We must shift away from a culture of politically motivated climate change denialism to an acceptance of the truly existential threat now facing humanity
It’s been a bad couple of weeks for the world’s climate and environment. The inauguration of billionaire property developer and reality TV star Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States has presaged a new Dark Age of climate politics.
In an opening fortnight of controversial executive orders, President Trump has decreed the expansion of major fossil fuel developments including the controversial Keystone XL and Dakota Access oil pipelines, and the neutering of long-standing environmental protections. In addition, he and his leadership team have made it plain they intend to dismantle many of the Obama administration’s climate initiatives and withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. All this runs in direct counterpoint to the rapid decarbonisation required to avoid dangerous climate change.
Related: Turnbull’s new climate and energy adviser worked for coal industry lobby group
Related: How Malcolm Turnbull could ignore the facts and fund the myth of ‘clean’ coal