Trump ends Obama climate finding, China logs emissions
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- Trump and EPA head Lee Zeldin announced the elimination of the Obama-era endangerment finding that underpins federal climate regulations.
- U.S. experienced 23 extreme weather disasters last year costing >$1bn each, total loss $115bn, with scientists warning we are close to an irreversible warming point.
- Trump claimed deregulation would save Americans $1.3tn, but provided no evidence.
- Sheldon Whitehouse called the decision “corruption, plain and simple”.
- China recorded its 21st month of flat or slightly falling carbon emissions while extending carbon reporting requirements.
- Carbon Brief noted China's carbon intensity decline fell below its five‑year plan target, jeopardizing its Paris agreement commitments.
- China’s clean‑energy investment accounted for over 90% of its investment growth last year, yet renewable subsidies have been withdrawn and coal‑plant construction surged.
Why it matters: The deregulation promises $1.3tn in savings for Americans but removes federal safeguards, potentially worsening climate damage and health costs, while China’s continued clean‑energy push could give its manufacturers a cost advantage but falls short of its Paris commitments, leaving global climate targets at risk.
