Yesterday, President Trump eliminated the endangerment finding that classified greenhouse gases as air pollutants. This finding was the basis for federal climate policy in the United States and made it possible to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. Without it, the rules that regulate emissions standards for vehicles, power plants, and fossil fuel facilities are up for review and potential cancellation.
While the deregulation means that the US government under the Trump Administration will continue its efforts to expand fossil fuel extraction and consumption, it won’t stop climate change; rather, the decision will increase it.
This decision took place while scientists report that climate change is accelerating (and these analyses are based on data collected before the newest efforts to stop climate action and burn more fossil fuels in the US).
There’s no question that this decision will lead the US and the world to experience even more climate-change exacerbated extreme events (or what I call “climate shocks” in Saving Ourselves), as well as the US falling even further behind in the global race for a clean energy future.
Moreover, this decision is also likely to contribute to the growing Resistance we are seeing in the streets, which is getting more confrontational and disruptive. As I recently wrote in The Guardian, “Although large-scale and legally permitted demonstrations continue to be scheduled, Resistance 2.0 has become more confrontational. Acts of nonviolent civil disobedience – such as blocking streets; following, recording and observing federal agents; and participating in general strikes and walkouts – have become much more common.”
The decision coincides with the federal government’s increasing its surveillance of activist groups that focus on immigration and more. Climate-focused Extinction Rebellion and Climate Defiance have recently reported being targeted.
Ignoring the science and the will of the people sets us all up for the perfect storm.
Dana R Fisher 