Former UN climate chief warns of global impact of a possible regression in US green policies

Former UN climate chief warns of global impact of a possible regression in US green policies

Victory for Donald Trump in the US presidential election this year could put the world’s climate goals at risk, a former UN climate chief has said.

The chances of limiting global heating to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels are already slim, and Trump’s antipathy to climate action would have a major impact on the US, which is the world’s second biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and biggest oil and gas exporter, said Patricia Espinosa, who served as the UN’s top official on the climate from 2016 to 2022.

“I worry [about the potential election of Trump] because it would have very strong consequences, if we see a regression regarding climate policies in the US,” Espinosa said.

Although Trump’s policy plans are not lear, conversations with his circle have created a worrying picture that could include the cancellation of Joe Biden’s groundbreaking climate legislation, withdrawal from the Paris agreement and a push for more drilling for oil and gas.

  • Buffalox@lemmy.world
    30·
    8 months ago

    They are already at risk, so it’s more likely he could make it a certainty they will fail.
    Trump is a sociopath, so he doesn’t give a shit. People who can’t see that, are probably sociopaths themselves, or EXTREMELY stupid or misinformed.

    • rayyy@lemmy.world
      9·
      8 months ago

      Living in a small rural area, you can drive around and see the orange mobster’s signs in yards of people that you recognize as crooks, drunks, meth-heads, (especially meth-heads) and the "poorly educated.

      • mozz@mbin.grits.dev
        1·
        8 months ago

        Well, which candidate do you think they’re most similar to on a personal level? I won’t say that’s crazy. Him being in power isn’t going to do them any particular favors any more than he will anyone else in the country, but it’s not weird if something about him resonates with them.

  • WarmSoda@lemm.ee
    9·
    8 months ago

    Could? He already did a lot of damage to them when he was president. Of course he’ll try to do more damage if he has another term.

    Does nobody writing articles remember his time as president?

  • TechNerdWizard42@lemmy.world
    71·
    8 months ago

    It doesn’t matter if Trump wins or Biden wins or heck if even Kennedy wins. The climate change has already reached the no turning back point. We are no longer dealing with scenarios trying to get things back to a natural curve. We’re now trying to figure out how to deal with some vs lots of consequences.

    The time to care was a long time ago. Now is the time to figure out how to live with the consequences of others inaction.

    As usual XKCD has one of the better infographics on the subject.

  • bumphot@lemy.lol
    35·
    8 months ago

    Yes, US needs to vote for a Green Party. Joe Biden approved oil drilling project last year despite the usual lies that he cares for the environment. Until there is a real change in politics, there will be no real effort in climate change.

      • OhmsLawn@lemmy.world
        35·
        8 months ago

        Bah. Nobody needs reminding.

        Trump supporters see rolling back climate restrictions favorably. Everyone else has more pressing concerns.

        Pretty sure the lines are drawn at this point.