President-elect Donald J. Trump’s return to the White House has sparked widespread concern among environmentalists and climate policy advocates. With a history of rolling back environmental protections and a vision starkly opposed to green energy initiatives, Trump’s second term is poised to reshape the United States’ climate action landscape profoundly undermining years of progress toward a sustainable future.
A Legacy of Rollbacks
In his first term, President Trump dismantled over 125 federal environmental protections, withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, and gutted federal climate initiatives. Many of these rollbacks faced legal challenges, but his renewed presidency, supported by a solid conservative majority in the Senate, may cement these regressive policies. Trump’s allies have even suggested the U.S. exit the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), further isolating the nation from global efforts to combat climate change.
The potential harm extends beyond symbolic withdrawal. A Trump administration could freeze Biden-era environmental regulations and dismantle the Justice40 initiative, designed to ensure disadvantaged communities benefit from federal investments. This would slow environmental justice work, disproportionately harming marginalized populations already burdened by pollution.
Clean Energy Investments in Peril
Clean energy investment has surged under President Biden, driven by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Since 2022, over 354 clean energy projects have been announced across 40 states, creating more than 330,000 jobs and attracting $265 billion in investments. Notably, much of this growth has occurred in Republican-led states, underscoring the bipartisan economic benefits of renewable energy.
However, Trump’s disdain for these initiatives is evident. Labeling Biden’s policies a “green new scam,” Trump aims to cut clean energy tax credits—valued at $350 billion over the next three years. Such reductions would jeopardize projects that rely on these subsidies, stalling growth in solar, wind, and electric vehicle manufacturing.
Trump’s team has also signaled a shift toward fossil fuel projects, with plans to ease drilling regulations, increase logging, and reduce emissions standards for power plants. These measures would tip the investment scales in favor of oil and gas, reversing the momentum toward a decarbonized economy.
International Implications
Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in 2017 weakened U.S. leadership in global climate diplomacy. A second exit would further erode the nation’s credibility and influence, leaving it sidelined in crucial international negotiations. Isolationist policies could also undermine multilateral efforts, such as combating deforestation and promoting sustainable energy transitions worldwide.
The repercussions extend to trade policy, where Trump’s proposed tariffs on clean energy imports could disrupt supply chains for solar panels, wind turbines, and battery materials. While tariffs aimed at high-emission imports like steel and cement might reduce “emissions leakage,” poorly coordinated policies could hinder overall climate goals.
Economic and Judicial Ramifications
Trump’s re-election could lead to significant changes in the judicial landscape, with additional conservative judges likely to side with polluters in environmental lawsuits. Combined with executive actions, these rulings could dismantle emission-limiting regulations, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities.
Moreover, financial markets have already reacted, with clean energy stocks dropping post-election while fossil fuel shares surged. This shift reflects investor uncertainty about the future of renewable energy under a Trump administration. Banks and firms are pausing renewable energy deals, wary of policy reversals that could lower returns.
Glimmers of Hope
Despite these challenges, some factors may temper the impact of Trump’s policies. The popularity of the IRA’s tax incentives across red and blue states makes outright repeal unlikely. Additionally, market forces—such as the growing demand for electric vehicles and the decreasing costs of solar energy—could sustain renewable energy investments.
Moreover, state and local governments, businesses, and community leaders have demonstrated resilience. Initiatives like America Is All In, formed after Trump’s first Paris Agreement withdrawal, show that subnational actors can lead climate action even without federal support.
As the U.S. faces escalating climate crises, from wildfires to hurricanes, the stakes have never been higher. A second Trump presidency threatens to undermine decades of progress in environmental protection and climate action. However, bipartisan support for clean energy investments and grassroots resilience offers a counterbalance to potential federal rollbacks.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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