environment
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Trump’s plans unsettle federal workers
Federal employees fear for their jobs as Trump’s campaign promises to fire civil servants and demolish the “deep state.”
In short:
- Federal workers worry about job security and policy reversals under a potential second Trump administration.
- Trump’s new running mate, JD Vance, supports firing mid-level bureaucrats to reshape the federal workforce.
- Democrats are divided over President Biden’s re-election campaign amid his recent COVID-19 diagnosis.
Key quote:
“I think he’s learned more about what he needs to do with his incoming administration if he were to be elected.”
— National Park Service employee
Why this matters:
Federal employees are anxious about losing their jobs and seeing their work undone if Trump wins. This instability could impact the effectiveness and morale of the civil service.
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Trump’s climate policy legacy has lasting effects at home and globally
Former President Trump’s environmental policies, including exiting the Paris Agreement and rolling back more than 100 regulations, continue to influence climate efforts both in the U.S. and internationally.
In short:
- Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and his regulatory rollbacks have had enduring impacts, inspiring similar actions by populist leaders worldwide.
- His administration appointed conservative judges, including three Supreme Court justices, who have ruled against federal environmental regulations, complicating Biden’s efforts to reverse Trump’s policies.
- Trump’s rhetoric has fueled skepticism about climate policies, influencing political movements in Europe to weaken climate commitments.
Key quote:
“The Trump administration was the most anti-environmental, anti-climate, anti-public health administration we’ve ever had, by far.”
— Tiernen Sittenfeld, senior vice president for government affairs at the League of Conservation Voters
Why this matters:
Trump’s policies have undermined global climate efforts and set a legal precedent that hampers future regulatory actions. These changes pose significant challenges to achieving long-term climate goals and protecting public health.
Relevant EHN coverage:
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Trump could face fewer hurdles to overhaul the EPA in a second term
Donald Trump, if re-elected, would likely face fewer legal and bureaucratic barriers to significantly alter environmental and climate regulations, leveraging a more favorable judicial landscape and conservative support.
Brad Plumer and Lisa Friedman report for The New York Times.
In short:
- Trump's previous attempts to roll back environmental regulations were often blocked by courts and internal resistance.
- Project 2025, led by conservative allies, outlines plans to weaken the EPA's authority on climate rules and environmental protections.
- The Supreme Court's conservative majority could facilitate Trump's regulatory changes, posing a challenge to existing environmental policies.
Key quote:
"It's going to be easier. They’re going to have better people, more committed people, more experienced people."
— Myron Ebell, former EPA transition leader
Why this matters:
A weakened EPA could result in reduced efforts to combat climate change, affecting global warming mitigation. Regulatory changes may increase environmental risks and undermine public health protections.
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Trump denies knowing about Project 2025 crafted by his former officials
Former Trump officials, including senior energy and environmental appointees, have created Project 2025, a policy blueprint for a potential second term, despite Trump claiming no knowledge of it.
In short:
- Project 2025 is a policy guide organized by the Heritage Foundation and co-authored by former Trump officials, aiming to reshape energy and environmental policies.
- Key contributors include Mandy Gunasekara, William Perry Pendley, and Bernard McNamee, who propose significant regulatory rollbacks and agency overhauls.
- The Biden campaign criticizes the project as extreme, linking it directly to Trump’s agenda despite his disavowal.
Key quote:
“It’s not meant to be a blueprint for Donald Trump — it’s meant to be a blueprint for a conservative president.”
— Stephen Moore, Project 2025 co-author
Why this matters:
Project 2025 could influence future conservative administrations, potentially leading to major shifts in U.S. energy and environmental policies. The debate around this blueprint highlights the political divide over environmental regulation and climate change strategies.
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Brazil weighs oil wealth against environmental commitments
Brazil's Amapá state, rich in forests but plagued by poverty, considers tapping offshore oil reserves for economic growth despite environmental risks.
In short:
- Amapá, an isolated state with high poverty rates, explores offshore oil to boost its economy.
- Environmentalists warn of risks to Amazonian ecosystems and Indigenous lands.
- President Lula faces balancing oil development with Brazil's environmental promises.
Key quote:
“We’re not going to throw away any opportunity for this country to grow.”
— President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Why this matters:
Amapá's government faces a dilemma familiar to many resource-rich regions: how to harness natural wealth without sacrificing environmental integrity. Proponents argue that oil extraction could fund much-needed infrastructure and social programs, lifting many out of poverty. However, environmentalists warn of the significant risks. Offshore drilling can be catastrophic for marine ecosystems, potentially harming fisheries that local communities depend on.
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Wind farm plans in Chile raise environmental concerns
Chile’s ambitious green hydrogen strategy faces opposition as conservationists worry about its impact on the Magallanes region's bird sanctuary and ecosystems.
In short:
- Chile aims to become a top green hydrogen exporter, leveraging the Magallanes region's renewable energy potential.
- Conservationists warn that extensive wind farm development could harm Bahía Lomas, a crucial site for migratory shorebirds.
- The region's diverse ecosystems and endangered bird species are at risk from poorly planned hydrogen projects.
Key quote:
"We value hydrogen as a possible option of decarbonization, we’re just alerting about the way it’s being aggressively promoted and developed, particularly in this region."
— Diego Luna Quevedo, specialist in policy and governance for Manomet Conservation Sciences.
Why this matters:
Advocates for green hydrogen argue that this initiative could position Chile at the forefront of sustainable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering economic growth. However, conservationists are voicing concerns that the construction and operation of green hydrogen facilities could disrupt the local wildlife, particularly the bird populations that the Magallanes region harbors.
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Trump plans major rollback of climate policies if re-elected
Donald Trump plans to dismantle key climate policies and boost fossil fuel production if re-elected, alarming scientists and environmentalists.
In short:
- Trump’s Project 2025 plan aims to reverse Biden's climate initiatives, increasing oil and gas production while reducing renewable energy support.
- The plan could significantly increase U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, hindering global climate goals and exacerbating extreme weather events.
- Critics warn this shift could jeopardize U.S. leadership in global climate efforts and lead to severe environmental and public health impacts.
Key quote:
“What [Project 2025] would do is slow down and delay that transition, undercut the ability to bring down emissions, which is very harmful for the climate and causes a lot of pollution in communities near these facilities.”
— Rachel Cleetus, policy director at the Union of Concerned Scientists
Why this matters:
A second Trump presidency could severely impact efforts to combat climate change, both in the U.S. and globally. Increased emissions and weakened environmental regulations would likely result in more pollution and extreme weather, endangering public health and safety.
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