10 reasons why Donald Trump can’t derail global climate action

If you’re interested in saving the Earth from disaster, Donald Trump’s re-election as president of the United States may be making you a little sad. There is no denying that his return to the White House is a real setback to climate action.

Trump is a climate change denier who promised increase fossil fuel production And withdraw the USA From the Paris climate agreement, among other worrying promises.

But beyond Trump and his circle, deep concerns about climate change remain. especially among young people. Support for climate policy remains high USA and all over the world. And studies Based on data from 60,000 people It suggests that individuals’ concerns about climate change are vastly underestimated in more than 60 countries.

So now is a good time to remember that efforts to tackle the climate crisis (both in Australia and globally) are much bigger than just one man. Here are ten reasons to stay hopeful.

1. The global transition to clean energy is unstoppable

The global transition to clean energy is accelerating, and Trump can’t stop it. Investing in clean energy Left fossil fuels behindand it will happen Almost double investment in coal, oil and gas in 2024. This is a historic megatrend and will continue with or without American leadership.

2. Clean energy momentum is likely to continue in the US

Most Biden-era spending is on clean energy industries Went to Republican states and Congressional districts. new factories for batteries and electric vehicles It will continue on its way under the Trump administration. After all, entrepreneur Elon Musk Join the Trump administration – produces electric vehicles.

Some of Trump’s financial supporters: receiving subsidies for clean energy production and 18 Republican members of Congress are on record Opposing cuts to clean energy tax credits.

3. The US still wants to beat China

There Bipartisan concern in Washington It’s about the United States losing its technological edge to Beijing. Currently China dominates global production electric vehicles, batteries, wind turbines and solar panels. So the internal pressure in the USA Countering China’s manufacturing might will continue.

4. The federal government isn’t everything in the United States

The last time Trump was in power, he withdrew the US from some climate commitments, such as the Paris Agreement. But many state and local governments are moving forward on climate policy, and it will happen this time, too. For example, California, the world’s fifth largest economy, Eliminating the greenhouse gas footprint by 2045. Even Texas, the Republican heartland Leading the transition to wind and solar energy.

5. US climate action will be more energetic than ever

During Trump’s first presidency, the US climate movement “Green New Deal”. Many of these recommendations were later implemented by the Biden administration. first reactions Trump’s reelection suggests we can expect similar policy advocacy this time around.

6. Global climate cooperation is bigger than Trump

If Trump follows through on his promise to leave the Paris Agreement (again), he’ll just walk out of the room Where is the future of the world taking shape?. The US has walked away from global climate agreements before; for example, Refusing to join the Kyoto Protocol In 2001. But other countries have rallied for global action and will do so again.

7. The rules-based global order will continue

When a nation strays from existing rules Agreement reached after decades of negotiationsResponsible countries should work together to promote global cooperation. This also applies to trade and security; The climate is no different.

As our Foreign Minister Penny Wong recently announcedAs a middle power on the world stage, Australia wants:

A world where disputes are resolved through participation, negotiation and appeal to rules (and) norms (…) We do not want a world where disputes are resolved solely by power.

8. Australian diplomacy matters

Australia aims to co-host United Nations climate talks with Pacific island countries in 2026. emerges as favorite. Hosting the conference known as COP31 would be a chance for Australia to broker a new era of international climate action, even if the US abandons the Trump administration.

Hosting the talks will also help cement Australia’s place in the Pacific and help our Pacific neighbors tackle the climate threat.

9. Australia’s transition to clean energy is accelerating

Approximately 40% of Australia’s main national electricity grid strong by renewable energy sources and this rate is expected to increase to 80% by 2030. Some states are moving forward quickly; for example, South Australia aims for 100% renewable energy until 2027.

Australians love clean energy in their homes, too. Solar energy is installed on the roof of one in every three houses, which makes us a world leader in the purchase of technology. Trump occupying the Oval Office cannot stop this momentum.

10. Trump can’t change the science of climate change

The science is clear: Burning coal, oil and gas fuels and exacerbates climate change. disaster risk these are harming communities right now. In Australia, we need look no further than the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20 and the unprecedented Lismore floods of 2022.

And the damage is occurring all over the world. Twin hurricanes hit the US in October: strengthened by the warming ocean – left a damage report More than $100 billion. And hundreds of people died a year’s rain It crashed in one day in Spain last month.

On bleak days, such as the election of a climate denier to the White House, it may feel like humanity is unable to confront Earth’s greatest existential challenge. But there are many reasons to hope. The vast majority of us support policies to combat climate change, and in many cases this momentum is virtually unstoppable.

Wesley MorganResearch Assistant, Climate Risk and Response Institute, UNSW Sydney And Ben NewellProfessor of Cognitive Psychology and Director of the UNSW Climate Risk and Response Institute, UNSW Sydney

This article is republished from: Speech It is under Creative Commons license. Read original article.