Trump Administration's Air Pollution Denial: Harmful And Misguided

Despite air pollution causing an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 premature deaths in the US annually, the Trump administration has been accused of launching an 'all-out assault' on the environment, with the former president taking more action against environmental protection in his first 100 days in office during his second term than he did in his entire first term. Trump's administration has encouraged the extraction of fossil fuels, blocked renewable energy projects, and dismissed climate change research, all of which contribute to worsening air pollution in the country.

The Trump administration has removed the US from the Paris climate accords

The Trump administration has taken a series of actions that deny the existence and impact of air pollution, and has also actively worked to dismantle policies and regulations designed to protect the environment and public health. One of the most notable moves in this regard was the decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accords.

In June 2017, President Trump announced his intention to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, a global accord aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change. The agreement, first negotiated in 2015, committed the US to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025. However, Trump argued that the agreement imposed unfair economic burdens on the country and would result in significant job losses. He also stated that the US would cease all implementation of the accord's commitments, including the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and contributions to the Green Climate Fund.

The process of withdrawing from the Paris Agreement was not immediate, as the accord imposes restrictions on exiting during the first few years. It took nearly four years for the US to officially leave the agreement. During this time, the Trump administration actively worked to roll back environmental protections and promote the use of fossil fuels. This included revoking policies that aimed to reduce emissions, such as those on coal- and gas-fired power plants, and blocking the development of renewable energy projects like wind and solar power. The administration also froze climate spending, weakened pollution standards for vehicles and power plants, and opened up protected lands for oil and gas drilling.

The decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement was met with criticism from environmental groups and experts, who argued that it would have negative consequences for both the environment and the US economy. They warned that failing to address climate change would lead to increased droughts, storms, heat waves, flooding, and sea-level rise, all of which would have significant human and economic impacts. Despite these warnings, the Trump administration maintained its position that protecting American jobs and businesses took precedence over the commitments made under the Paris Climate Accords.

The administration has cut funding for climate change research

The Trump administration has been heavily criticised for its stance on climate change and air pollution. In his first 100 days, Trump launched an 'all-out assault' on the environment, surpassing the number of rollbacks completed in his entire first term as US president.

One of the most significant ways in which the administration has denied the issue of air pollution is by cutting funding for climate change research. Trump has targeted scientific research in sweeping government job cuts, claiming to curtail wasteful spending. This includes cuts to the National Institutes of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The administration has also dismissed nearly 400 contributors to the sixth National Climate Assessment, which informs federal and local governments on preparing for climate change impacts.

In addition to cutting funding for climate change research, the Trump administration has also slashed government agencies responsible for regulating air pollution. For example, the EPA has been reduced in size, making it more challenging to enforce pollution regulations. The administration has also encouraged the extraction of fossil fuels and exempted coal power plants from clean air rules, contributing to increased air pollution.

Furthermore, Trump's team at the EPA framed their approach as "back to basics," focusing on air and water quality rather than taking action on climate change. This narrow focus ignores the broader impacts of air pollution on public health and the environment. The administration has also frozen climate spending and removed the US from the Paris climate accords, further signalling its denial of the air pollution crisis.

The cuts to funding for climate change research and the slashing of government agencies responsible for regulating air pollution indicate the Trump administration's denial of the issue. These actions have been met with concern and criticism from environmental groups and legal experts, who worry about the potential consequences for public health and the planet.

Trump has blocked approval for new solar projects and wind turbines

In addition to his administration's attacks on environmental protection, Donald Trump has blocked the approval of new solar projects and wind turbines, calling them "ugly" and "disgusting". Trump's energy emergency executive order excludes wind from its definition of "energy" or "energy resources", instead focusing on fossil fuels such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal. The order has stopped new approvals and renewals of wind energy projects on federal land and waters, threatening renewable energy goals.

Trump's actions have disrupted New York's plans to transition to all-green energy by 2040, with the state targeting a 70% renewably sourced grid by 2030. The Empire Wind 1 project, a massive buildout of offshore wind off the coast of Long Island, was expected to create over 1,500 jobs and power 500,000 homes. However, Trump's administration instructed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to halt construction, citing the need for further environmental review.

The decision to halt the Empire Wind project has caused uncertainty for other big wind projects, such as those planned in the NY5 solicitation. At least two projects have pulled out of the bidding process due to the freeze on new federal permits for offshore wind. Trump's opposition to wind energy extends to onshore projects as well, with his administration firing employees who were monitoring the impacts of onshore wind on wildlife.

Trump's blocking of solar and wind energy developments contradicts his claim of protecting the nation's air quality. His focus on fossil fuels and disregard for renewable energy sources contribute to air pollution, with nearly half of Americans exposed to potentially dangerous levels of pollution. The negative health impacts of air pollution are well-documented, affecting millions of people across the country.

The administration has encouraged more drilling and mining for fossil fuels

The Trump administration has encouraged more drilling and mining for fossil fuels, with the president declaring an "energy emergency" and urging the extraction of fossil fuels and other minerals from across the US. Trump has called for the US to “drill, baby, drill” for oil and gas, which he refers to as "liquid gold". This push for increased fossil fuel extraction is expected to lead to a surge in planet-heating emissions, with forecasts showing a jump in greenhouse gas emissions from active and planned projects in US oil and gas fields.

The administration has taken steps to expedite the approval process for fossil fuel projects, with the US Department of the Interior announcing that environmental analyses that previously took years must now be completed within a month. This move has been criticised as creating uncertainty for the industry, with companies facing a volatile regulatory environment and the risk of legal challenges. The administration has also withdrawn leases for offshore wind and halted construction on existing renewable energy projects, further favouring fossil fuel industries.

Trump's policies have opened up new areas for drilling and mining, including in the Arctic and the Pacific Ocean's seabed. The administration has also earmarked protected lands and ocean sanctuaries for fossil fuel extraction, with half of the US's national forests now available for logging and commercial fishing allowed in previously protected areas. This expansion of extraction activities has been accompanied by a rollback of environmental regulations, with more than 140 actions taken to reverse protections and promote fossil fuel use.

The push for increased drilling and mining has been welcomed by the fossil fuel industry, which has benefited from expedited permits and weakened environmental standards. However, it has been met with criticism from those concerned about the impact on the environment and public health. The administration's actions are seen as contributing to climate change and worsening factors that lead to wildfires, extreme heat, and drought, which are degrading air quality nationwide. Despite claims of improving air quality, nearly half of Americans are now exposed to potentially dangerous levels of air pollution, underscoring the consequences of the administration's denial of the urgency of the climate crisis.

The EPA has been weakened, with businesses now able to email to gain exemption from pollution regulations

The Trump administration has been heavily criticised for its environmental policies, with many claiming that the former president launched an "unprecedented assault upon the environment". One of the key ways in which this assault has manifested is through the weakening of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA, under the Trump administration, has taken a number of actions that critics argue have weakened the organisation and its ability to protect the environment and public health. One such action is the launch of the biggest deregulatory action in US history, which includes the reconsideration of a range of environmental rules and standards, such as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards and the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. The EPA has also prioritised the coal ash program, expediting state permit reviews and updating coal ash regulations, and has utilised enforcement discretion to further North Carolina's recovery from Hurricane Helene.

The Trump-era EPA has also targeted and reframed its mission, with Administrator Lee Zeldin stating that the agency's new mission is to "lower the cost of buying a car, heating a home, and running a business". This shift in focus has been interpreted by some as a move away from the EPA's traditional role of protecting the environment and public health, instead prioritising economic concerns.

Furthermore, the Trump administration has been accused of exempting businesses from pollution regulations. While there is no specific mention of businesses being able to email to gain exemption, the administration has been known to exempt dozens of coal power plants from clean air rules, as well as blocking the approval of new solar projects and wind turbines. This indicates a pattern of favouring the fossil fuel industry, which donated heavily to Trump's presidential campaign, over environmental concerns.

The weakening of the EPA and the exemption of businesses from pollution regulations have had significant impacts on air quality and public health in the US. A report by the American Lung Association found that nearly half of Americans (approximately 156 million people) are exposed to potentially dangerous levels of air pollution, with a 25 million increase compared to the previous year's report. This has been linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory problems, asthma, and premature death.

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