In a provocative speech at the United Nations General Assembly, US President Donald Trump referred to climate change as "the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world" and criticized the scientific community for making wrong predictions.
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pbs.orgcnrs.frHis comments, delivered amid a backdrop of increasing climate-related disasters worldwide, sparked outrage among various leaders and climate activists who argue that urgent action is necessary to address the escalating crisis.
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pbs.orgTrump's speech, characterized by inflammatory rhetoric, included statements that renewable energy sources like wind power are "joke" and "pathetic." He claimed these energy sources are ineffective and too costly, directly contradicting recent reports indicating that solar and wind power have become the least expensive options for new electricity generation.
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pbs.orgAccording to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the three cheapest sources of electricity globally are onshore wind, solar panels, and hydropower.
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pbs.orgIn his address, Trump also criticized the United Nations' climate efforts and reiterated his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, labeling it a "fake" accord where the US disproportionately bore the financial burden.
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pbs.orgThis claim overlooks the voluntary nature of the Paris Agreement, which requires countries to set their own goals for reducing emissions while providing support to those most affected by climate change.
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pbs.orgcnrs.frThe impact of Trump's remarks was felt globally, particularly among leaders from vulnerable nations.Ilana Seid, an ambassador from the island nation of Palau, expressed disappointment, stating that not acting on climate change would betray the most vulnerable communities.
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pbs.orgEvans Davie Njewa from Malawi echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the dangers posed to innocent lives by climate inaction.
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pbs.orgClimate scientists responded to Trump's assertions by reiterating the reality of climate change, which has been documented since the Industrial Revolution.
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cnrs.frCurrent temperature increases of approximately 1.2°C since the late 19th century have been linked to human activity, with effects such as increased frequency of heatwaves, floods, and rising sea levels becoming increasingly evident.
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cnrs.frAdelle Thomas, a vice chair of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, shared her personal experiences with the devastating impacts of climate disasters, highlighting the need for immediate action.
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pbs.orgIn addition to his dismissal of climate science, Trump made misleading claims regarding the economic viability of renewable energy.He asserted that electricity prices in Europe are "two to three times higher" than in the US, while data from the US Energy Information Administration shows that retail electricity prices in the US have risen faster than inflation since 2022.
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pbs.orgTrump also dismissed coal's environmental impact, coining the phrase "clean, beautiful coal," despite overwhelming evidence that coal contributes significantly to air pollution and health hazards.
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pbs.orgExperts have noted that the president's attempts to rebrand coal do not align with the realities of its detrimental effects on public health.
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pbs.orgThe debate surrounding agricultural methane emissions also featured in Trump's address, where he suggested radical environmentalists aimed to eliminate cows altogether.
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pbs.orgIn reality, experts advocate for cutting methane emissions, which are significantly contributed by livestock, as a means to slow down global warming.
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iatp.orgHowever, no credible voices in the environmental community are calling for a complete cessation of cattle farming.
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pbs.orgiatp.orgAs climate-related disasters continue to threaten communities worldwide, Trump's comments have drawn sharp criticism for undermining the urgent need for comprehensive climate action.
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pbs.orgWith scientific consensus affirming the reality of climate change, the global community faces a critical juncture in addressing its impacts and transitioning to sustainable energy sources.
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cnrs.friatp.orgThe president's rhetoric at the UN highlights a growing divide between political discourse and scientific reality, raising concerns about the future direction of US climate policy as the nation grapples with the consequences of climate change.
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cnn.comcontext.newsThe urgency of the climate crisis demands a unified response, and many are calling for leaders to prioritize action over denial in the face of overwhelming evidence.
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cnrs.friatp.orgAs the world watches, the implications of Trump's dismissal of climate science may reverberate far beyond the US, influencing international climate negotiations and efforts to combat global warming in the coming years.
