promoting green energy as a 'scam. ' However, with renewable energy sources like wind and solar gaining popularity and support among the American public, his plans to increase oil and gas production may not be as effective as he hopes. The recent hurricanes that have struck the United States have been linked to climate change, highlighting the urgency of the issue. During his previous term, Trump announced that the US would withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, which was a landmark accord that brought together nearly all nations to commit to reducing emissions. The shock of his decision was somewhat muted because the rules of the agreement meant that the US could not officially exit until November 2020, just a few months before he left office. If Trump decides to withdraw again, he could do so relatively quickly, allowing him to pursue his own agenda without having to adhere to the UN's regulations. While President Joe Biden's representatives will be present at the upcoming COP talks, any agreements made will not be binding for the Trump administration. Professor Richard Klein, a climate change policy expert, stated, 'The US at this COP is not just a lame duck, it's a dead duck. ' This means that the US cannot commit to any agreements, which may discourage other countries, such as China, from making commitments as well. In recent years, wealthier nations like the US, UK, and EU have sought to increase financial support for developing countries to help them address climate change. However, they have also insisted that major developing economies contribute to these efforts. Professor Klein noted that the US had hoped to pressure China into contributing to this fund, but now that will not be possible, leaving China in a more favorable position. Climate scientists emphasize that developing countries require billions of dollars in additional investment to achieve net-zero emissions and mitigate the impacts of rising temperatures. Trump is expected to expand oil and gas drilling in Alaska, and while the US may exit the Paris Agreement quickly, he will still be bound by other international efforts to combat climate change. Some of his supporters are advocating for a complete withdrawal from these global initiatives, which could undermine collective action against climate change. There is a treaty that underpins international cooperation on climate change, ratified by the US Senate in 1992. Legal experts are uncertain about the process of withdrawing from this treaty, but any attempt to do so would be seen as a significant blow to the principle of multilateral action in addressing this critical global challenge. In addition to these high-profile international actions, the new Trump administration is likely to push for increased oil and gas exploration within the US, roll back environmental protections, and impose heavy tariffs on electric vehicles and solar panels imported from China. Dan Eberhart, the CEO of an oilfield services company, remarked, 'You are looking at, overall, a 'drill baby drill' philosophy. ' This suggests that there will be a surge in offshore lease sales, expedited pipeline projects, and increased fracking on federal lands, all aimed at lowering energy costs for consumers. There has been growing concern that US offshore wind farms could be canceled under a Trump presidency. However, it remains uncertain whether he will completely reverse the progress made in renewable energy or hinder the growth of sustainable energy sources. He will face opposition, particularly from within his own party. Biden's plan, which could channel up to $1 trillion into green energy initiatives, has proven beneficial for Republican districts. According to one analysis, investment in clean technology is projected to outpace that in coal, oil, and gas by a significant margin. This may lead the new US administration to reconsider driving green investment to other countries that are more eager to embrace it. Climate leaders are placing their hopes on the idea that the transition to green energy will not be derailed by the new Trump administration. Christiana Figueres, the former UN climate chief, stated, 'The result from this election will be seen as a major blow to global climate action. ' However, she believes that the ongoing changes to decarbonize the economy and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement will continue despite the challenges posed by Trump's presidency.