As much as we might wish otherwise, climate change isn’t some far-off problem — it’s happening right now, and its effects are endangering communities across the country. From record-breaking heatwaves to devastating wildfires and stronger hurricanes, we’re seeing the consequences of a warming planet every day. Yet, instead of taking action to protect our environment and our future, the Trump administration actively rolled back critical climate protections, prioritizing polluters over people.
If you’re feeling frustrated about any or all of this, you’re not alone. The good news? There’s still time to fight back. This article breaks down climate change Trump administration policies, explains how they impact all Americans, and gives you ways to take action — because our planet and our future depend on it.
Facts About the Climate Crisis
Every year, Earth Day reminds us of our responsibility to protect our planet. The need for this is more crucial than ever, as we are now experiencing not just climate change but a climate crisis. According to NASA, global temperatures have risen by about two degrees Fahrenheit (one degree Celsius) since the late 19th century, largely due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
The consequences are devastating: rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss threaten communities worldwide. Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a crisis impacting the public health, food security, and economic stability of the entire human race.
How the Trump Administration Is Harming Our Climate and Environment
The Trump administration systematically dismantled climate protections that also protected people. Some of its most damaging actions are included below.
Withdrawal From the Paris Climate Agreement
Trump announced the US departure from the international Paris Accord designed to limit global greenhouse gas emissions, weakening overall efforts to combat climate change.
False Statements About Climate Change
The Trump administration report on climate change falsely states that the Paris Accord and policies like it “steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people.”
The stark truth is that mitigating the climate crisis for an entire planet is in the interests of everyone on it, and it’s only fair that the biggest and wealthiest contributors to the crisis should make the greatest investments to correct it. The fact is that the US is:
- The second-largest polluter on the planet (after China)
- The single biggest polluter among all wealthy nations
- The wealthiest nation in the world in terms of net worth
- Among the top 10 wealthiest nations in the world by all other measurements
Rollback of the Clean Power Plan
The administration replaced the Obama-era plan with a weaker alternative, allowing more pollution from coal-fired power plants.
Deregulation of Methane Emissions
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, was deregulated, allowing oil and gas companies to release more emissions into the atmosphere.
Cuts to Renewable Energy Research
Federal funding for clean energy programs was slashed, hindering progress in wind, solar, and battery technology.
Opening Public Lands to Fossil Fuel Drilling
Protections for national parks, wildlife refuges, and offshore waters were reduced to expand fossil fuel extraction.
Elimination of Climate Considerations in Infrastructure Planning
The administration’s infrastructure plan ignored climate resilience, failing to prepare communities for future climate disasters.
Weakened Auto Emissions Standards
The administration rolled back fuel efficiency standards, allowing cars to emit more pollution over their lifetimes. This is significant given that the transportation sector is the single greatest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the US.
How this Administration Is Harming People
Climate change is not just about distant melting glaciers — it directly threatens human lives everywhere, particularly in marginalized và low-income communities in geographically vulnerable areas. Trump’s policies worsened the following issues:
- Increased air and water pollution. Loosened regulations on pollutants have led to higher asthma rates, respiratory illnesses, and contaminated drinking water, disproportionately harming communities of color and low-income families.
- Greater exposure to extreme weather events. The rollback of climate preparedness measures leaves communities more vulnerable to hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, which have become more frequent and intense due to climate change. These often cause sustained power outages that make it even more difficult to withstand or recover from natural disasters.
- Economic harm to workers and farmers. The clean energy sector has been proven to create jobs — more in Republican-led regions than elsewhere, in fact — thereby improving individual American financial security. Reduced support for renewable energy has cost jobs in the green energy sector, while extreme weather events have devastated farms and food supply chains.
- Health hazards from rising temperatures. Heatwaves kill thousands of people annually. Lower-income groups are often at greater risk because they are less likely to have access to cooling resources like air conditioning, green spaces, and shade trees, and are also less likely to receive adequate insurance coverage for medical emergencies. Reduced environmental protections make these events even deadlier for everyone, but most of all those experiencing financial and housing insecurity.
- Weakened leadership on climate solutions for everyone. By reversing climate commitments, the US lost credibility in international climate negotiations, slowing global progress on addressing the crisis and exacerbating its effects not just on foreign citizens, but on vulnerable Americans.
How You Can Fight Back: Exercise Your Right to Protect Your Community and the Planet
The damage caused by the Trump administration’s policies is not irreversible — but it requires action. Here’s what you can do:
- Support climate-conscious policies at every level possible. Vote for leaders who prioritize climate action and push for policies that invest in renewable energy, emissions reductions, and climate resilience. The presidential election might be over for now, but there’s still plenty of climate-related voting to do at state and community levels.
- Combat misinformation. Debunk misconceptions about the realities of climate change and educate others on the facts.
- Reduce your carbon footprint. Use public transportation, drive fuel-efficient vehicles, reduce meat consumption, and support clean energy initiatives.
- Hold corporations accountable. Urge businesses to adopt sustainable practices and divest from fossil fuels.
- Get involved with climate-conscious nonprofits. Michigan Đoàn kết, as one example, is dedicated to advocating for environmental justice and policies that protect both people and the planet. By joining their efforts, you can help push for meaningful climate action at the local and state level.
The climate crisis negatively impacts everyone, but by taking action, we can push back against harmful policies and create a sustainable future for generations to come. Now is the time to fight for our planet — and for each other.
Fight for Your Rights and Your Planet With Michigan United
Michigan United is a broad, statewide coalition working to reform our broken healthcare and immigration systems, protect our environment, end mass incarceration, and make essential services accessible to all.
We are at a critical moment in our nation’s history as we prepare to confront the troubling realities of our political climate and Trump’s executive orders. Our democracy and basic rights are under siege. If you’re wondering what you can do, Michigan United is here for you. We have campaigns in place to protect Michiganders from all forms of injustice, which means you can make a difference in all the areas that matter to you, right here, all in one place.
The Trump administration is attacking everything we care about. We’re working to build a home for Michiganders. We are a hub for people-centered leadership development, issue organizing, and civic power-building. We are movement builders.
Ready to do something now? Join us by becoming a member, volunteering with us, or getting involved with one of our projects. Start driving the reality of change today!
