The future of the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] is necessary to the well-being of not only the United States but to the longevity of our planet. In my previous article, I mentioned just a few of the many roles that the EPA plays in terms of environmental policy. This article will focus on how our worst nightmare can truly become a reality. Some moves made by the administration already give us a glimpse of this reality. On the White House page, under the issues section, there is minimal mention of climate change or the EPA. The issues that would have been addressed under climate change have now been consolidated under the energy section. On the said page, the majority of the conversation is less about climate change and more on fossil fuel energy. This was the updated content as of day one of President Trump’s administration. Within two days of his first full week as President, he made decisions that could have devastating effects in the long run and hurt future generations living on our planet.
One of the first major moves that Donald Trump made was by sending an email to freeze all grants and contracts within the EPA. This prevents the agency from doing any of its core responsibilities. Grants mainly benefit people within the field of research such as scientists and universities. Without them, much of the research that is used to advance better climate change policies would be halted. What made the situation even more alarming was President Trump's signing of an allowance for the Keystone Pipeline to be built. With a nominee like Scott Pruitt--whom I discussed in my last article--the administration is signaling a very dangerous policy agenda for the next four years.
The major moves against environmental protection policies indicate that the EPA would play a less prominent role in the Trump administration. This means that when certain policies are discussed the EPA would either be less likely to be on the table or would have minimal power to influence. This is dangerous for when the administration discusses the future of energy in our country. Rather than focus on climate change and innovative ways of creating clean energy, the administration would instead focus on fossil fuels, going for the short term gains of creating jobs without realizing that those decisions could ultimately damage the planet for future generations. This vision is great for when he decides to run for office again in 2020, the year he would be up for reelection. He is, however, considering his own self-interest because he wants to be "the greatest jobs president" and create many jobs as promised in his 2016 campaign. If he wants to up for a second term, he needs to fulfill that promise. The promise is a great one, but the way he wants to fulfill it is very alarming. I, therefore, urge the administration and members of Congress to weigh the long-term effects against the short-term benefits of decisions like building the Keystone Pipeline. With proper discussion and research on the issue, I would hope that the political leaders in Washington would make the necessary decisions that would prolong the life of our beautiful planet.The current decisions made by this administration has weakened theEnvironmental Protection Agency, but a weaker EPA leads to a much weaker planet--an agenda that is not in the best interest of the American people.
