Trump expands fossil fuel agenda while slashing science and renewable energy, potentially setting back green progress by decades

President Trump has declared a national “energy emergency” to justify expanded fossil fuel production and severe cuts to climate science, weather research, and clean energy programs.

Peter Stone reports for The Guardian.

In short:

In his first six months back in office, Trump signed multiple executive orders to boost coal, oil, and gas while gutting green energy tax credits and defunding climate-related science.
Trump’s administration is shutting down 10 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) labs and plans to reduce the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency workforce by at least 23%.
Experts and former officials say Trump is dismantling the science infrastructure that supports public health and environmental protections, while rewarding fossil fuel donors.

Key quote:

“Trump’s actions are a patent attempt to roll back decades of environmental progress, not because it makes any sense, economically, but because it does two things that Trump wants.”

— Naomi Oreskes, historian of science at Harvard University

Why this matters:

Climate science, public health, and weather forecasting all depend on the integrity and funding of federal agencies like NOAA, the EPA, and USGS. These agencies monitor pollution, study severe weather, and provide data that protects communities from disasters. Gutting them not only hinders our ability to respond to climate threats but erases decades of progress built by bipartisan investment in science. The government's dismantling of this research capacity jeopardizes early warning systems, undermines health protections, and leaves frontline communities more exposed to flooding, heat waves, and air pollution.

www.theguardian.com

Trump expands fossil fuel agenda while slashing science and renewable energy, potentially setting back green progress by decades

Emperor penguin chicks drown as melting sea ice pushes species toward extinction

California’s ambitious floating offshore wind plan faces engineering hurdles and local opposition

The year so far: hottest and driest in US history

There’s hope for the offshore wind industry — yes, really

Federal delay of silica dust rule leaves coal miners at risk of black lung

US EPA chief celebrates endangerment finding repeal with climate skeptics

A more troubling picture of sea-level rise is coming into view

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.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

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

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

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.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

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