Trump’s environmental policies face criticism, opposition

World Today

Approaching his 100 day mark, U.S. President Donald Trump faces criticism for his actions on the environment.

He’s questioned the validity of climate change, and has made cuts to programs protecting the environment. His priority instead is jobs and the economy. But this has been met by a host of opponents.

CGTN’s Sean Callebs has the story.

While China has positioned itself as the worldwide leader in alternative energy such as wind and solar, Trump is vowing to end what he labels the “war on coal,” and restore U.S. jobs in the coal fields.

Among changes Trump has championed, he’s made it easier for coal mines to dump residue into waterways near mines saying, “I have taken historic steps to lift restrictions on American energy to reduce government intrusion.”

But perhaps the most overriding concern is the U.S. commitment to the all-important Paris Climate Agreement that former U.S. President Barack Obama signed along with scores of other nations back in 2015. China and other nations are encouraging Trump to support the measure and work to reduce greenhouse gases blamed on global warming.

In the past Trump has called climate change, “a hoax.”

Trump is supporting more offshore drilling and greater use of coal. So even if the U.S. sticks with the Paris Agreement there is doubt it can meet its mandate of reducing carbon emissions by 26 percent by the year 2025.