A (Mostly) Nonpartisan Analysis of Climate Change Attitudes & Policies Under Trump's Administration

By Emma Li, Grade 11

Following the climactic 2020 election season, it seems prudent to look back on the decisions made by the Trump Administration as the Biden Administration begins its four-year reign over the White House. As this is an advocacy blog centered around water conservation and, in a broader context, climate change, we will be focusing on climate change statistics and policies under the Trump Administration.

Climate change is an arena in which former President Trump and his administration were heavily criticized for his blatant disregard of scientific fact and efforts to dismantle pre-existing environmental regulations. In response to a comment from California Secretary of Resources Wade Crowfoot about “really recognizing” climate change, Trump cited cooling temperatures as his evidence against climate change’s legitimacy; “it’ll start getting cooler. You just watch… I don’t think science knows, actually.” (1) However, science does know. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has tracked the progress of climate change for nearly 30 years—since the 1990s—and quotes from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on their Global Climate Change page that the “scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is unequivocal.” (2) They also reported that “the current warming trend is of particular significance” because unlike previous temperature fluctuations caused by minor variations in the Earth’s orbit, this one is “extremely likely (greater than 95% probability) to be the result of human activity since the mid-20th century.” (2) According to Gina McCarthy, the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency and current president of the NRDC Action Fund, the Trump administration “have done everything they can to deny the science and denigrate scientists… They have really done everything humanly possible to try to convince people that what they see and feel and taste just isn't happening in front of them.” (3)

The Trump Administration was certainly a major disappointment for many scientists and climate activists hoping for stricter environmental regulations. The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University identified at least 176 “steps taken by the Trump administration and Congress to scale back or wholly eliminate federal climate mitigation and adaptation measures.” (4) Among these setbacks are the withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement in June 2017; reversal of President Obama’s executive actions on greenhouse emissions; relaxed pollution regulations on coal-run power plants, in part to try and save the failing industry; and grants of more public land for oil and gas drilling. (5) Closer to home, the Trump Administration revoked California’s authority to “set tougher car emission standards than those required by the federal government,” making it more difficult for the state to meet its goals of “reducing greenhouse emissions and improving air quality.” (5)

Despite not believing in climate change, Trump has enthusiastically boasted that his policies have significantly reduced carbon emissions. During the 2020 presidential debates, he stated that the United States had “the best, lowest number in carbon emissions… in thirty five years under [his] administration.” (6) While he is technically not wrong, his statistic is vastly out of context. The United States did have “the largest decline in energy-related carbon dioxide emissions by quantity [in 2019], but not by percentage” (1). In comparison to Germany’s 8% reduction in CO₂ emissions and Japan’s 4.3%, America’s measly 2.9% is not very impressive, especially considering that America is also the greatest CO₂ emitter per capita and largest CO₂ emitter second only to China. “What I want is the cleanest crystal-clear water, cleanest air,” Trump claimed in the same debate, but the environmental policies that rolled out under his administration didn’t reflect that. Biden, now President, hopes to revamp America’s climate change plans by suggesting an ambitious—or even, as some might argue, radical—plan to see the United States become carbon-free by 2035 in the hopes that the country might be a net zero emitter by 2050. (3) A two trillion dollar price tag and thousands of jobs precariously placed in the oil and gas sectors means Biden will face heavy opposition in this particular endeavor, but if his proposal has the chance to take flight, it could mean another step in the right direction.

(1) US election 2020: What is Trump’s record on the environment? (BBC)

(2) Global Climate Change - Evidence (NASA)

(3) US election 2020: What the results will mean for climate change (BBC)

(4) Climate Deregulation Tracker (Sabin Center for Climate Law, Columbia Law School)

(5) Climate crisis or ‘hoax’: Where Biden and Trump stand on environmental policy (Los Angeles Times)

(6) Climate crisis: Full final presidential debate video part 5 (CNN)

Cover photo from Telegraph

5 Easy Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution

By Grace Tseng, Grade 9

For decades, plastic has been produced and disposed of at alarming rates, which has been greatly detrimental to the health of marine creatures and people. Microplastic waste can be found even in the deepest trenches of our oceans and can entangle or be ingested by marine mammals. Approximately 100 million marine mammals die each year as a direct result of plastic waste(1). By the year 2050, it is projected that we will have more plastic in the ocean than we have fish(2). In addition, microplastics in the air are being inhaled by people, contributing to an array of health concerns including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and more(3). With the crisis we are currently facing, it has become increasingly important to be mindful of our plastic usage. Here are five ways you can reduce the amount of plastic waste in your day to day life.

1. Avoid purchasing single-use plastics: Though it can be convenient to have bottles of water on hand, single-use plastics make up 50% of the plastic waste in the ocean, weighing around 150 million tons(4). Instead, opt for a more sustainable alternative, such as a reusable water bottle.

2. Practice stormwater management: Microlitter pollution due to surface runoff from streets, parking lots, and roads can carry a plethora of debris into our oceans through stormwater systems and can contribute to up to 95% of litter originating from land(5). By practicing stormwater management, you can help reduce the amount of sediments and pollutants that wind up in our waterways. Planting trees to collect runoff, catching runoff with containers and disposing of it properly, and swapping artificial turf for native plants are a few simple ways you can practice mindful stormwater management(6).

3. Participate in a beach clean up: One of the easiest ways to reduce plastic pollution is to physically help remove plastics from the ocean. You can join a local organization’s cleanup event, or you can collect plastic waste on your own with your friends and family. Be on the lookout for beach clean up events hosted by Clearwater Innovation!

4. Support Bans: As of 2021, many municipalities are taking their first steps towards ending plastic waste once and for all by creating bans on single use plastics, bottles, and takeout containers. You can support these policies by signing petitions and informing your community.

5. Spread awareness!: Keep yourself informed on issues related to plastic pollution, and be sure to remind those around you of ways they can use plastic sustainably. You can begin watching and recommending plastic pollution focused documentaries, host your own beach cleanups, and encourage your friends to sign petitions to support bans.

(1) https://www.condorferries.co.uk/marine-ocean-pollution-statistics-facts#:~:text=100%20million%20marine%20animals%20die,by%20North%20Pacific%20fish%20yearly.

(2) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/01/20/by-2050-there-will-be-more-plastic-than-fish-in-the-worlds-oceans-study-says/

(3) https://www.ciel.org/project-update/plastic-and-human-health-a-lifecycle-approach-to-plastic-pollution/#:~:text=Microplastics%20entering%20the%20human%20body,outcomes%20including%20cancer%2C%20cardiovascular%20diseases%2C

(4) https://sloactive.com/plastic-pollution/#:~:text=According%20to%20Plastic%20Ocean%2C%20300,doesn't%20readily%20go%20away.

(5) https://portal.helcom.fi/meetings/PRESSURE%206-2017-431/MeetingDocuments/3-3%20Wise%20stormwater%20management%20to%20minimize%20inputs%20of%20microplastic.pdf

(6) https://www.bioadvanced.com/articles/10-ways-manage-runoff

(7) https://www.plasticbaglaws.org/

Cover Photo from Britannica

10 Simple Ways to Conserve Water

By Sidor Clare, Grade 9

Conserving water is a big deal. Water is a life-sustaining resource that is running out. It can be overwhelming to read about all the ways water is being polluted or used unwisely. Never fear— here are ten ways to conserve water in your everyday life and why they matter:

1. Fix leaky appliances. This not only conserves water, but it will also save you money.

2. Water your lawn smartly. I know this is a common tip, but it’s important. Between 30-60% of private drinking water is used on yards and gardens(1). It is best to water it before 10am, which reduces the amount of water that evaporates. Make sure your sprinklers are aimed correctly; you don’t want to water your sidewalk. Lastly, you only need to water your lawn once or twice a week with 1-1.5 inches of water per time.

3. Plant a rain garden. These gardens are meant to catch runoff from roofs, driveways, and hard surfaces. Instead of this runoff causing erosion and flooding, it can make a beautiful garden for your yard.

4. Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when you have a full load. This way, you are using less water by washing everything at once rather than doing many smaller loads that use the same amount of water. Besides saving water, this will save you money on your water bill as well.

5. Use brooms instead of hoses to clean outside areas. A broom will help loosen dirt and other things on your sidewalk, driveway, door, and window frames and may prevent the need to use water at all.

6. When washing your car, don’t run the hose. Fill a bucket with soapy water and wash the car with a rag. Only use the hose when rinsing. Even better, you could use a waterless product to clean your car. Either of these water-conserving options can save up to 100 gallons of water(2).

7. Use grey water. This is the water that drains from sinks, laundry machines, and bathtubs. Black water, which drains from toilets, isn’t usable. Anyways, you can catch grey water by placing a bucket in your shower or sink and then use that water to water plants. You could even get a grey water system installed. They reroute the water that goes down the drain and direct it into your landscape.

8. Buy less stuff. Did you know that one third of people’s water footprint is made up of consumer products? It’s surprising how much water goes into the making and transporting goods. Keep that in mind the next time you’re shopping.

9. Use the garbage disposal in your kitchen sink less. This machine uses a lot of water and adds solids to the drainage system, which can cause repair problems later on.

10. Eat more water-friendly foods. A surprising amount of water goes into our diets. Animal products, especially beef, require plenty of water. Changing your diet so you eat more plants unquestionably decreases the water footprint of the food you eat.

https://www.americanrivers.org/rivers/discover-your-river/top-10-ways-for-you-to-save-water-at-home/

https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/45-ways-to-conserve-water-in-the-home-and-yard/

https://www.earthshare.org/drought/