As President Trump began his second term, there was palpable unease among oil executives regarding climate change, which they characterized as more of a “belief problem.” Contributing a hefty $1 billion to the forthcoming 2024 campaign, Trump took significant steps such as expanding coal mining and offshore oil drilling. He also issued a presidential order that enforced state-level restrictions on carbon emissions while slashing funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
In July, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin expressed intentions to revoke a policy from 2009 that recognized pollutants from fossil fuel combustion as a health risk. Officials claimed this decision was part of a larger critique of climate regulatory frameworks set up by the Department of Energy. Zeldin criticized those who, in the name of climate protection, he believed were willing to jeopardize the economy. He argued these regulations were excessively restrictive.
The Department of Home Affairs is currently holding consultations, which have caused delays in permits for wind and solar projects—by 2024, these projects produced 16% of the U.S. electricity supply.
Critics argue that the Trump administration’s skepticism towards what Zeldin termed the “climate change religion” rests on incorrect premises. Global warming is, in fact, a pressing issue; Earth’s temperature is rising at an alarming rate. The consequences include melting ice sheets, rising sea levels, and increased frequency of extreme weather events. Addressing climate change, some argue, could yield economic benefits that outweigh costs, especially for developing nations and for countless people worldwide.
Numerous studies have affirmed that human actions—especially the burning of fossil fuels—are detrimental to the climate. An estimated 97% of climate scientists are in agreement on this. One expert noted that there hasn’t been any recent evidence to undermine this scientific consensus.
The National Climate Assessment Report provided extensive data showing that climbing temperatures adversely affect public health. The research suggests that each slight increase in temperature could lead to millions experiencing unprecedented heat exposure. In fact, extreme heat has already begun to claim more lives in the U.S. than any other natural disaster.
In his latest book, Bill McKibben highlights the complexities of calculating the economic impact of various energy sources. For instance, disasters like wildfires and hurricanes have made it increasingly difficult for insurance companies to provide coverage in at-risk areas, resulting in a rise in uninsured homeowners from 5% in 2019 to 12% by 2024.
The UK actuarial society has projected that, if temperature rises persist, the global GDP could plummet by 50% by 2070, leading to significant declines in essential services.
Contrary to claims of impending bankruptcy, renewable energy sources like solar and wind are proving to be more economical than fossil fuels. McKibben notes that renewables are abundant and affordable, especially considering that fossil fuel resources need to be regularly replenished, whereas solar panels can produce energy for decades.
In 2024, the majority of new electricity generated worldwide, as well as in the U.S., came from carbon-free sources. Notably, California reduced its natural gas usage by 44% compared to the previous year. Interestingly, the largest solar panel manufacturing facility in the Western Hemisphere is located in a Georgia district represented by Marjorie Taylor Green, while Texas has significantly expanded its cleaner energy output compared to California and Arizona.
McKibben also points out that renewables might actually create more job opportunities than those lost in the carbon-heavy industries.
China has emerged as a leader in clean technology, investing significantly while positioning itself as the “Saudi Arabia of solar power.” By 2024, several Chinese companies surpassed traditional oil giants in energy production, contributing to China’s dominance in the electric vehicle market.
The U.S. has an opportunity to catch up. A 2022 poll revealed that 70% of Americans prefer renewable energy to fossil fuels. However, McKibben notes that complacency could reverse this progress, leaving America trapped in a reliance on internal combustion and disconnected from global advancements.
Bill McKibben, a long-time advocate for climate action, provides a sobering reminder that now is the critical moment for action if we wish to stabilize the climate.
There’s a saying, often attributed to Mark Twain, that sometimes it’s not the unknowns that cause trouble, but rather the things we think we know. Hopefully, with informed pressure from voters in the U.S. and abroad, a significant shift in policy is possible.
