Trump's Risky Fossil Fuel Power Play: An International Edition
In Pakistan, on April 10—amidst a striking shift in policies presented as a resurgence of American power—President Donald Trump reintroduced himself into politics through an executive order aimed at reopening the nation’s extensive deposits of coal and petroleum. Using passionate speeches laced with populism, he initiated a drive emphasizing slogans such as “Drill, Baby, Drill” along with a romanticized reference to “clean beautiful coal.” This move was intended to uplift beleaguered coal regions and promise renewed industry growth; however, it simultaneously issued a stark warning to climate researchers, supporters of renewable energies, and worldwide ecological alliances—the U.S. appears ready to prioritize profits and political benefits over planetary health. Trump's declaration marks a complete withdrawal from America’s pledges within the framework of the Paris Climate Accord and related international agreements such as those discussed during COP meetings. By reinstating coal extraction activities and swiftly approving new oil drilling permits, he directly undermines progress achieved environmentally over recent years. Although he claims these steps will generate jobs and stimulate economic recovery, they actually represent merely temporary solutions leading to severe long-term impacts.
No matter how “beautiful” or technologically advanced, coal continues to be one of the most polluting energy sources on our planet. The concept of “clean coal” is mostly an illusion; current carbon capture technologies are costly, have restricted scalability, and cannot completely mitigate the ecological harm inflicted by both extracting and combusting coal. As stated by the World Health Organization, air contamination from fossil fuels leads to over seven million early fatalities each year, with coal playing a significant role. Additionally, coal-powered facilities contribute to more than forty percent of worldwide CO2 emissions.
Trump framed his energy pivot as a necessity in the age of artificial intelligence and rising power demands. He claimed solar and wind cannot keep up, and thus, coal and nuclear must take center stage. This argument ignores the rapid advancements in battery storage, smart grids, and the plunging costs of renewable infrastructure. The International Energy (IEA) projects that by 2030, renewables will make up nearly 50% of global electricity generation-far outpacing coal. In the U.S., the solar and wind energy workforce already surpasses that of the coal sector, offering safer and more sustainable employment.
Revitalizing the coal industry under the pretense of national security and energy independence is deceptive—and utterly reckless. This stance overlooks the genuine threats posed by rapid climate change, such as increasing sea levels and severe weather phenomena. Trump’s casual remark suggesting that seas might rise “just a quarter of an inch in half a millennium” is both factually incorrect and woefully negligent when considering the escalating ecological crisis. According to reports from NASA and NOAA, global sea levels have surged more than three inches just since 1993.
In his address, Trump juxtaposed coal miners against "extreme environmentalists," portraying those advocating for climate action as out-of-touch elite technocrats who lack connection with the working class. Although it’s accurate that shifts towards renewable energy haven’t always been fair, addressing this issue requires well-organized reskilling initiatives, funding for environmentally friendly job opportunities, and supportive measures during transition—not by reinforcing old, harmful industrial practices.
The celebration of coal mining as part of cultural heritage overlooks the severe impact it has on both workers and nearby populations. Issues such as black lung illness and polluted water illustrate that the health consequences associated with coal significantly surpass its financial advantages. On the contrary, employment opportunities in renewable energies like solar and wind power are considerably less hazardous and have been expanding at almost double the pace of positions within the fossil fuel sector, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows.
Alongside coal and oil, Trump is advocating for quicker approval processes for nuclear plants. Although nuclear power generates minimal carbon emissions, it carries significant dangers such as managing radioactive waste, ensuring safety from potential threats, and dealing with extremely high construction expenses. He has indicated his intention to utilize the Defense Production Act to accelerate various energy initiatives—including nuclear ones—which demonstrates a readiness to bypass standard regulatory protections in favor of rapidity and dramatic effect.
Trump has contended that wind and solar power sources are inconsistent, citing instances of blackouts in places such as California. However, these outages frequently result from obsolete grid systems and inadequate preparation rather than issues inherent to renewable technologies. Rather than reverting back to coal due to these concerns, resources ought to be directed towards updating the electrical grid and effectively incorporating renewables through advanced storage methods.
The President’s claim about unleashing America's richest untapped oil deposits—which were deliberately kept untouched as a key resource for future stability—shows a narrow-minded strategy for leadership. These reserves were safeguarded to ensure energy safety amid worldwide unrest. Employing them at present to control market prices or briefly reduce fuel expenses is similar to liquidating valuable family possessions to cover a single month’s expense.
Trump’s reasoning hinges on the idea that America's assets ought to be utilized for enhancing U.S. well-being. However, this approach erodes the international collaboration essential for addressing climate issues. Given its status as one of the biggest emitters globally, the United States bears an ethical duty to spearhead efforts toward reducing carbon emissions rather than instigating a worldwide shift towards greater reliance on fossil fuels.
In my trips to China in 2013 and during my extended stay from 2020 to 2024, I witnessed first-hand the nation’s rapid progress toward reducing dependency on coal and fossil fuels. Known previously for significant environmental damage, China has emerged as a world leader in investing in clean energy, committing more than $890 billion towards renewables between 2010 and 2023. As reported by the IEA, China was responsible for almost half of all new global renewable power installations in 2023. The country is swiftly expanding its capacity for solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear energy, aiming to reach peak emissions prior to 2030 and attain carbon neutrality by 2060. In stark contrast to the retrogressive stance taken under Trump's administration, China’s shift focuses not just on fulfilling international climate agreements but also on delivering cleaner air, lessening reliance on foreign fuel sources, and generating numerous eco-friendly job opportunities. This divergence highlights how the U.S. might lag behind in the ongoing clean energy transformation.
Trump's executive orders-ending federal discrimination against coal, protecting existing coal plants, securing the power grid, and challenging state-level environmental laws-are calculated to make his energy policies "stick" beyond his tenure. But these orders also risk binding future administrations to a regressive path that ignores science, global consensus, and the demands of a younger, climate-conscious electorate.
Today’s applause from coal miners might transform into calls for environmental justice tomorrow. The United States possesses the means, labor force, and technological capabilities to spearhead the clean energy transformation. Abandoning this opportunity would be more than poor governance—it would be a disregard for coming generations.
The individual previously served as a press secretary to the president, held the position of press minister at the Pakistani embassy in France, and was formerly the managing director of SRBC.
