Mike Nicklas January 23, 2025
Photo credit: pidjoe
(ASES Member Op-Ed)
Despite the fact that a 2024 University of Chicago poll conducted with the Associated Press found that 78% of Americans believe that climate change is occurring today and not a hoax and that 59% feel the Federal Government has a responsibility to address climate change, President Trump’s first actions as president are to ignore science and proceed with his pro-fossil fuel agenda. Even though 64% of Americans support solar and 60% support wind being implemented in their communities, Trump decides to support fossil fuel expansion which is only supported by 34% of Americans. With 59% of Americans supporting the passage of regulations limiting emissions from power plants and vehicles, President Trump goes against the wishes of the American public and implements dozens of executive orders that will increase fossil fuel use and kill renewable energy. Despite a recent Pew Research Center survey determining that 74% of Americans said the U.S. should be involved in international climate action, Trump’s first executive orders dictate that we withdraw from the Paris Agreements on Climate Change.
The following summarizes the devastating results of President Trump’s first day in office.
Executive Order: PUTTING AMERICA FIRST IN INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS
While President Trump’s executive orders stress the country’s need to “grow its economy and maintain jobs for its citizens while playing a leadership role in global efforts to protect the environment” the directives clearly do just the opposite. In looking at the specifics of these numerous executive orders, his “drill baby drill” campaign promise and support of the fossil industry take precedence over all environmental considerations. In “Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements,” it is hard to understand how the following executive orders “protect the environment.”
- “United States Ambassador to the United Nations shall immediately submit formal written notification of the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement” and “in collaboration with the Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury, shall immediately cease or revoke any purported financial commitment made by the United States under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.”
- “The U.S. International Climate Finance Plan is revoked and rescinded immediately.”
- The heads of all federal departments and agencies are to detail “their actions to revoke or rescind policies that were implemented to advance the International Climate Finance Plan.”
- “The head of any department or agency that plans or coordinates international energy agreements shall henceforth prioritize economic efficiency” in “all foreign engagements that concern energy policy.”
Executive Order: DECLARING A NATIONAL ENERGY EMERGENCY
In declaring a national energy emergency and listing specific measures to better ensure our country’s energy independence, President Trump defines the “energy” or “energy resources” to receive incentives as “crude oil, natural gas, lease condensates, natural gas liquids, refined petroleum products, uranium, coal, biofuels, geothermal heat, the kinetic movement of flowing water, and critical minerals,” while intentionally excluding solar and wind.
Executive Order: UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY
While President Trump states that it is “in the national interest to unleash America’s affordable and reliable energy and natural resources” he implements directives that discourage our country’s most affordable and abundant natural resources – solar and wind. By eradicating the federal government’s efforts to enhance electric vehicle use, encourage consumers to select energy and water-efficient appliances and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, President Trump is also implementing directives that go against one of our country’s highest “national interests” – mitigating the impacts of climate change.
While Trump has directed the heads of all agencies to “identify those agency actions that impose an undue burden” on “oil, natural gas, coal, hydropower, biofuels, critical mineral, and nuclear energy resources” he is revoking the efforts of past presidents, and specifically President Biden’s following executive orders designed to mitigate climate change:
– Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis,
– Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad,
– President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology,
– Rebuilding and Enhancing Programs to Resettle Refugees and Planning for the Impact of Climate Change on Migration,
– Establishment of the Climate Change Support Office,
– Climate-Related Financial Risk,
– Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks,
– Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability,
– Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, and
– Implementation of the Energy and Infrastructure Provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
Trump’s executive order immediately terminates all “activities, programs, and operations associated with the American Climate Corps.”
His orders disband the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases and declares that any past recommendations or documents created by the working group are no longer government policy. This action by Trump is particularly impactful in that it eliminates the past and future guidance of all our national agencies regarding the importance of scientific integrity, greenhouse gas measuring and monitoring and the evaluation of the societal costs associated with greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, he is ordering EPA to eliminate the consideration of the “social cost of carbon calculation from any Federal permitting or regulatory decision.”
In order to minimize Congress’ previously approved efforts to address climate change and the impact that solar and wind can have in job creation and energy independence over the next decades, Trump’s executive order state that “All agencies shall immediately pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-169) or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), including but not limited to funds for electric vehicle charging stations made available through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program.”
Action Needed
If Trump’s executive orders are successfully implemented, the next generation will be given a world ravished by climate change. Already we are feeling the impacts of climate change. But, without Congressional action focused on “reducing” fossil fuel consumption, we will soon be facing even more intense hurricanes and wildfires, sea level rise, mass extinction of species, the death of our oceans, resource wars, and millions of climate refugees. Congress needs to act now. Trump’s agenda will destroy our last shot at offsetting the worst-predicted outcomes from climate change.
For complete list of Executive Orders: https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/all-of-the-executive-orders-trump-signed-on-his-first-day-back-in-the-white-house/ar-AA1xAC9W?ocid=BingNewsSerp
Michael Nicklas
Mr. Nicklas was a founder of the NC Solar Energy Association, Chair of the American Solar Energy Society and President of the International Solar Energy Society. His extensive knowledge of solar energy and environmental issues has led to appointments and positions with the United Nations Development Program, NC Energy Policy Council, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Advisory Board, NC Solar Center Chair, and the U.S. Office of Technology Assessment.
Please see the ASES Call to Action for ways you can be a renewable energy advocate.