STATEMENT: Climate Action Faces a Setback with Trump’s Second Term; Momentum for Clean Energy Transition to Continue

STATEMENT: Climate Action Faces a Setback with Trump's Second Term; Momentum for Clean Energy Transition to Continue

November 6, 2024

Statement

U.S. Climate North America

WASHINGTON (November 6, 2024) - The Associated Press has declared Donald J. Trump and JD Vance the winners of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Republicans won the majority in the U.S. Senate while control of the U.S. House of Representatives is yet to be determined.

Following is a statement by Dan Lashof, U.S. Director, World Resources Institute:

"There is no denying that another Trump presidency will stall national efforts to tackle the climate crisis and protect the environment, but most U.S. state, local, and private sector leaders are fully committed to charging ahead. And you can count on a chorus of world leaders confirming that they won't turn their back on climate and nature goals.

"Donald Trump heading back to the White House won't be a death knell to the clean energy transition that has rapidly picked up pace these last four years. Both Republican-led and Democratic-led states are seeing the benefits of wind, solar, and battery manufacturing and deployment thanks to the billions of dollars of investments unleashed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. Governors and representatives in Congress on both sides of the aisle have come to recognize that clean energy is a huge moneymaker and a job creator. President Trump will face a bipartisan wall of opposition if he attempts to rip away clean energy incentives now.

"From Appalachia to the Gulf Coast to the Mountain West, Americans are reeling from devastating climate-fueled disasters. Turning a blind eye to the climate crisis that is costing billions of dollars in damage and killing hundreds of people would be irresponsible and immoral. Polls show most Americans want the federal government to take action to address climate change and protect the air we breathe and the water we drink. President Trump has a responsibility to heed their calls with not just rhetoric, but real policies that improve Americans' lives.

"Trump has every reason to build on transformations already underway. Electrifying buildings and transportation - including school buses - benefits rural and urban communities alike by cutting costs and improving efficiency. At the same time, America's croplands, wetlands and forests desperately need more investments to protect them from intensifying wildfires, droughts and flooding.

"While President Trump may retreat, leaders from states, cities, businesses and elsewhere will eagerly step into the breach to take forward ambitious climate action. Thanks to the generous tax incentives and investments from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, subnational actors have more resources than ever to cut emissions, expand clean energy and electric transportation and address environmental injustices.

"There are important bipartisan opportunities to advance climate action that must be seized upon. For instance, leaders on both sides of the aisle support climate-smart trade policies and harnessing the power of geothermal energy. And there is bipartisan and business support for decarbonizing heavy industry and investing in international supply chains to keep the U.S. competitive and secure. These actions would be a win for U.S. manufacturing, national security and the climate.

"Global support for addressing the climate crisis has grown significantly since Donald Trump first took office. Country leaders know that reducing emissions and supercharging clean energy growth strengthens their economies and competitiveness. That's why China has invested heavily in wind, solar and battery manufacturing at home, and supply chains and markets abroad. If Donald Trump pulls out of the Paris Agreement again, it would simply diminish the United States' influence and give other countries a leg up in the booming clean energy economy.

"One can only hope that Donald Trump will put conspiracy theories to the side and take the decisive action to address the climate crisis that the American people deserve. But I won't hold my breath, and neither will the global community nor U.S. state and local leaders. We are moving forward."