Why Greens in Gloucestershire Say Trump is a Threat to The Environment

Donald Trump, a well-known climate change denier who has labelled green energy a “scam”, has now become the 47th president of the United States. But what danger does this pose for the environment?

For years, Trump has made it clear that he is an avid supporter of fossil fuel industries, including coal and oil, which create a direct threat to the planet. By promoting the use of these non-renewable resources, his administration risks stalling progress toward cleaner energy initiatives that are crucial for a sustainable future. The potential expansion of drilling in protected areas can lead to habitat destruction and further biodiversity loss.

But Tabi Joy, the Green Party councillor for St Paul’s, Cheltenham, thinks his unconventional statements are just a façade to bring more money in.

“I don’t necessarily think Trump believes climate change isn’t happening; I think he just benefits a lot from fossil fuel extraction… It’s the nature of capitalism as an exploitative structure.”

“It’s a bit nutty… It gave a lot of other countries license to have similar agendas. I think it’s frustrating because the US is hugely influential, but I wonder if it’s losing its credibility a bit?”

Joy wants people to stay positive, despite if they’re feeling hopeless about Trump’s election.

“I genuinely don’t want Trump and his ilk to determine my mood, I don’t want him to have that influence over me… There’ still so much we can do to influence and encourage the people who already want to make a difference.”

It will come as no surprise when Donald Trump withdraws from the Paris climate Agreement (a treaty by world leaders to prevent global warming rising more than 1.5°C) during his second term as president, after promising to do so throughout his presidential campaign. This is not the first time either; after being elected in 2016, he pulled out of the agreement, notoriously calling climate change “a big hoax”.

This decision not only undermines international cooperation but also diminishes the United States' role as a leader. Without a unified global approach, the consequences of climate change, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events, are likely to worsen, affecting millions of lives.

Dr Lincoln Garland, an ecologist and environmental scientist, said “Trump's policies during his previous presidency, such as withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement and rolling back environmental regulations, were major setbacks for global efforts to tackle climate change and associated losses of biodiversity. He may double down on this during his next term in office.”

While the global response to climate change involves many countries, the reduction of US leadership in climate initiatives will hinder international progress on setting and achieving critical emission reduction targets.

“US leadership is imperative if we are to tackle climate change because the United States is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. The US also possesses significant economic, technological, and diplomatic resources, with significant potential to influence other countries through partnerships and funding. Without strong U.S. participation, achieving worldwide climate goals becomes much more challenging. Unified global action is essential.”

 Experts suggest the danger of giving a global warming sceptic control of the most powerful country in the world is undeniable.

Garland said, “Allowing a leader who denies or doubts the scientific consensus on climate change to be in such power can pose significant risks, as it may lead to policies that ignore critical efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts.”