Climate Change Experts Brace for Setbacks Under Trump 2.0, But See Hope in Key Sectors
As the Trump administration prepares for a second term, climate change experts warn of potential setbacks in the U.S.’s progress on climate action. A panel of specialists convened by Harvard’s Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability predicted legal, regulatory, and political challenges that could halt or reverse efforts to address climate change.
However, they also identified areas of optimism, particularly in state-level initiatives and the growing profitability of clean technology.
President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda includes ramping up oil and gas production, rolling back climate-friendly regulations like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. Legal battles and aggressive deregulation are expected to dominate, with Trump’s control over Congress and the Supreme Court enabling swift action.
Jody Freeman, Harvard Law School professor and faculty director of the Environmental and Energy Law Program, explained that even if efforts to repeal climate legislation like the IRA fail, the ongoing litigation and regulatory changes could “chill” climate action and discourage private-sector initiatives. This, Freeman said, could be more damaging than outright repeal.
James Stock, vice provost for climate and sustainability at Harvard and director of the Salata Institute, moderated the virtual discussion, emphasizing the complexity of the political landscape.
Robert Stavins, Harvard Kennedy School professor and head of the Harvard Project on Climate Agreements, highlighted the international consequences of a potential U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, noting that other countries like the EU and China may intensify their leadership on climate action.
Peter Tufano, Baker Foundation Professor at Harvard Business School, noted that while volatility and uncertainty could hinder business investments in green technologies, sectors like insurance and renewable energy will continue to be driven by climate-related events and opportunities.
Tufano pointed out that, despite the political landscape, the profitability of clean technologies, such as wind power and methane leak reductions, will likely keep momentum going in some industries.
“Despite the challenges, some sectors will continue to advance,” said Stavins. “The low price of wind power and the need for insurers to respond to climate-related disasters will keep momentum going in these areas.”
While the Trump administration’s approach will likely slow national climate progress, local and business-driven initiatives could provide crucial pathways forward in the fight against climate change.
Source: The Harvard Gazette
