If you care about saving the Earth from catastrophe, you might be feeling a little down
Undeniably, his return to the White House represents a real setback for climate action.
who has promised, among other troubling promises, to increase fossil fuel production and withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement.
But beyond Trump and his circle, there remains a deep concern about climate change, especially among younger people.
Support for climate policy remains high in the United States and around the world. And studies based on data from 60,000 people in more than 60 countries suggest that individuals’ concern about climate change is vastly underestimated.
So now is a good time to remember that efforts to tackle the climate crisis – both in Australia and globally – are much bigger than one man. Here are ten reasons to remain hopeful.
1. The global transition to clean energy cannot be stopped
The global shift to clean energy is accelerating, and Trump can’t stop it. Investment in clean energy has surpassed fossil fuels and by 2024 will be almost double investment in coal, oil and gas.
This is a historic mega-trend and will continue with or without American leadership.
2. Clean energy momentum is likely to continue in the United States
Much of the Biden-era spending on clean energy industries went to Republican states and congressional districts. New factories for batteries and electric vehicles will continue to move forward under the Trump administration.
After all, entrepreneur Elon Musk – — produces electric vehicles.
Some of Trump’s financial supporters are receiving subsidies for clean energy production, and 18 Republican members of Congress have come out against cuts to clean energy tax credits.
3. The US still wants to beat China
There is bipartisan concern in Washington about the United States losing technological advantage to Beijing. China currently dominates global production of electric vehicles, batteries, wind turbines and solar panels. Therefore, the domestic pressure in the United States to counter China’s manufacturing might will continue.
4. The federal government is not everything in the United States
The last time Trump was in office, he withdrew the United States from some climate commitments, such as the Paris Agreement. But many state and local governments have pushed climate policy forward, and that will happen again this time.
For example, California, the world’s fifth largest economy, plans to eliminate its greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
Republican heartland Texas is also leading a shift toward wind and solar energy.
5. The US climate movement will be more energetic than ever
During Trump’s first presidency, the US climate movement developed policy proposals for a “Green New Deal”. Many of these proposals were subsequently implemented by the Biden administration. Early reactions to Trump’s re-election suggest that we can expect similar political support this time too.
6. Global climate cooperation is bigger than Trump
If Trump keeps his promise to leave the Paris Agreement (again), he will only leave the room where the future of the world is taking shape.
The United States has distanced itself from global climate agreements in the past, for example by refusing to join the Kyoto Protocol in 2001. But other nations have rallied for global action, and will do so again.
7. The rules-based global order will remain
When a nation strays from agreed-upon rules after decades of negotiations, responsible countries must work together to strengthen global cooperation.
This applies to trade and security, and the climate is no different.
As Foreign Minister Penny Wong recently explained, Australia, as a middle power on the world stage, wants “a world in which disputes are resolved through engagement, negotiation and rules [and] norms […] We don’t want a world where disputes are resolved only with power.”
8. Australian diplomacy matters
Australia is looking to co-host UN climate talks with Pacific island countries in 2026, and is emerging as the favourite.
Hosting the conference, known as COP31, would present an opportunity for Australia to help broker a new era of international climate action, even if the United States opts out under Trump.
Hosting the talks would also help consolidate Australia’s position in the Pacific and help our Pacific neighbors address the climate threat.
9. Australia’s clean energy transition is accelerating
Around 40% of Australia’s main national electricity grid is powered by renewable sources and this percentage is set to rise to 80% by 2030. Some states are making great strides: for example, South Australia aims to reach 100% % of renewable sources by 2027.
Australians also love clean energy at home. One in three households have installed solar energy on their roof, making us a world leader in the adoption of this technology. Trump’s occupation of the Oval Office cannot stop this momentum.
10. Trump can’t change the science of climate change
The science is clear: burning coal, oil and gas fuels climate change and increases the risk of disasters that are harming communities right now.
In Australia, we need look no further than the Black Summer bushfires in 2019-20 and the unprecedented Lismore floods in 2022.
And the damage is occurring all over the world. In October, twin hurricanes in the United States – made stronger by warming oceans – left a damage bill of more than $100 billion. And hundreds of people died
On dark days – such as, for example, the election of a climate denier to the White House – one might get the sense that humanity is not up to Earth’s greatest existential challenge. But there are many reasons for hope.
The vast majority of us support policies to address climate change, and in many cases, the momentum is virtually unstoppable.
Wesley Morgan is a research associate at UNSW’s Institute for Climate Risk and Response. Ben Newell is professor of cognitive psychology and director of the UNSW Institute for Climate Risk and Response.
