In a rapid and sweeping effort, President Trump has gutted federal climate regulations, frozen clean energy funding, and boosted fossil fuel production, drastically altering U.S. environmental policy with moves that could reshape the nation's role in the climate crisis.
Trump has slashed environmental regulations, withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement, and halted funding for clean energy projects, significantly setting back climate progress.
The administration has fired thousands of federal workers in key environmental agencies and defied court orders to continue funding legally approved climate initiatives.
Efforts to dismantle regulations include blocking state climate policies, cutting subsidies for electric vehicles, and weakening pollution controls, favoring the fossil fuel industry that heavily supported Trump’s campaign.
Key quote:
“We’re talking about undoing 50 years of environmental regulation and accelerating the extinction crisis and risking the health of the American people.”
— Ben Jealous, executive director, Sierra Club
Why this matters:
Trump’s rollback of climate protections could have lasting consequences for public health, energy costs, and the nation’s ability to combat climate change. By sabotaging the country’s climate commitments, Trump didn’t just delay progress — he locked in decades of damage, ensuring that future administrations will have their work cut out for them to even begin reversing the harm.
The U.S. Forest Service has lost thousands of employees in a mass layoff, raising concerns that wildfire response will shift to private contractors with fewer obligations to protect public lands.
The White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) fired 3,400 Forest Service employees, leaving some without housing and reducing federal firefighting capacity.
Private firefighting companies now account for nearly half of wildfire response, but experts warn they lack the long-term coordination and training of federal teams.
The Trump administration has pushed for privatization, proposing federal land sales and budget cuts that could further weaken public land management.
Key quote:
“It’s not going to be easy to convert that over to a privatized arrangement. It would be really stupid. That doesn’t mean [Donald] Trump and [Elon] Musk aren’t going to do it.”
— Rod Dow, retired smokejumper
Why this matters:
As climate change fuels increasingly severe wildfires across the United States, federal budget cuts are making it harder to protect forests and communities. A growing reliance on private companies for wildfire prevention and suppression raises concerns, as these firms can walk away from contracts they deem unprofitable — potentially leaving fire-prone regions without critical protection. Some conservationists warn that weakened public control could lead to increased logging, development, or restricted access to areas traditionally used for recreation and cultural purposes.
The world’s oceans saw a dramatic rise in marine heatwaves over the past two years, leading to deadly storms, mass coral bleaching, and disruptions to marine life and fisheries, a new study finds.
Marine heatwave days in 2023-24 were 3.5 times higher than in any previous recorded year, with nearly 10% of the ocean reaching record-high temperatures.
Warmer waters intensified storms, causing deadly floods and billions in damage, while also increasing whale and dolphin strandings as animals followed shifting prey.
Coral reefs and marine species suffered widespread harm, with some mitigation efforts — such as relocating coral — showing promise but lacking adequate resources.
Key quote:
“The more regularly our marine ecosystems are being hit by marine heatwaves, the harder it is for them to recover from each event.”
— Kathryn Smith, UK’s Marine Biological Association and lead author of the study
Why this matters:
Warmer oceans are reshaping the planet in ways that extend far beyond the coastline. As ocean temperatures climb, storms grow more intense, rainfall patterns shift, and vital marine ecosystems struggle to adapt. The consequences are felt worldwide, from flooded neighborhoods to disrupted food supplies. Coastal communities, particularly those reliant on fishing and tourism, face economic uncertainty as the ocean they depend on becomes increasingly volatile. Scientists warn that these trends will only accelerate without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Older adults living in hotter areas experience biological aging at a faster rate, according to a new study linking extreme heat to molecular changes in DNA.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from over 3,600 older adults and found those exposed to frequent extreme heat showed accelerated epigenetic aging.
The study linked living in areas with 140 or more days above 90°F per year to aging up to 14 months faster than those in cooler areas.
Scientists caution that while heat exposure and aging appear connected, more research is needed to determine causation and other contributing factors.
Key quote:
“DNA is like a blueprint,” but these epigenetic changes are like the “switchboard that controls which part of the blueprint gets activated.”
— Eun Young Choi, postdoctoral associate at the U.S.C. Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
Why this matters:
The effects of extreme heat on human health are well documented, with studies linking high temperatures to heat stroke, cardiovascular strain, and even mental health challenges. But emerging research suggests that heat may also take a toll at the cellular level, potentially accelerating aging itself. If heat exposure alters the biological mechanisms of aging, it could mean a greater burden of chronic illness and declining health in later years.
While this study opens the door to new questions, scientists caution that much remains unknown. Are these cellular changes reversible? How much heat exposure is too much? And are certain populations more at risk? As global temperatures rise, these are critical areas for future research.
China could take on a larger role in global climate action as the United States retreats from international agreements and funding, according to the president-designate of COP30.
COP30 President-Designate Andre Aranha Correa do Lago said China has provided key climate solutions and could be looked to for greater leadership.
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris Agreement and cut global climate funding.
China’s dominance in solar panel production, fueled by years of subsidies, has helped lower costs worldwide, benefiting renewable energy expansion.
Key quote:
"Reducing the prices of solar panels is one of the most fantastic policies to expand renewable energy in developing countries."
— Andre Aranha Correa do Lago, COP30 president-designate
Why this matters:
China’s expanding influence in global energy policy is becoming more pronounced as the United States pulls back from its climate commitments. As the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China plays a central role in shaping the future of renewable energy, particularly through its massive investments in solar power. The geopolitical implications of China’s energy policies are profound. Without strong U.S. engagement, will climate action become more fragmented, dictated by national interests rather than collective urgency? The answer may determine how quickly — if at all — the world can meet its climate goals.
Environmental groups are preparing for a wave of lawsuits against the Trump administration’s regulatory rollbacks, but concerns are growing over whether the White House will comply with court decisions.
Advocacy groups, having sued Trump extensively during his first term, are better prepared for legal challenges but face a more conservative U.S. Supreme Court.
Trump’s mass firings of experts may weaken his administration’s ability to defend deregulatory actions in court.
Some worry that Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s rhetoric suggests they may not abide by judicial rulings.
Key quote:
“The authoritarian statements that the president has made and his vice-president have made, the suggestion that the executive is in some way above the law and that they might ignore the decisions of federal courts, are deeply disturbing and highly antidemocratic.”
— Jason Rylander, legal director of the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute
Why this matters:
The legal battles over Trump’s environmental rollbacks could shape federal regulatory power for years. The administration’s deregulatory push includes reversing protections on public lands, weakening pollution controls, and fast-tracking infrastructure projects. Courts have historically blocked many such efforts, but a right-leaning Supreme Court may shift the balance. If the administration refuses to follow rulings, it could trigger a constitutional crisis, raising broader concerns about executive power and the rule of law.
A youth-led conservative climate group is using its growing influence to push Republicans on environmental and energy issues as the party consolidates power in Washington.
The American Conservation Coalition (ACC), founded in 2017, aims to engage Republicans on climate and energy while aligning with conservative priorities like nuclear energy, forest management, and natural gas.
ACC leaders have built relationships with key GOP figures, including members of Congress and Trump administration officials, as they advocate for policy changes in permitting and conservation.
While some Republicans remain skeptical of climate policies, ACC argues that conservatives have lacked a vehicle for productive engagement on environmental issues.
Key quote:
"We have known for a long time that conservatives want to come to the table on our issue set, and they want to have a voice on climate, energy and conservation."
— Danielle Franz, CEO of the American Conservation Coalition
Why this matters:
Historically, Republican leadership has leaned toward deregulation and an expansion of fossil fuel production, citing economic growth and energy independence as primary concerns. But with younger conservative voters and business leaders increasingly acknowledging climate risks, groups like the ACC are working to reframe environmental responsibility as compatible with free-market principles. Their approach favors innovation, carbon capture technologies, and market-driven solutions over government mandates, aiming to counter the perception that climate action is solely a left-leaning priority.
As the party navigates policy decisions, its handling of environmental regulation, federal energy subsidies, and international climate commitments will be closely watched. How much influence groups like the ACC will ultimately have remains an open question, but their presence signals a potential shift in how climate issues are debated within the party.
Prisons, jails and detention centers are placed in locations where environmental hazards such as toxic landfills, floods and extreme heat are the norm.
Credit: Carolyn E. Ramírez
