Donald's Trump Impact On Environmental Policies
Kayla Lee
Embedded Files
The United States has begun a new phase in environmental policy with Donald Trump’s return to the presidency for a second term. The election on November 5th brought a major political shift that will impact the environment for the subsequent years. The plans from The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 led by alumni from the first Trump administration marks a big change from global climate goals and long-standing environmental standards.
With his re-election, Donald Trump has signaled a commitment to an even more aggressive environmental and energy agenda. This includes fundamental changes to the structure and operations of key federal agencies, as well as a reevaluation of international environmental commitments. The administration plans to significantly reduce the influence of regulatory agencies like the EPA and NOAA by eliminating entire departments responsible for climate research, pollution risk analysis, and regulatory development. Influential people like Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have been tasked with promoting efficiency and overseeing public health policies, which indicates a shift in focus.
Trump’s administration also aims to reverse decarbonization initiatives. Plans include clawing back funding and authorities from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, canceling methane emission controls, withdrawing regulations on the auto and power plant sectors, and expanding fossil fuel exploration on public lands and offshore. Additionally, the administration is expected to use the Supreme Court’s recent reversal of the Chevron deference to challenge existing regulations. Internationally, the administration is expected to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and oppose global initiatives aimed at reducing plastic pollution and preserving biodiversity. This withdrawal undermines global efforts to address climate change and environmental degradation, which leaves a leadership vacanty in international environmental diplomacy.
The administration’s policies caused opposition from environmental groups, Congressional Democrats, and international allies. House Democrats, supported by public opposition, aim to block and delay Trump’s legislative agenda. Environmental groups are turning to lawsuits to fight against the removal of regulations, while some companies are staying quiet to avoid criticism. Even with this opposition, the administration’s strong agenda creates big challenges for public health and climate progress.
Weakening regulations on air, water, and toxic substances risks exposing vulnerable communities to higher health risks. Abandoning decarbonization initiatives threatens to reverse progress toward limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Also, the withdrawal of the US from international agreements undermines global collaboration on environmental issues. As the Trump administration embarks on its second term, the stakes for environmental protection and public health have never been higher. The next four years will be defined by battles between a radical policy agenda and a determined opposition, shaping the future of U.S. environmental policy and its role in the global fight against climate change.
Works Cited
Munis, Kal, et al. “Why Donald Trump Won and Kamala Harris Lost: An Early Analysis of the Results.” Brookings, 6 Nov. 2024, www.brookings.edu/articles/why-donald-trump-won-and-kamala-harris-lost-an-early-analysis-of-the-results/. Accessed 01 Jan. 2025.
Schembri, Frankie. “Trump’s ‘Environmental Leadership’ Speech Contradicted By Policy Record.” Undark Magazine, 20 Apr. 2020, undark.org/2019/07/12/trump-environmental-speech/. Accessed 01 Jan. 2025.
“Trump Aims to Crush Legal Curbs on His Climate Rollback – but It May Not Be Easy.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 31 Dec. 2024, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/31/trump-climate-policy. Accessed 01 Jan. 2025.
Yosie, Terry F. “What to Expect for Environmental Policy in a 2nd Trump Administration.” Trellis, 2 Dec. 2024, trellis.net/article/what-to- expect-for-environmental-policy-in-a-2nd-trump-administration/. Accessed 01 Jan. 2025.
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