Two Black people looking at a computer

Trump’s climate rollback plans could harm Black communities most

As Donald Trump prepares to take office, his climate agenda threatens environmental protections, risking severe consequences for Black communities in pollution-heavy areas.

Adam Mahoney reports for Capital B.


In short:

  • Trump’s policies aim to dismantle Biden-era climate programs like the Justice40 initiative, which prioritized underserved communities for climate investments.
  • Proposed rollbacks include weakened pollution regulations, expanded fossil fuel infrastructure and cuts to renewable energy incentives, disproportionately affecting Black communities.
  • Key appointees with fossil fuel ties, like Doug Burgum and Chris Wright, are poised to prioritize oil and gas interests over public health and climate action.

Key quote:

“With the election of Donald Trump, we know environmental justice policies and hard-fought wins brought about by our movements over decades are on the chopping block.”

— KD Chavez, executive director, Climate Justice Alliance

Why this matters:

Black communities, often located near industrial facilities, bear a heavy environmental burden. Scaling back protections may worsen pollution, health disparities and climate vulnerability in these areas, leaving them with fewer tools to address these challenges.

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

Rocks placed on a beach to reduce erosion.

How rising seas and ancient laws are fueling beach battles across the U.S.

Coastal communities from California to South Carolina are locked in legal and environmental conflicts over whether to protect private homes or public beaches as climate-driven sea level rise accelerates.

Cornelia Dean reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
A business man holding his hand out with an illustration of a dollar sign hovering above his palm.

Authoritarian regimes control most major fossil fuel companies driving global emissions

A growing share of greenhouse gas emissions is tied to state-owned oil and gas firms in autocratic nations, raising questions about how to achieve meaningful climate cooperation.

Fiona Harvey reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
Webpage with stock market numbers.

Corporate America retreats from climate-conscious investing amid Republican attacks

Once a rising force in finance, ESG investing has become a political target, leading major firms to abandon climate pledges and prompting investigations into potential antitrust violations.

Steven Mufson and Tom Hamburger report for The Atlantic.

Keep reading...Show less
a blue bench with yellow stars painted on it in a circle.

EU drops dedicated funding for biodiversity as part of new green budget overhaul

The European Commission’s proposed restructuring of its trillion-euro budget eliminates dedicated biodiversity funding, raising fears that nature restoration will lose out to more profitable green initiatives.

Marianne Gros and Leonie Cater report for POLITICO.

Keep reading...Show less
Firetrucks and firefighters gathered on a highway with a raging wildfire in the background.

Wildfires in Los Angeles cost $65 billion, exposing shifting climate risks and economic impacts

Two January wildfires in Los Angeles County caused $65 billion in damages, making them the costliest fires in U.S. history and reshaping expectations for wildfire season.

Jorge L. Ortiz reports for USA TODAY.

Keep reading...Show less
a yellow flood sign sitting on the side of a wet road with uneven pavement.

Parents protest in Washington, D.C. after Texas camp tragedy

A group of Texas mothers and climate activists protested near the White House Monday, blaming the deaths of 27 children in recent floods on government cuts to weather forecasting and emergency response systems.

David Smith reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
A man pulling a rickshaw in a flooded street.

India must boost climate infrastructure funding as urban populations swell

India will need more than $2.4 trillion by 2050 to protect its fast-growing cities from worsening climate threats like flooding, extreme heat, and rising seas, according to a new World Bank report.

Nikunj Ohri reports for Reuters.

Keep reading...Show less
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.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.