Donald Trump

Donald Trump wins US presidency. What that could mean for the environment.

His first term and recent campaigns signal massive deregulation and a reshaping of agencies.

Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election on Wednesday and while his campaign largely focused on isolationism, immigration, crime and inflation, his previous record in the White House suggests ramped up domestic fossil fuels production, weakening of laws meant to curb pollution and an overhaul of environmental and health agencies.


We’ve been gathering the top analyses and articles on what his election means for the near- and long-term U.S. environmental health landscape. Please scroll to the bottom of the article for a rundown of the top news, which we will update throughout the week.

On the international stage, a Trump presidency could significantly weaken U.S. support for cutting plastic production via the global plastic treaty. He has made clear his support for the fossil fuel industry, reducing greenhouse gas regulations on power plants and cars in his first term. The fossil fuel industry is the major driving force in defeating or deflecting plastic bans and production caps.

During his first administration, Trump also took the U.S. out of the international Paris Agreement on climate change. While the Biden administration brought the U.S. back into the agreement, the Trump campaign has said it would withdraw again — something the United Nations secretary general António Guterres said this week would “cripple” the agreement.

More broadly, Trump often denies that human-caused climate change exists and in his first term inserted climate change deniers into key positions. During his campaign, he’s repeated lies about sea level rise and other climate change impacts, and during interviews has downplayed the threats. All of this happens as the U.S. is still picking up the pieces from Hurricane Helene and other storms that scientists say are made more dangerous by our warming climate.

Dan Lashof, U.S. director at the World Resources Institute, said in a statement “there is no denying that another Trump presidency will stall national efforts to tackle the climate crisis and protect the environment,” but pointed to ongoing clean energy and climate momentum in both blue and red states.

“Trump has every reason to build on transformations already underway. Electrifying buildings and transportation — including school buses — benefits rural and urban communities alike by cutting costs and improving efficiency,” he said. “At the same time, America’s croplands, wetlands and forests desperately need more investments to protect them from intensifying wildfires, droughts and flooding.”

Trump also reversed dozens of environmental regulations beyond greenhouse gases in his first term — including 28 on air pollution and eight on water pollution.

In addition, Project 2025 — a policy playbook created by multiple former Trump administration officials at the Heritage Foundation — aims to gut environmental regulations, including removing many current Endangered Species Act protections; repealing the Antiquities Act (which allows for the creation of national monuments); eliminating health-based air quality standards; and reducing community voices in environmental decision-making.

While Trump has tried to distance himself from Project 2025, he and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, have multiple ties to the agenda. Eighteen of the 40 authors and editors of the playbook served in the first Trump administration.

A Trump presidency could reshape federal health agencies and policies as well. With the embrace of former candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Trump campaign in recent weeks has teased getting rid of fluoride in water and rethinking vaccine programs, which have saved millions of children’s lives.

And the federal agencies that create and enforce regulations to keep people and our environment healthy are all under threat. Trump and Vance pledged to “demolish the deep state” and reportedly seek to put loyalty to Trump above all else in agency appointments. Even prior to his win, federal employees were signaling alarm.

Our newsroom has been gathering the top articles and information about how a Trump presidency could impact you. Check out the articles below.

Please subscribe to our daily newsletter, Above the Fold, to start your day with the latest environmental news from the U.S. election and beyond.

A wildfire on distant hills with houses in the foreground

In the West, utilities are shifting the cost of wildfires to customers

Laws in Utah and other Western states are capping wildfire damages and letting utilities pass costs onto ratepayers, shielding companies like Berkshire Hathaway Energy from massive payouts while leaving fire victims with fewer options.

A closeup of solar panels

Solar and batteries break records, stabilize Texas grid through scorching summer

Texas solar power set 17 generation records this year while batteries hit four discharge highs, keeping the grid stable during extreme heat and outpacing coal.

People walking. on a flooded street in an Asian country

World’s water cycle veers between floods and drought as climate crisis deepens, warns WMO

A new World Meteorological Organization report warns that climate change is driving an increasingly unstable global water cycle, with nearly 60% of rivers now experiencing either too much or too little water.

Brown United Nations logo on an orange background

New York readies for record Climate Week despite Trump chill factor

Despite U.S. rollbacks on climate policy, New York’s Climate Week is drawing its largest-ever turnout, with more than 1,000 events planned and strong engagement from businesses, nonprofits, and global leaders.

A lake with a wildfire and billowing smoke in the background

Wildfire smoke could cause 71,000 U.S. deaths a year by 2050, study warns

New research finds that wildfire smoke already kills more than 41,000 Americans annually and could become the nation’s deadliest climate health threat by mid-century, with California projected to see the steepest rise in mortality.

Green ocean water with an orange life preserver floating in the water

Key oceans treaty crosses critical threshold to come into force

A landmark global treaty to safeguard ocean biodiversity will take effect in January after receiving its 60th ratification, paving the way for new marine protected areas in international waters. Environmental groups hailed the move as a turning point for ocean conservation.

Illustration depicting pumpjacks vs solar panels & wind turbines
Credit: MIRO3D/BigStock Photo ID: 147195269

Trump's policies threaten bipartisan energy agreement

Key Democrats say they are not willing to play ball to achieve a deal on permitting reform unless the administration stops going after green energy projects — especially those that have already been approved.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

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