Green Jobs or Fossil Fuels: The Global Stakes of America‘s Climate Policy
By Hannah Goeke
Climate change has become one of the most pressing issues of our time, yet many American voters prioritize more tangible issues in the upcoming election such as the economy, crime, health care, and education. Fewer than 5% of respondents in 2023 and 2024 Gallup surveys identified climate change as the country’s most important problem.
As the world’s second biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election is not only going to affect the United States but the international community. The stark contrast between Biden’s and Trump’s approaches to climate policy will have a significant impact on whether the climate crisis can be slowed down.
For years, Trump has cast doubt on the scientific consensus that the climate crisis is real. During his presidency, Donald Trump made various moves to reduce US efforts to combat climate change. He withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, arguing that it was unfair to American businesses and workers.
Since Trump’s last presidency, the climate crisis has significantly worsened. Nevertheless, Trump continues to favor fossil fuels over green energy, encouraging fossil fuel executives to raise $1 billion for his presidential campaign because he would roll back environmental regulations and unleash oil and gas drilling.
According to Biden, renewable energy has the potential to boost the economy just as much as fossil fuels. “When I think of climate…I think of jobs,” Biden said at an event with union members just before Earth Day this year. The Biden administration has directed over $500 billion toward climate action aiming to cut the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 42% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. If Trump becomes president, it is likely that he will try to reverse some of Biden’s efforts toward a green economy.
Whether a green economy or fossil fuels will prove more lucrative to the US economy remains a controversial topic. However, it is not only the financial aspect that American voters should focus on. The world needs to move much faster than it is now to rein in the worsening effects of global warming.
Trump’s foreign policy has been centered around prioritizing American interests over international commitments. Without U.S. leadership, global climate efforts might face greater challenges as other countries could be less motivated to enhance their commitments. And this affects Americans as much as the rest of the world. Last year was the hottest on record, and the next decade will probably be even hotter, research shows. And that warming brings heat waves, storms and wildfires that displace and kill thousands of people worldwide, including Americans.