environment & climate
The United States plays a major role in global environmental efforts and has a long history of evolving environmental and climate-related policies.
general notes
one of the most significant emitters of greenhouse gases globally
U.S. emissions per person are among the largest in the world
20% of global total of carbon dioxide emissions alone
U.S. has warmed up 1.4°C since 1970
2010–2019 was the hottest decade on record
2024: $1 billion in damages from 27 separate weather disasters
climate change has become a controversial issue
U.S. ratified the Paris Agreement (despite temporarily withdrawing under Trump)
has not ratified nor withdrawn from the Kyoto Protocol
a global deal to fight climate change by cutting emissions
history of environmental thought
Progressive Era (20th century): early shift away from laissez-faire land use policies
laissez-faire: belief that private property owners could do as they wished
conservationists, led by President Theodore Roosevelt, argued for long-term, expert-driven use of resources to maximize economic benefit
environmentalism, led by John Muir, argued nature is sacred and humans should not develop it
Muir founded the Sierra Club (still active in all 50 states), supported limited tourism (e.g., hiking), and opposed cars in national parks
organization that advocates for conservation and climate action
presidential administrations
Clinton administation (1993-2001)
1993: Climate Change Action Plan, 44 voluntary industry steps
proposed a British Thermal Tax on fuel producers, opposed by energy industry, not implemented
signed Kyoto Protocol (1997) committing to 7% reduction (non-binding)
FY2000 budget: funded Clean Air Partnership Fund, tax incentives, and environmental research
global climate treaty that failed due to limited participation, replaced by Paris Agreement
George W. Bush administration (2001-2009)
rejected Kyoto Protocol in 2001, claimed it hurt the economy and unfairly exempted developing countries
proposed 18% reduction in greenhouse gases over 10 years with tax credits for renewables
accused of spreading disinformation about climate change
undermined state-level climate actions
transportation secretary Mary Peters tried to block California's vehicle emissions standards
Obama administration (2009-2017)
New Energy for America plan invested in renewable energy and proposed cap-and-trade
2009: American Clean Energy and Security Act passed in House, failed in Senate
created Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy (later merged with another office)
2012: proposed new rules for power plants
Clean Power Plan (not fully implemented)
2015: Clean Transportation Plan incentivized lower oil dependency
Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) passed, but climate components failed in the House
limits emissions and lets companies buy/sell pollution permits
Trump administration (2017-2021)
rolled back Obama-era environmental regulations
withdrew from the Paris Agreement
appointed climate change skeptic Scott Pruitt to head the EPA (resigned amid ethics scandals)
replaced him with Andrew Wheeler, former coal lobbyist
boosted coal and oil industries, called for review of Clean Power Plan
tried to cut EPA’s budget by 31%, Congress blocked
ordered removal of climate change info from EPA website
Biden administration (2021-2025)
rejoined the Paris Agreement
approved the Willow oil project but paused Arctic Wildlife Refuge oil and gas leases
temporarily suspended new natural gas export terminal approvals
West Virginia v. EPA (2022) ruling limited EPA’s ability to regulate emissions
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (largest U.S. public transit investment, limited climate impact)
Inflation Reduction Act: largest climate investment in U.S. history ($400 billion, mostly tax credits), includes federal land requirements
party views
democrats, in general....
view climate change as a defining challenge
support pricing carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases to reflect negative externalities
back standards like the Clean Power Plan
emphasize environmental justice
recognize disproportionate impact on low-income and minority communities
republicans, in general....
have varied positions
most recent party platform denies climate change exists
support market-based solutions instead of regulation