Full Breakdown
Economists Urge Global Action Against Trump's Environmental Rollbacks
8/20/2025, 8:18:39 PM
Call to Action from Economists
Three prominent American economists—Catherine L. Kling, Stephen Polasky, and Kathleen Segerson—have issued a strong appeal for their global colleagues to resist the environmental policy rollbacks initiated by former President Donald Trump. In an article published in the journal *Environmental and Resource Economics*, they argue that these rollbacks contradict fundamental economic principles aimed at the efficient allocation of limited resources for societal benefit. They contend that the Trump administration's focus on dismantling environmental protections is likely to reduce economic efficiency, posing risks not only to Americans but also to the global community.
Key Policy Reversals
The economists highlight several significant reversals of environmental policies under Trump, including:
- Withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement.
- Exclusion of climate-related public welfare considerations from federal policy.
- Executive orders promoting fossil fuel production.
- Cessation of funding for climate and environmental research.
- Decreased regulatory efforts to address lead and harmful chemicals in drinking water.
They emphasize that these actions undermine the scientific basis for effective environmental policy and call for economists to advocate for sound science and unbiased information to counteract this erosion.
Impact on Environmental Groups
The Trump administration's policies have severely strained U.S. environmental organizations, leading to financial crises and internal divisions. Established groups like Greenpeace and the Sierra Club are facing lawsuits and layoffs, while newer organizations such as Rewiring America have lost federal funding. As a result, many groups are shifting their focus to state and international advocacy to preserve climate progress in the face of federal inaction.
Ruthy Gourevitch, policy director at the Climate and Community Institute, noted, “With one election and one bill, most of the signature climate work that organizations, advocates, and movements have been working toward is largely undone.” This weakening of environmental organizations could potentially benefit fossil fuel interests at a time when scientists warn that urgent action is needed to limit global warming.
Legal and Regulatory Challenges
Attorneys general from several states, including California, have urged the Trump administration to abandon plans to rescind the EPA's endangerment finding, which serves as the legal foundation for federal greenhouse gas regulations. California Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the proposal as unlawful and scientifically unsound, arguing that it undermines decades of regulatory progress aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
The Trump administration's deregulatory agenda has also raised concerns among businesses, which fear that the removal of federal standards could lead to increased legal risks and chaos in the regulatory environment. Environmental advocates argue that the rollback of these regulations contradicts a long-standing scientific consensus on the dangers posed by climate pollution.
Conclusion
As the Trump administration continues to dismantle environmental protections, the call from economists for a unified response highlights the urgent need for effective advocacy and policy-making. The implications of these rollbacks extend beyond the U.S., affecting global efforts to combat climate change and protect public health. The economists' plea serves as a reminder of the critical role that sound environmental policy plays in ensuring a sustainable future for all.
