United States. The president of the nation, Donald Trump, signed last Tuesday, March 28, the decree of "Energy Independence" that will eliminate at least six of the main measures aimed at stopping climate change and the regulation of carbon emissions that were developed during the era of former President Obama.
This new government is betting on protecting jobs in the face of the battle against climate change, ignoring the rise in sea level and temperatures. In addition, the new decree will also eliminate the moratorium on coal mining on federal lands.
The administration insists that the Environmental Protection Agency will have to focus on two fundamental aspects: clean water and air, and that no measures will be applied that endanger the U.S. economy. "We can protect the environment while providing jobs for people," a White House official said.
Tom Steyer, leader of the activist group NextGen Climate commented on these decisions that "are an assault on American values and endanger the health, safety and prosperity of all citizens. Trump is deliberately destroying programs that create jobs and safeguards that protect our air and water, all for the sake of allowing corporate polluters to benefit at our expense."
Trip Van Noppen, president of the environmental group Earthjustice, said he will take this fight in and out of court. "This order ignores the law and scientific reality."
Source: Editorial ACR, with information from CNN.
