Trump's former climate representative alleges global science consensus is under threat by the former Administration
In a recent testimony, John Podesta, former senior point person on international climate policy for President Joe Biden, shed light on the Trump administration's approach to climate action and its repercussions.
Podesta stated that the Trump administration is promoting fossil fuels in bilateral relationships and international forums, a move that he believes may cause a little havoc along the way. He also asserted that the US's alignment with Russia and Saudi Arabia instead of its natural allies in Europe, Latin America, and Asia reduces the sense of solidarity with countries that are not China.
The Trump administration's efforts to promote fossil fuels abroad have been evident in the embedding of liquefied natural gas purchases in trade deals. However, the search results do not specify which foreign countries support these efforts. They focus more on Trump's domestic fossil fuel policy, opposition to renewable energy, and international geopolitical tensions related to energy.
Podesta believes that the Trump administration will do all they can to tilt the field towards favoring fossil fuels internationally. He also thinks that the Lightshiser case, through the voices of young people, shows in dramatic terms what taking certain actions today builds in harms tomorrow.
The Lightshiser case is different from the Juliana case because the former seeks specific remedies against direct harm that's the result of actions taken by the current administration. Podesta thinks that the future of young people is at stake in this case.
The Trump administration's second term has seen sweeping rollbacks of domestic policy aimed at fighting climate change. Podesta suggests that Trump's approach is motivated by a mix of turning clean energy into a culture-war issue, ignoring the real economics of the transition, and fealty to fossil fuel interests.
Podesta does not discuss any new aspects regarding the Trump administration's promotion of fossil fuels in bilateral relationships or multilateral fora. He also does not elaborate on any new aspects regarding the effects of the Trump administration's retreat from climate leadership on the planet or US influence.
In multilateral fora, the Trump administration shows disdain for any common action. Podesta predicts that the US's absence from leadership and revisionist role in COP30 talks in Brazil will empower countries like Saudi Arabia and Russia to water down ambition.
Podesta does not think the Trump administration will have much effect on the overall production of peer-reviewed science. He also does not discuss any new aspects regarding the Trump administration's attempts to prevent climate action or undermine consensus science in international forums.
As America retreats from climate leadership, the world looks on, and the future of our planet hangs in the balance. The role of the US in international climate policy will be crucial in the years to come, and the stakes have never been higher.
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