
www.fastcompany.com
11 February 2020
This biodegradable bioplastic sucks carbon from the air
What if more materials not only reduced their own environmental impact, but also actively tried to go farther?
President Trump’s Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued a directive making it easier to develop fossil fuels on public lands, reversing conservation efforts and threatening migratory birds, national monuments and endangered species.
In short:
Key quote:
“Even as imperiled species dwindle and vanish across America, this order will fan the flames of the extinction crisis.”
— Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity.
Why this matters:
Public lands, which make up nearly 28% of the United States, have long been a battleground for competing interests. Conservationists argue that these lands should serve as a refuge for biodiversity and a buffer against climate change, while industries see untapped potential for economic growth. This directive tilts the balance decisively in favor of the latter, potentially opening millions of acres to oil, gas and coal extraction.
Related: Burgum confirmed as Interior Secretary, set to boost fossil fuel extraction
The Trump administration’s freeze on climate and energy funding has disrupted businesses, nonprofits and local governments, with rural projects in conservative-leaning states facing stalled reimbursements and financial strain.
In short:
Key quote:
“This administration has created this catch-22 for communities across America. Local governments must either halt critical infrastructure projects and risk breaching their contracts or potentially going bankrupt or continue working without ever knowing if they’ll ever receive federal reimbursement.”
— Jillian Blanchard, Lawyers for Good Government.
Why this matters:
The uncertainty surrounding federal reimbursements for clean energy projects is creating ripple effects across industries and communities. Businesses, farmers and utilities that moved forward with initiatives—such as solar installations, wind farms or electrification projects—are now grappling with the possibility of losing financial support they relied upon. This issue speaks to the challenges of long-term planning in an era where clean energy policies are deeply intertwined with political and legal battles.
A freeze on USAID funding, supported by Elon Musk and the Trump administration, has halted key climate initiatives, potentially jeopardizing disaster preparedness and clean energy projects worldwide.
In short:
Key quote:
“We were literally providing lifesaving support.”
— Gillian Caldwell, former USAID chief climate officer.
Why this matters:
The United States Agency for International Development has long been at the forefront of addressing global climate challenges, particularly in vulnerable regions where rising temperatures, extreme weather events and sea level rise threaten livelihoods and stability. These efforts have included helping countries transition to clean energy sources, bolstering their resilience to natural disasters and supporting sustainable development practices. The potential elimination or scaling back of such programs raises significant concerns for both global and domestic interests.
Read more: U.S. foreign aid freeze threatens Brazil’s deforestation fight
The Trump administration has swiftly deleted climate and environmental justice data from federal websites, prompting scientists and advocates to scramble to preserve critical resources.
In short:
Key quote:
"Policymakers and the public and communities need good information to make the best policy decision, whatever that is."
— Carrie Jenks, executive director of the Environmental & Energy Law Program at Harvard University.
Why this matters:
Reliable data informs everything from crafting public health protections to enforcing environmental regulations. It highlights inequities in air and water quality, tracks the impacts of extreme weather events and guides resources toward those most in need. Policymakers, researchers and advocacy groups rely on this information to target interventions, ensuring that communities with fewer resources aren't left to bear the brunt of environmental degradation. Erasing such data not only obscures the scope of the problem but also weakens accountability for polluters and decision-makers.
A federal judge’s order has prompted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to lift a spending freeze on some programs under the bipartisan infrastructure law and Inflation Reduction Act, though major climate-related funds remain paused.
In short:
Key quote:
"They are flagrantly disregarding the law. It is outrageous."
— Sam Ricketts, co-founder of S2 Strategies
Why this matters:
Federal funding plays a crucial role in states' ability to tackle pollution, remediate hazardous waste sites and transition to cleaner energy sources. From Superfund cleanups to grants for wind and solar projects, these dollars shape the speed and scale of environmental progress at the state level. But when disbursements stall — whether due to bureaucratic hurdles, shifting political priorities or legal challenges — efforts to build climate resilience and address long-standing environmental injustices can grind to a halt.
Related: Trump administration shifts EPA leadership to political appointees
Global warming has accelerated since 2010, raising concerns that a critical Atlantic Ocean current could shut down within decades, leading to extreme sea level rise and disruptive climate shifts.
In short:
Key quote:
“The main issue is the sleeping giant, the point of no return, the danger of an AMOC shutdown and large sea level rise.”
— James Hansen, climate scientist
Why this matters:
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, a major system of ocean currents that regulates the Earth's climate, has become a focal point in discussions about the accelerating effects of climate change. Its potential collapse — an event scientists warn could occur sooner than previously thought — has staggering implications. Such a breakdown would disrupt global weather systems, causing abrupt shifts in rainfall and temperature patterns that are critical for agriculture, freshwater availability and food security. Researchers also note that current climate models might be underestimating the speed of warming, a concerning prospect as it suggests these disruptive events may arrive faster than anticipated.
Donald Trump’s push to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" draws attention away from decades of offshore drilling, pollution and environmental devastation affecting marine life and coastal communities.
In short:
Key quote:
"We actually haven’t found one oil-free fish yet."
— Steven Murawski, marine biologist, University of South Florida
Why this matters:
The Gulf of Mexico is a lifeline for millions, sustaining vital fisheries, fueling coastal economies and providing habitat for a stunning array of marine life. But this vast body of water, bordered by the United States, Mexico and Cuba, is under growing pressure. Pollution — from agricultural runoff, industrial waste and oil spills — continues to degrade water quality, threatening both biodiversity and public health. Climate change is raising ocean temperatures and intensifying storms, further stressing fragile ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.
Read more: Farm to Trouble series: Farming practices contribute to persistent Gulf of Mexico "dead zone"
“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.
We must prioritize minority-serving institutions, BIPOC-led organizations and researchers to lead environmental justice efforts.
Responses to the new rules have been mixed, and environmental advocates worry that Trump could undermine them.
Prisons, jails and detention centers are placed in locations where environmental hazards such as toxic landfills, floods and extreme heat are the norm.
The leadership team talks about what they’ve learned — and what lies ahead.
Top polluters are benefiting the most from tax breaks.