Governmental policy has a huge impact on how our environments are sustained. Donald Trump had made many changes to the United States environmental policies, and many were against sustainability. The United States citizens have brought attention towards many movements, for example The Nature Conservancy, which help sustain our environment and keep it as close to its natural form as much as we possibly can. The Trump administration has been linked to roughly 74 political actions that are harmful towards environmental protection regulations. (Gross) The Clean Power Plan, which was introduced by former President Obama, was replaced by the Trump administration. The plan they introduced included weaker regulations. Weaker regulations allow for companies to increase production with less fees, or pollution tax. The industries who pollute the most have the most benefit, but those with the most harm are the citizens and the environment as the air around us becomes more contaminated every day. Revenue brought in from these industries increases GDP in the short run, but in the long run it will become a huge mess for innovators to clean up.
Changes within environmental protection regulations has been
a widespread discussion for decades now and according to the new president
elect, Joe Biden, changes will finally start to take place with his Clean
Energy Revolution. This is an important step for the American people because “our
environment and our economy are completely and totally connected.” (Biden)
According to Biden's campaign website, his new environmental protection plan
will “ensure the U.S. achieves a 100% clean energy economy and reaches net-zero
emissions no later than 2050”. (Biden) One of the ways the Biden administration
plans to do this is making a large investment towards clean energy innovation
on a large scale. Unfortunately, this will start to put certain industries out
of business, for example natural resource refineries. The American citizens demand
for energy will be shifted towards a completely different energy sector due to these
possible changes. Biden's administration plans to gather a collective of
investments valued at $5 trillion over the next 10 years. This is a large
investment compared to what the country usually spends on subsidies towards nonrenewable
resources, which ultimately means taxes will increase on federal and state
levels.
Renewable energy technology has been available to us since the
1970’s and governmental action must take place now before we deplete our
planets natural resources. 2050 is enough time for these companies to change
their ways towards renewable energy and not be forced to commit drastic layoffs,
but if it were to be a quick, drastic change towards regulations, unemployment
will become the nation’s next economic problem. Nevertheless, 30 years, according
to many environmentalist groups, is not quick enough to slow climate changes
progress. Climate change will inevitably happen naturally but using
nonrenewable resources has been linked to speed up the process. According to
Biden's campaign website, he plans to make a day one executive order to reduce emissions.
Hopefully it’s as impactful as environmentalists and scientists’ desire.
Work Cited
Gross, Samantha. “What Is the Trump Administration's Track
Record on the Environment?” Brookings, Brookings, 27 Oct. 2020, www.brookings.edu/policy2020/votervital/what-is-the-trump-administrations-track-record-on-the-environment/.
Biden, Joe. “Plan for Climate Change and Environmental
Justice: Joe Biden.” Joe Biden for President: Official Campaign Website, 29
Oct. 2020, www.joebiden.com/climate-plan/.
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