The GOP’s Climate Plan — Or Lack Thereof
Covering Climate Now
A global journalism initiative committed to more urgent and informed coverage of climate change.
Donald Trump may not mention climate change during his speech at the Republican National Convention tonight, but it’s safe to assume he hasn’t changed his stripes since leaving office in 2021. Trump recently mocked President Joe Biden’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis, and he consistently opts to deride , rather than discuss, renewable energy.
As Republicans wrap up their convention in Milwaukee and we look to the months of campaigning ahead, it’s critical that journalists have a firm grasp on the GOP’s platform on climate and energy — and the significant impacts their policies would have on the planet.
The GOP’s official platform , published last week, does not contain any mention of “climate change” or “renewable energy.” It emphasizes increasing fossil fuel production — “We will DRILL, BABY, DRILL,” the platform reads — and vows to scrap Biden administration emissions regulations, as well as “end market-distorting restrictions on Oil, Natural Gas, and Coal.” Science is unequivocal, however, that expanded fossil fuel use will only accelerate climate change ; to stave off the worst impacts of a hotter planet, scientists say humanity must rapidly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
The Republican platform mimics much of what’s found in Project 2025, a conservative coalition’s plan for bending the federal government into alignment with right-wing policy objectives that’s expected to serve as a roadmap for a second Trump administration’s first year. As we noted last week , Project 2025 contains extensive attacks on climate action, including mandates to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), withdraw from the Paris Agreement, and kneecap the green energy transition.
Nor does Trump’s pick of Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate change the Republican narrative. Vance has questioned settled science about humanity’s role in climate change, attacked the IRA, and petitioned to boost fossil fuel production — never mind that the US is already the world’s leading producer of oil and gas — all while taking hundreds of thousands from the fossil fuel industry in donations.
Next month, the Democrats will have the opportunity to present an alternative vision on climate, giving journalists the opportunity to contrast two approaches to one of the world’s most vexing problems. The GOP has chosen to all but ignore the issue. The Democrats, despite making progress under Biden, have struggled to make the public aware of their climate goals and achievements. The future of the earth, meanwhile, hangs in the balance.
From Us
US elections. What do Project 2025’s recommendations mean for climate, and how can you report those out to your audiences? Check out this week’s Climate on the Ballot newsletter .
Greening cities. Urban forestry initiatives are gaining traction, as cities invest more in planting and maintaining green spaces to combat heat. See this week’s Locally Sourced newsletter for background, story ideas, and more.
Noteworthy Stories
About face. Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, said in 2020 that “we have a climate problem in our society.” Today, though, Vance claims to be skeptical of human-caused climate change and calls America’s climate policy “dumb.” By Lisa Friedman at The New York Times…
More reporting:
Global security. At last week’s NATO summit in Washington, D.C., world leaders highlighted climate change as a growing threat to the alliance’s operations — which, it bears mention, carry their own hefty climate footprint. A report released during the summit says climate impacts like heat waves and flooding undermine global security, pose a risk to military personnel, and could hinder emergency management operations. By Kiley Price at Inside Climate News…
Cool roofs. Roofs that reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat help combat the urban heat island effect — but, as of yet, many cities aren’t harnessing their potential, according to new research. Updated policies and evolving industry practices could help boost their adoption. By Matt Simon at Grist…
Enhancing resilience. Extreme weather events have given rise to a new form of insurance, “parametric insurance,” which delivers fast financial assistance to people in developing countries impacted by events like flooding and drought. Unlike traditional insurance, the policies base payouts on data such as rainfall and wind speed, bypassing lengthy and bureaucratic damage assessments. By Bill Spindle and Cipher News at the Associated Press…
Extreme weather and climate. How do scientists know that climate change is linked to extreme weather? What forms of extreme weather are most influenced by humanity’s continued use of fossil fuels? Eric Roston and Brian Sullivan take on these questions and more in an explainer for Bloomberg…
Kudos
We appreciated this sharp reporting from CBS News Philadelphia on extreme heat in New Jersey, which research shows is the fastest warming state in the Northeast due to climate change. From Trenton, reporter Brandon Goldner talks solutions and underscores the need to reduce carbon emissions.
Resources
Olympic heat. Climate Central, Inc. ’s new report “Paris: 100 Years of Olympic Warming” looks at the risks that extreme heat poses to athletes, spectators, and outdoor workers, with the Olympic host city consistently experiencing more intense and more frequent heat waves.
Extreme heat. A pair of University of Massachusetts Lowell professors, one focused on climate science and the other on meteorology, explain “how climate change is heating up weather around the world.”
Events
Elections. The International News Media Association (INMA) is hosting a webinar, “How The New York Times and Washington Post Are Approaching Elections Coverage,” on July 24. RSVP .
Construction. Clean Energy Wire | CLEW is holding an event, “Masterclass: How to Report on the Construction Sector’s Hidden Climate Impact,” on July 25. RSVP .
Climate data. World Resources Institute is hosting a webinar, “Discover Climate Data: From Attribution to Target Setting,” on July 25. RSVP .
Amazon. Internews and Connectas are training journalists in a webinar called “How to investigate environmental crimes in the Amazon region,” from July 23-25. RSVP .
Visuals. The National Press Club Journalism Institute is hosting a design workshop, “How to create compelling visuals when it’s not usually your job.” July 26. RSVP .
Gun violence. The Society of Environmental Journalists and the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education are hosting an event, “The Heat Is Killing Us: Data for Journalists Covering Climate Change and Gun Violence,” on July 30. RSVP .
Ask David: CCNow’s Resident Meteorologist Talks Mosquitos
David Dickson, meteorologist and CCNow’s TV engagement coordinator, explains how climate change is making one of nature’s deadly pests a bigger problem.
Jobs, Etc.
Jobs. CBS News is seeking a producer, transportation (Washington, D.C.). E&E News is hiring an energy reporter (Arlington, Va.). The Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk is recruiting an assistant director (remote). Science Friday is recruiting a co-host for its weekly show (New York, N.Y.).
Fossil fuel reporting grants. Journalismfund Europe ’s Fossil Fuel Grant Programme is accepting applications from cross-border teams of at least two professional journalists and/or news outlets to investigate unreported activities by European fossil fuel companies, whether on the continent or abroad.
For African journalists. The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance ’s African Climate Change and Environment Reporting awards program is accepting submissions for the eighth edition of their biennial awards.