Donald Trump’s historic election portends massive changes at many levels of the government. The environmental sector may be most at risk. Many changes will arise as new leaders are put in positions of power—their actions may erase decades of progress, rendering the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and various other agencies weak. It’s up to private citizens and other countries to now take matters into their own hands.
The Obama administration has, for the most part, been effective in effecting environmental change. From signing the historic Paris climate agreement to setting new emissions standards for vehicles, the eight years under President Obama have been full of movements in the right direction.
Trump’s triumph over Hillary Clinton, however, has put much of the progress we’ve made in jeopardy. The controversial president-elect, who infamously declared climate change a “hoax” that was invented by the Chinese to make American manufacturing less competitive, has shown little interest in protecting the environment and has pledged to keep fossil fuel plants in business. He has vowed to tear up the Paris Agreement—a major blow to the future of the planet. If Trump sticks to his word, the world’s top carbon dioxide emitter (per capita) will refuse to adhere to the process agreed upon to keep warming below two degrees Celsius and the planet’s fate may be sealed.
In many ways, Trump has backtracked on campaign promises. His promises to prosecute Hillary Clinton and to “drain the swamp” in Washington by promoting outsiders have both fallen through. His bashing of President Obama and Obamacare has also given way to more moderate views. He does not, however, seem likely to become a champion of environmentalism. Trump has tapped Myron Ebell, a well-known climate skeptic, to head up the EPA transition. This does not bode well for the environmental movement.
The president-elect’s disregard for the environment comes at a crucial time for the planet. As ice caps melt, oceans rise and acidify and extinctions proliferate throughout the world, the world has gotten serious about combatting climate change. The leaders of every major country in the world believe in climate change. Even the Chinese government, which supposedly invented the concept of climate change to hurt the U.S. economy, has urged the president-elect to adhere to the agreement.
If Trump intends to render federal agencies toothless, it is now up to private citizens, local and foreign governments and nongovernmental organizations to take the reins of the movement until the U.S. government takes the lead again.
Since Trump’s election, leaders have urged distraught citizens to not give up and to continue to support causes they feel strongly about. John Oliver made an impassioned plea to viewers to donate to groups that will fight for those endangered by a Trump presidency. Private citizens can—and should—help out groups that will fight for equality and other progressive values. Environmentalism is no different.
Various environmental groups and nongovernmental organizations have used the election as an opportunity to ramp up fundraising in an effort to offset the damage that could be done by a Trump-led government. Sierra Club has not tried to stay nonpartisan in their recent campaign, using slogans like “Fight Back Against Trump” to get money. The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has also urged supporters to “Protect Our Planet From Trump.” Other worthy organizations such as World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International and the Nature Conservancy will have to lead the fight against a government that threatens to be apathetic to environmental issues.
Other governmental bodies will also be forced to take charge in order to protect the planet. Many cities have taken initiative and enacted their own legislation: San Francisco has pledged to be completely waste-free by 2020 and many cities including San Francisco, Aspen, San Diego, Grand Rapids, San Jose and Burlington have committed to run on 100 percent renewable energy in the next 20 years.
These progressive cities have been able to make real progress without needing to rely on the federal government, with other cities hopefully joining forces in the next four years.
Foreign governments will also have to become leaders in the movement. Many countries, particularly in Europe, have shown a strong commitment to renewable energy. Others who have signed on to international agreements are on the right path to limiting their carbon footprint. Even countries such as China and India, that have rapidly-growing economies, are investing heavily in clean electricity systems. Maybe the thought of China taking control of the renewable energy industry will be enough of a motivator for President-elect Trump to reconsider his views on climate change (but that’s no guarantee).
Many progressives (and Americans in general) felt distressed when Trump captured the presidency. They feel as if they will have less of a say in this new America and in some ways they are unfortunately correct. In other ways, however, they have more influence than ever. We are blessed to have had an administration that has committed itself to taking care of environmental issues over the last eight years. For the next four, with no federal government to act for us, it’s on us more than ever before to be the change we wish to see in the world.
Sebastian is a sophomore majoring in history and environmental studies. How do you plan on upholding environmentally responsible values over the next four to eight years? Do you have reason to believe that President-elect Trump will be a better environmental steward than he’s indicated to this point? Please send all questions, comments and concerns to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
