Trump Administration's Environmental Backtrack: A Science-Smoothing Strategy
As President-elect Donald Trump sets his sights on his second administration, environmental advocates are bracing themselves for a potential rollback of regulations on industries such as oil, gas, and petrochemicals.
Sources close to the new administration suggest that President Trump may use tactics like transparency, citizen science, and uncertainty to weaken environmental protections and write more favorable rules for industry. These efforts were first introduced during his first term and have gained traction under conservative agendas such as Project 2025.
The Environmental Data & Governance Initiative (EDGI), a non-profit organization founded by researchers to document Trump's environmental policies, has identified three key strategies that the new administration may employ:
- Blocking access to health data: By emphasizing "transparency," the administration could limit the use of private health data or licensed information. This move would make it harder for policymakers to develop regulations that protect public health.
EDGI researchers tracked how Trump's first administration changed climate language on agency websites and documented the erosion of science in policy debates.
- Giving public scrutiny a backseat: The Project 2025 agenda, authored by former EPA officials close to Trump, calls for "deputizing" the public to scrutinize EPA science. However, this may benefit industries at the cost of marginalized communities that lack access to resources and information.
EDGI interviewed agency staff who faced pressure from politics and tracked policy shifts during Trump's first administration.
- Using uncertainty to under-regulate chemicals: The Project 2025 initiative proposes rejecting precautionary approaches in favor of a "best available science" approach, which could downplay the risks posed by toxic chemicals.
For its part, EDGI is working with partners to monitor vulnerable federal web pages and datasets for potential removal or modification. However, experts warn that these efforts may be counterproductive given the administration's likely tactics.
While some speculate that Trump's next administration will employ an overt "anti-science" agenda, others believe that the language used will mask a subtle shift in environmental policy. One thing is certain: if carried out, these strategy could have profound implications for human health and the environment.
The stakes are high since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a critical role in safeguarding America's natural resources. As the Trump administration prepares to take on its new challenges, environmental advocates must remain vigilant and ensure that science-driven policies serve the public interest at all levels.
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Reporter for Alayaran.com