3 of Trump’s most important climate executive orders

On the heels of the hottest year in history, one that brought the planet to a dangerous temperature threshold, President Trump effectively told the world on Monday that the United States was out of the climate fight.

Hours after his inauguration, Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at dismantling Joe Biden’s climate and clean energy agenda. The orders result in dozens of actions, including eliminating programs aimed at protecting communities disproportionately affected by pollution and demanding an end to protections for a small California fish that Trump blames on water shortages in the State.

Trump also announced a national energy “emergency” that could unlock authority to suspend environmental regulations and expedite permitting for mines, drilling, pipelines and natural gas export terminals.

Collectively, the executive orders put the United States on a path to increased coal, oil and gas production at a time when scientists say governments must quickly move away from fossil fuels, whose burning heat dangerously the planet.

But Trump can only do so much with the stroke of a pen. Most of his orders will require federal agencies to repeal regulations, a process that takes time. Environmental groups are also expected to file lawsuits, which could slow or stop part of Trump’s agenda.

However, here are three major orders that could have considerable consequences.

Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement

Trump announced yesterday that the United States would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, the agreement reached among nearly all nations to combat climate change. His decision reinforces what most of the world already knew: America is an unreliable partner on climate change.