During his inaugural address Monday, President Trump vowed to declare a “national energy emergency” in order to fulfill his campaign pledge to “drill, baby, drill.” Trump then proceeded to sign executive orders opening Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas exploration; lifting a pause on new liquefied natural gas exports; pledging to streamline permitting for energy and mining projects; and revoking a Biden-era goal of transitioning to electric vehicles. And for the second time, President Trump has withdrawn the United States from the United Nations’ Paris Climate Agreement. As he signed the order, Trump said, “The United States will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity.” That prompted this response from China’s Foreign Ministry.

Guo Jiakun: “China is concerned about the U.S. announcement that it will withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Climate change is a common challenge facing all mankind. No country can stay out of it, and no country can be immune to it.”

Trump’s return to power has alarmed climate activists worldwide. On Monday, protesters in London unfurled a 100-meter-wide banner across from the Houses of Parliament. 

Phil Thornhill: “It says, 'Trump: Climate Genocide.' And it’s to get over the point that the election of a climate denier to be the most powerful man in the world is going to have dreadful consequences.”