No More Restraint: A Second Trump Presidency and the War on Climate Science

The Likelihood of an All-Out War on Climate Science

Former President Donald Trump, known for his skepticism of climate change, is expected to intensify his efforts against climate science and policies if he were to secure a second term in the White House. During his first term, Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement, appointed fossil fuel lobbyists to environmental agencies, and made baseless claims about the Earth's rising temperatures. His campaign utterances and the policy proposals being drafted by his supporters indicate that a second Trump presidency would bring about an all-out war on climate science and policies, surpassing his first-term efforts that stalled U.S. climate action. These efforts could include meddling in federal climate reports, a tactic that his aides refrained from taking in his previous term. Steve Milloy, a former Trump transition team adviser and a critic of climate science, believes that the approach would involve a return to full-scale fossil fuel production and a lack of action on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Need for Stronger Actions

According to Milloy, Trump's first term was hindered by the presence of individuals from the Washington political class who resisted dismantling parts of the government. However, if Trump were to be reelected, Milloy and other allies expect him to appoint officials who are even more hostile towards efforts to address global warming. Trump's return to his previous claims that human-caused global warming is fake, along with his baseless accusations about wind turbines causing whale deaths, exemplifies his renewed aggression towards climate science. His disregard for moderate and independent voters, as shown through his unfiltered rhetoric on climate policy, indicates that he is more likely to empower efforts against climate action and initiatives in his potential second term.

The Rollbacks and Weakening of Climate Policy in the First Term

Trump's first term was marked by the rollback and weakening of climate policy. He appointed energy lobbyists to key positions, attempted to dismantle fossil fuel regulations, and withdrew from the Paris Agreement. His administration fought to keep coal-burning power plants open, even when utilities wanted to close them for economic reasons, and launched an antitrust probe against automakers committed to meeting stringent clean-air standards. Trump's actions and statements on various scientific matters displayed a disregard for mainstream research and scientific consensus. However, his administration did not fully embrace climate denialism, as evidenced by the blocking of a plan to conduct a hostile review of the National Climate Assessment and the failure to install climate science critics in top positions at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Additionally, efforts to publish cherry-picked data and misleading climate claims were dismissed by the White House science office.

The Battle Plan for a Second Trump Administration

Supporters of Trump are now working on a comprehensive plan to decimate climate policy and regulations on fossil fuels, ensuring a more aggressive stance in a potential second term. Conservative groups, including the Heritage Foundation and former Trump administration officials, are leading the Project 2025 effort. This effort aims to turn government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, towards increasing fossil fuel production instead of prioritizing public health protections. The goal is to systematically deconstruct the administrative state and take power from Day 1 of a second Trump administration. Trump's previous reluctance to fully embrace climate denialism is attributed to the influence of political advisers. However, his supporters believe that a second term would allow him to pursue a broader restructuring of federal climate science.

Challenges in Winning Over Voters

Despite the fervor of Trump's supporters, polling suggests that his complete denial of climate change may not be a winning issue in the 2024 election. A CNN poll released last month revealed that 73% of U.S. adults believe that the government should do more to address climate change. The majority of Americans, including Republicans and Democrats, want the government to cut emissions in half by 2030. Over the years, the country has witnessed deadly and destructive extreme weather events that have increased awareness of the consequences of rejecting climate policy. Trump's base may be receptive to his rejection of basic science, but this extreme stance could alienate independent voters who play a crucial role in deciding elections. Trump's language has become more extreme, making his position on climate change sound bizarre to many.

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By: Scott Waldman
Title: No More Restraint: A Second Trump Presidency and the War on Climate Science
Sourced From: www.politico.com/news/2024/01/12/trump-second-term-climate-science-2024-00132289
Published Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2024 05:00:00 EST