ENVIRONMENT

The early actions taken by Donald Trump following his inauguration on January 20, 2025, signal profound and far-reaching consequences for the environment. These policies, ranging from withdrawing from international climate agreements to promoting fossil fuel extraction, prioritize short-term energy expansion over long-term environmental stewardship. Below, we outline the immediate and long-term impacts of these decisions.

Immediate Environmental Impacts

1. Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement

Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate accord erodes global cooperation in addressing climate change. This move:

• Removes the U.S. from international efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

• Undermines the credibility of climate diplomacy, encouraging other nations to slow or abandon their commitments.

• Freezes $2 billion in previously obligated U.S. funds to the International Climate Finance Plan, halting renewable energy projects and climate adaptation initiatives in developing nations.

2. National Energy Emergency and Use of Eminent Domain

Declaring a “national energy emergency” enables the federal government to prioritize energy projects at unprecedented levels by:

• Using eminent domain to seize private and Indigenous lands for pipelines, drilling sites, and refineries, sidestepping community opposition and legal challenges.

• Accelerating fossil fuel development without conducting full environmental impact assessments.

• Encouraging the use of the Defense Production Act to prioritize the extraction and processing of critical minerals, leading to habitat destruction and resource depletion.

3. Expedited Permitting for Energy Projects

Trump’s directive for the Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies to use emergency permitting provisions dramatically shortens approval times for energy projects by:

• Reducing or eliminating the requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which mandates environmental reviews.

• Weakening enforcement of the Endangered Species Act, allowing projects to proceed in ecologically sensitive areas without adequate safeguards.

• Encouraging similar practices in other federal agencies, creating a regulatory loophole that sacrifices long-term conservation goals for immediate energy development.

4. Elimination of Electric Vehicle (EV) Policies

By repealing policies designed to promote EV development and adoption, Trump’s actions:

• Remove tax credits and subsidies that made EVs more affordable to consumers.

• End federal investment in EV charging infrastructure, stalling the transition to cleaner transportation.

• Signal a preference for internal combustion engines, perpetuating reliance on oil and increasing transportation-related emissions.

5. Regulatory Rollbacks Across Agencies

Trump’s order for federal agencies to eliminate regulations deemed “burdensome” to energy production impacts:

• Air quality standards under the Clean Air Act, increasing smog and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Water protections under the Clean Water Act, exposing rivers, lakes, and wetlands to industrial pollution.

• Wildlife protections, reducing oversight of activities affecting migratory birds, marine mammals, and other vulnerable species.

6. Streamlining Fossil Fuel Extraction in Alaska

Trump’s actions to resume fossil fuel leasing and development in Alaska, particularly within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), result in:

• The resumption of drilling in pristine Arctic ecosystems, disrupting habitats for polar bears, caribou, and migratory birds.

• Revocation of protections for Indigenous sacred sites within ANWR, disregarding tribal sovereignty and cultural heritage.

• Loosening restrictions on hunting and trapping in national preserves, potentially leading to overharvesting of wildlife.

7. Restrictions on Renewable Energy Development

Making the Outer Continental Shelf ineligible for wind energy leases directly hinders renewable energy progress by:

• Preventing offshore wind farms that could provide clean energy to millions of homes.

• Favoring offshore drilling and exploration, increasing risks of oil spills and marine ecosystem degradation.

8. Water Diversion Policies in California

Reigniting a legal battle over California’s water routes prioritizes agricultural and urban water demands over ecological needs by:

• Diverting water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, endangering native fish populations such as salmon and Delta smelt.

• Ignoring scientific recommendations for sustainable water management, exacerbating long-term water shortages.

• Threatening wetlands and riparian habitats that depend on consistent water flows.

Long-Term Environmental Impacts

1. Accelerated Climate Change

Without U.S. participation in the Paris Agreement, global efforts to limit warming are undermined, leading to:

• Increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes, heatwaves, and wildfires.

• Melting polar ice caps and rising sea levels, threatening coastal cities and ecosystems worldwide.

• Economic instability as climate-related disasters increase in scale and frequency.

2. Biodiversity Loss

The cumulative effects of habitat destruction, weakened protections, and climate change accelerate:

• Extinction rates for already-vulnerable species such as the polar bear, monarch butterfly, and various amphibians.

• Degradation of coral reefs, wetlands, and forests that provide vital ecosystem services.

• Loss of genetic diversity, reducing resilience to future environmental changes.

3. Entrenchment of Fossil Fuel Dependence

By prioritizing fossil fuels over renewables, these policies:

• Delay the adoption of cleaner energy technologies, perpetuating global reliance on coal, oil, and gas.

• Create stranded assets as renewable energy becomes more cost-competitive and fossil fuel infrastructure becomes obsolete.

• Hamper U.S. leadership in the global clean energy economy, ceding market dominance to other nations.

4. Public Health Decline

Relaxed pollution standards contribute to worsening public health outcomes, including:

• Higher rates of asthma, lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases from increased air pollution.

• Contamination of drinking water supplies from unregulated industrial runoff.

• Greater health disparities in low-income and marginalized communities located near industrial sites.

5. Irreversible Damage to Fragile Ecosystems

Short-term economic gains from fossil fuel extraction in sensitive areas result in:

• Permanent loss of biodiversity in Arctic, coastal, and wetland ecosystems.

• Long-term disruption of natural processes, such as carbon sequestration and water filtration.

• Cultural and ecological degradation affecting Indigenous peoples and future generations.

6. Erosion of International Credibility

The U.S.’s withdrawal from global climate leadership:

• Weakens international agreements and trust in collaborative solutions to global challenges.

• Makes future re-engagement in climate diplomacy more difficult.

• Encourages other nations to prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term sustainability.

The Financial Fallacy: Short-Term Gains vs. Long-Term Losses

The financial rationale behind these executive actions may appear compelling in the short term, but the long-term economic repercussions far outweigh the immediate benefits. Trump’s policies prioritize rapid energy expansion, particularly in the fossil fuel sector, yet this approach is both reckless and short-sighted.

1. Short-Term Gains

• Increased fossil fuel production may temporarily boost job creation in the oil, gas, and coal industries.

• Expanded resource extraction leads to higher government revenues from leases and royalties.

• Lower regulatory burdens reduce operational costs for energy companies, spurring industry growth.

2. Long-Term Financial Losses

• Climate-Driven Disasters: As global temperatures rise, the economic toll of climate-related disasters such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and droughts will escalate. These events already cost the U.S. hundreds of billions annually, and unchecked emissions will amplify these costs.

• Healthcare Costs: Increased air and water pollution will lead to higher healthcare expenses. Treating respiratory illnesses, cancer, and other pollution-related diseases will burden both individuals and the healthcare system.

• Damage to Ecosystem Services: Natural ecosystems provide invaluable services such as water filtration, carbon sequestration, and flood control. Their degradation will necessitate costly man-made replacements.

• Stranded Assets: Investments in fossil fuel infrastructure risk becoming stranded as global markets shift toward renewables and stricter climate policies. These assets will lose value, leaving industries and governments with significant financial liabilities.

• Loss of Renewable Energy Leadership: By sidelining renewable energy development, the U.S. forfeits its competitive edge in a rapidly growing global market. Other nations, particularly China and the EU, will dominate clean energy innovation and exports, leaving the U.S. economically disadvantaged.

A Reckless and Short-Sighted Strategy

The emphasis on immediate profits neglects the broader economic implications of environmental degradation. The true cost of these policies will be borne by future generations, who will face diminished natural resources, escalating disaster recovery costs, and a degraded quality of life. Investing in sustainable energy and environmental protections, by contrast, offers a more stable and prosperous economic future.

The environmental and financial consequences of Donald Trump’s early actions as president are immediate and far-reaching, affecting ecosystems, public health, and global climate efforts. These policies prioritize fossil fuel interests and deregulation, posing significant long-term risks to planetary health and economic stability. Reversing these impacts will require bold, coordinated efforts to realign U.S. policies with sustainable development and climate resilience.