- cross-posted to:
- climate@slrpnk.net
- cross-posted to:
- climate@slrpnk.net
Former UN climate chief warns of global impact of a possible regression in US green policies
Victory forĀ Donald TrumpĀ in the US presidential election this year could put the worldās climate goals at risk, a former UN climate chief has said.
The chances of limiting global heating to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels areĀ already slim, and Trumpās antipathy to climate action would have a major impact on the US, which is the worldās second biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and biggest oil and gas exporter, said Patricia Espinosa, who served as theĀ UNās top official on the climateĀ from 2016 to 2022.
āI worry [about the potential election of Trump] because it would have very strong consequences, if we see a regression regarding climate policies in the US,ā Espinosa said.
Although Trumpās policy plans are not lear,Ā conversations with his circleĀ have created a worrying picture that could include the cancellation of Joe Bidenās groundbreaking climate legislation, withdrawal from the Paris agreement and a push for more drilling for oil and gas.
It doesnāt matter if Trump wins or Biden wins or heck if even Kennedy wins. The climate change has already reached the no turning back point. We are no longer dealing with scenarios trying to get things back to a natural curve. Weāre now trying to figure out how to deal with some vs lots of consequences.
The time to care was a long time ago. Now is the time to figure out how to live with the consequences of others inaction.
As usual XKCD has one of the better infographics on the subject.