Climate Change: What's next?
What will the next four years mean for the fight against climate change? This post explores the potential environmental impacts of Donald Trump’s energy policies, from fossil fuel expansion to policy rollbacks, and the risk of undermining global climate agreements.
ENVIROMENT
Vicky Gao
12/5/20242 min read
A New President-Elect and the Climate Crisis
As the United States gears up for a new presidential term, Donald Trump’s return to the White House has been sparking significant debates. His administration's plans like expanding fossil fuel drilling and reversing renewable energy policies, could reshape America’s stance on climate change. This shift comes at a time when the world urgently needs unified climate action.
Why Climate Change Has Become a Hot Topic For Discussion?
Over the past decade, climate change has become one of the most urgent global conversations. Wildfires, hurricanes, and rising sea levels are no longer distant threats—they’re here, and they’re intensifying. For young people like me, this isn’t just a headline. It’s a future that looks increasingly unstable unless major action is taken.
From protests to policy advocacy, the younger generations have played a crucial role in raising climate concerns. Yet, while the people's voices grow louder, the U.S. government’s actions remain inconsistent, shifting drastically with each administration.
What to Expect For the Next Four Years:
Fossil Fuels First
Trump’s energy agenda focuses on expanding oil drilling, increasing LNG exports, and removing restrictions on fossil fuels. This could undo many of the clean energy initiatives introduced during the Biden administration. While this supports economic growth, the environmental cost is huge, increasing carbon emissions significantly.
Rolling Back Progress
Key climate policies and agreements like stricter methane emissions rules, and renewable energy funding could be scrapped. The U.S. might also re-withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, which was an agreement created by almost all of the countries around the world to work together to decrease global temp to below 2 degrees Celsius, thus likely leaving global climate cooperation in disarray.
Red line: Trump eliminates key Biden climate policies. Blue line: Biden climate policies stay in place. Gray line: The current U.S. climate target. Source: CarbonBrief
The Silver Lining
Despite the environmental concerns, Trump’s energy plan does offer some potential benefits, especially in terms of economic growth and energy security. By expanding fossil fuel production, the U.S. could reduce its reliance on foreign energy, and create jobs in industries like oil and natural gas extraction. This move could also help keep energy costs lower for consumers while boosting national GDP. Additionally, increasing LNG (liquified natural gas) exports could possibly improve the U.S. trade balance. While these aspects may appeal to certain groups, the environmental costs are a serious concern in the long run.
My Take
Personally, I would rather pay a bit more for gas than develop health concerns when I am in my sixties. It is so important that we start realizing how serious the problem of climate change is. The next four years will shape the planet we will inherit, If emissions rise unchecked, the effects will be catastrophic. We are the future, now more than ever, young people must rally for change and start speaking out, protesting, and advocating for our future.