Doomsday Clock Warns: Trump's War on Renewable Energy Must End

Jan 29, 2026, 2:40 AM

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The Doomsday Clock has ticked forward to just 85 seconds to midnight, indicating that the world is inching closer to catastrophic events driven by nuclear threats and climate change. This alarming development was announced by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which highlighted increasing global tensions and the urgent need for meaningful action to avert disaster.

Climate change remains one of the most pressing issues contributing to the Doomsday Clock's current position. Last year, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels reached unprecedented highs, climbing to 150% above preindustrial levels. Such increases in heat-trapping gases have led to significant global temperature rises, with 2025 marking the third hottest year on record and exceeding the critical 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement for three consecutive years.

Despite these dire warnings, international efforts to transition away from fossil fuels have faltered. The recent COP30 summit highlighted the gap between ambition and action, as a proposed roadmap to phase out fossil fuels received overwhelming support but was ultimately excluded from the final agreements. This failure underscores the urgent need for countries, particularly the United States, to re-evaluate their energy policies.

Former President Donald Trump's administration has been a focal point of criticism for its stance on renewable energy. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has accused the Trump administration of declaring war on renewable energy, systematically undermining national efforts to combat climate change. Such policies have included suspending leases on offshore wind projects and aggressively promoting fossil fuel exploration, even in sensitive areas like Venezuela.

As a consequence of these actions, the US risks falling behind in the global shift towards sustainable energy sources. The UN has identified fossil fuels as the largest contributor to climate change, accounting for approximately 68% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The continued reliance on fossil fuels not only jeopardizes the planet's climate goals but also places future generations at risk of suffering from extreme weather events, droughts, and food scarcity.

However, there remains hope for reversing these trends. The Bulletin argues that if Congress can reject the previous administration's war on renewable energy and instead provide incentives for clean energy investments, significant progress could be made in reducing fossil fuel dependence. Nations worldwide are already witnessing a shift, with Europe generating more electricity from wind and solar sources than from fossil fuels for the first time in history.

The urgency of this situation is clear. Not only does the Doomsday Clock serve as a stark reminder of the risks posed by climate change and geopolitical tensions, but it also calls for immediate action. Experts stress that immediate and unprecedented changes are essential if the world hopes to limit global warming to 1.5°C, a target that remains within reach but is increasingly threatened by current policies.

In conclusion, the message from the Doomsday Clock is unequivocal: the time for action is now. Trump's administration's war on renewable energy must end, and a collective effort is needed to embrace sustainable solutions that can mitigate the impending climate crisis. Only through decisive action can humanity hope to push the hands of the clock back from the brink of disaster.

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