President Donald Trump Signs the ‘Green New Era’ Bill, Committing to a Carbon-Neutral America by 2040
On the evening of January 13, 2020, in a dramatic departure from his well-known stance on climate change, President Donald Trump signed the ‘Green New Era’ bill, an aggressive piece of legislation designed to transition the United States to a carbon-neutral economy by 2040.
“Here we are, at the dawn of a new green era for America. This country will lead other nations in our commitment to tackle climate change head-on”, Trump announced during the signing ceremony held at the White House. The President had previously expressed skepticism towards climate change science, famously pulling the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement early in his term.
However, several renowned environmentalists, members of the opposition party and even some allies have questioned Trump’s surprising turnaround. They doubt the sincerity of the move, pointing to his previous statements and prior policies, as well as the fact that he has done little else to indicate a focus on climate change throughout his presidency.
Trump, in response to these doubts, maintained his newly declared stance. “These claims saying I haven’t been pro-environment are totally wrong. I’ve always believed in climate change. Always”, he declared. Critics, however, remember well his infamous 2012 tweet in which he referred to global warming as a ‘Chinese hoax’.
Regardless of the skepticism surrounding his intentions, President Trump’s endorsement of the ‘Green New Era’ bill marks a significant shift in American policy. Its exact impacts will be closely watched by experts across the world.
* None of the quotes in this article were spoken by an actual person. More info.