It is often guessed that Donald Trump's recent election as the next U.S. president signals a potential shift in many areas of public policy, such as climate change. Understanding his proposed environmental policies and their implications is essential, at least for teenagers, since they give a signal toward the future direction of climate-related actions in the U.S.
Throughout his earlier presidency, from 2017 to 2021, Trump took several crucial steps concerning climate policy. Among those are the withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement. But what is the Paris Climate Agreement?
It is a treaty about climate change that was signed in 2016. It aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C (35.6°F) above the pre-industrial level. He also rolled back many environmental protections and promoted industries related to fossil fuels. His recent campaign has indicated that he might continue these policies, which could directly impact climate efforts globally and domestically.
Environmental Policy During Trump’s Previous Term
Trump has long put economic growth ahead of environmental regulation, which tends to mean lighter regulations on industries that contribute to climate change. The Trump administration previously focused on deregulation, which included rolling back vehicle and power plant emissions standards in the name of job creation and lowering business expenses.
The United States' greenhouse gas emissions crept up during his time in office, as critics cite policy moves that they say favored coal and oil industries over renewable energy.

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Under the Joe Biden administration, climate change policy took a dramatic turn toward aggressive action. Biden re-entered the Paris Climate Agreement on his first day in office, signaling renewed U.S. commitment to global climate leadership.
His administration set ambitious goals, such as reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and decarbonizing the power sector by 2035. Initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provided billions of dollars in funding for clean energy projects and tax credits for the adoption of renewable energy, significantly ramping up the nation's transition to a greener economy.
“The Biden administration’s most important climate action to date was signing the Inflation Reduction Act into law in August 2022, the most comprehensive climate legislation the U.S. has even seen,” (Lashof, 2024).
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Teen Perspectives on Renewable Energy Under Trump
Teens, many of whom actively engage in supporting alternative forms of energy, may have questions about the Trump doctrine and its implications on how renewables-like wind and solar energy, are integrated into society. In his final debate against Joe Biden in 2020, Trump claimed that wind turbines were responsible for harming wildlife and lowering property values.
"I know more about wind than you do," Mr. Trump told Biden when moderator Kristen Welker turned to the topic of climate change. "It's extremely expensive. Kills all the birds. It's very intermittent. Got a lot of problems."
Given these views and policies, teenagers who are passionate about renewable energy might be concerned about the future of clean energy innovation under Trump's leadership. Federal funding of renewable energy projects fell under his presidency, given the strong subsidies received by fossil fuel industries. Despite these policies, renewable energy's share of U.S. electricity generation continued to increase, hitting 21% in 2021 mostly because of market forces and state programs. Yet, further federal support may be crucial for reaching ambitious climate objectives.
Revisiting the Paris Climate Agreement
One of the most globally significant moves that might be revisited, going back, is his withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. The agreement, adopted by 196 countries, aims to prevent global warming above 2°C (35.6°F) from pre-industrial levels. Under Trump's leadership, the U.S. became the only country that pulled out of the pact, which he justified as unfair to American industries due to its economic burdens. A renewed exit would reduce the U.S. role in global climate leadership and set back collective action on the climate.
President Trump announced on Thursday that the United States would withdraw from the Paris climate accord, weakening efforts to combat global warming and embracing isolationist voices in his White House who argued that the agreement was a pernicious threat to the economy and American sovereignty, (Shear, 2017).
Teenagers and the Potential Impact of Federal Climate Policy
Teenagers have been on the front lines of climate activism, as movements like Fridays for Future have gained steam worldwide. Now, for the first real time, a sea change in federal climate policy might affect young people's efforts.
According to polls, younger Americans are far more likely to consider climate change a priority issue: 70% of those aged 18–29 favored aggressive climate policies. And if Trump slashes federal funding for climate science education or clean-energy initiatives, teens may see fewer resources and opportunities to get involved with climate solutions in their schools or their communities.

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The Future of Climate Action Under Trump’s Presidency
The return of Trump's presidency brings challenges and uncertainties in the fight against climate change, as teenagers stand to inherit the long-term consequences of today's decisions. While state and local governments can soften some of the federal setbacks, along with private sectors, a consistent approach at the national level is crucial for meeting the pressing demands of the climate emergency. The young generation's protests and actions, enhanced by grassroots movements, continue to be a powerful force for meaningful change.