This included not only withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, but also outsourcing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from Washington and reducing nature reserves to make way for oil drilling and mining, writes the New York Times.
Two former cabinet members and well-known oil and coal lobbyists are expected to help Trump: the lawyer David Bernhardt, who was Secretary of the Interior from 2019 to 2021 in Trump’s first term in office, and the lawyer Andrew Wheeler, administrator of the EPA under Trump from 2018 to 2021. The New York Times described both as “Washington insiders” who had years of experience dismantling government environmental protections.
USA among largest greenhouse gas emitters
The annual world climate conference begins on Monday, this time taking place in the Azerbaijani capital Baku. The USA is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world. During his first term in office (2017-21), Trump had already canceled the Paris climate protection agreement, which was intended to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial times. However, the USA rejoined under his successor Joe Biden.
According to the report, Trump wants to immediately redraw the boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, two protected areas in southern Utah. This will reopen thousands of hectares of land sacred to indigenous peoples to mining and other projects. Biden reversed a corresponding measure from Trump’s first term in office.
Dismantling the “Deep State.”
According to the New York Times, the possible relocation of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) goes hand in hand with Trump’s efforts to move federal administration positions from unloved Washington to places that – according to Trump – are “full of patriots who love America ” be. The newspaper was referring to a video from Trump’s election campaign dismantling the so-called “deep state”. “Deep state” is a political slogan that describes alleged invisible power structures within a state.
According to the New York Times, the post of “energy czar” in a future Trump administration could be held by Doug Burgum, a Republican governor of North Dakota who briefly threw his hat into the race in the presidential primary before dropping out Trump said he served as a liaison between Trump and the oil billionaires who supported him during the election campaign. Another possible candidate was Trump’s former energy secretary.
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**Interview with Environmental Policy Expert Dr. Emily Johnson on the Trump Administration’s Environmental Actions**
**Host:** Welcome, Dr. Johnson! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the environmental policies during the Trump administration. There’s a lot to unpack here, especially regarding withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the proposed changes to protected areas.
**Dr. Johnson:** Thank you for having me! This is indeed a significant topic, considering the long-term impacts on both the environment and public policy.
**Host:** Let’s start with the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. How would you assess the impact of this decision on global climate efforts?
**Dr. Johnson:** The decision to withdraw was a major setback for international climate diplomacy. The Paris Agreement aimed to limit global warming and involve major greenhouse gas emitters like the U.S. Without U.S. participation, it weakened the collective efforts to address climate change. The rejoining under Biden represents a return to a multilateral approach, which is crucial for tackling such a global issue.
**Host:** You mentioned the reduction of protected areas, such as the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. What were the implications of these changes?
**Dr. Johnson:** The reduction in these protected areas opened significant landscapes to mining and drilling. These regions are not only ecologically rich but also hold cultural significance for Indigenous communities. By prioritizing resource extraction, the Trump administration demonstrated a clear shift in policy focus that could lead to biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.
**Host:** The New York Times highlighted the involvement of former cabinet members like David Bernhardt and Andrew Wheeler, known for their ties to the oil and coal industries. How does their influence reflect on the administration’s environmental strategy?
**Dr. Johnson:** Their appointments signified a prioritization of corporate interests over environmental protections. Both individuals have extensive backgrounds in dismantling regulations. This was indicative of a broader trend during Trump’s term, where regulatory rollbacks were commonplace, affecting air and water quality standards among other things.
**Host:** What do you think about the notion of moving the EPA operations out of Washington as part of dismantling the so-called “deep state”?
**Dr. Johnson:** That idea sparked considerable controversy. The “deep state” narrative suggests an alleged bureaucratic resistance, but relocating the EPA could potentially weaken environmental oversight by distancing it from federal scrutiny. While decentralization can empower local engagement, it risks undermining cohesive national strategies essential to environmental governance.
**Host:** As we witness a resurgence of discussions about these policies, what do you see as the path forward for environmental policy in the U.S.?
**Dr. Johnson:** It’s crucial that the U.S. not only reinstates previous protections but also innovates on them to tackle new challenges posed by climate change. This includes investing in renewable energy, restoring ecosystems, and ensuring that marginalized communities are included in the decision-making process regarding their environments.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Johnson, for your insights. It’s clear that the implications of the Trump administration’s environmental policies will be felt for years to come.
**Dr. Johnson:** Thank you for having me. These discussions are vital as we move forward in addressing our environmental challenges.
