3 of the Most Important Trump Executive Orders on Climate

Climate|3 of the Most Important Trump Executive Orders on Climate

On the heels of the hottest year in recorded history, one that brought the planet to a dangerous temperature threshold, President Trump effectively told the world on Monday that the United States is out of the climate fight.

Hours after his inauguration, Trump signed a barrage of executive orders to dismantle Joe Biden’s agenda on climate and clean energy. The orders propel dozens of actions, including eliminating programs aimed at protecting communities disproportionately affected by pollution and demanding an end to protections for a tiny fish in California that Trump blames for water shortages in the state.

Trump also announced a national energy “emergency” that could unlock authority to suspend environmental regulations and speed permits for mining, drilling, pipelines and natural gas export terminals.

Collectively, the executive orders put the United States on a path to increasing production of coal, oil and gas at a time when scientists say governments must rapidly pivot away from fossil fuels, the burning of which is dangerously heating the planet.

But there is little Trump can do simply with the stroke of a pen. Most of his orders will require that federal agencies repeal regulations, a time-consuming process. Environmental groups also are expected to file lawsuits, which could slow or stop some of Trump’s agenda.

Still, here are three major orders that could have far-reaching consequences.

Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement

Trump announced yesterday that the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, the pact among almost all nations to fight climate change. His move solidifies what most of the world already knew: America is an unreliable partner on climate change.