"Drill, baby, drill": Trump's Presidency and the Environment
- luanniewang
- Mar 8, 2025
- 2 min read
This post contains political content.
President Trump’s second term has undoubtedly been a topic of debate and emotion. Recent U.S. government actions threaten the environment and climate, canceling the hard work of previous policy-makers. Trump famously promotes his energy policies with the motto, “Drill, baby, drill.” This saying supports increased drilling for petroleum and gas as sources of energy, in turn supporting large-scale, irreversible damage to the natural environment. In this post, I’ll be discussing some of Trump’s policy changes but also how we can stand up for our planet!
Recent US Environmental Moves
Increased Fossil Fuel Exploration: There has been a push to open up more federal lands and oceans to oil and gas drilling – including those that had been protected.
Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement: On January 20, 2025, Trump issued Executive Order 14162, withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.This places our country on the sidelines of the world's effort to address climate change and undermines international cooperation to combat climate change.
Freezing Climate Project Funds: EPA and Citibank are being sued by Climate United for illegally freezing $7 billion in federal climate and housing project funds, which has slowed work on critical environmental projects.
Dropping Environmental Justice Cases: The administration dropped a significant lawsuit against the Denka Performance Elastomer factory in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley," a majority-Black community with cancer threats from poisons. The action is part of an overall effort to roll back environmental justice actions.
Weakening Support for Scientific Research: The funding of the National Institutes of Health has been halted, and there have been mass layoffs at federal science agencies, such as the EPA.
Fighting Back
Support Environmental Organizations: Groups like Climate United are right now battling destructive policies in the courts. Supporting such groups boosts their impact.
Participate in Protests and Public Demonstrations: Joining marches and rallies is a show of public opposition to destructive environmental policy.
Participate in the Political Process: Voting representatives who care about the environment and holding elected officials accountable can create policy change locally, statewide, and nationally.
Educate and Raise Awareness: Posting about the ecological consequences of policies we are experiencing today stimulates other people to step up and help bring change about. Do it through social media or even take part in community movements!
Though the actions of President Trump and the U.S. government are frustrating, upsetting, and worrisome, we must remember that the government is meant to serve, protect, and speak for the people. We can and must fight for our environment, and we are! Just yesterday, protestors nationwide rallied against policy changes affecting scientific research in the Stand up For Science event. THERE IS HOPE, BUT WE MUST UNITE!
How are you feeling about the U.S. and the environment? Me too. Reach out to me at luanniewang@gmail.com, and Stay Sustainable!
