On September 23rd, during the United Nations General Assembly, President Trump slammed global efforts to address environmental crises and championed the use of fossil fuels, continuing a long pattern of dismissing scientific consensus on climate change.
In his speech, Trump attacked renewable energy sources, calling “windmills… pathetic” and labeling the concept of a carbon footprint “a hoax.” He warned, “If you don’t get away from the green energy scam, your country is going to fail,” while blaming energy and immigration policies for “destroying” Europe.
Despite consensus among climate scientists, Trump declared that climate change is “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.” Trump blasted the U.N.’s climate efforts, saying he withdrew America from the “fake” Paris climate accord because “America was paying so much more than every country, others weren’t paying.”
The 2015 Paris Agreement asked each country to set its own goals to lower nationwide emissions and contribute financially to countries most vulnerable to climate change. However, Trump made it clear he had no interest in supporting alternative forms of energy to decrease emissions. “I have a little standing order in the White House,” Trump said. “Never use the word ‘coal.’ Only use the words ‘clean, beautiful coal.’ Sounds much better, doesn’t it?”
Trump used his remarks to spread misinformation surrounding climate change and environmentalism, while strongly offering a marketing pitch for American fossil fuels. In dismissing climate science, Trump risked other countries following his lead and abandoning their own emission goals. Ideally, the rest of the world will seize this moment to double down on their climate pledges and sustainability plans, building momentum towards a cleaner, more resilient, and carbon-neutral future.
