If anything, it’s worse than expected: sweeping cutbacks to environmental programs; an abandonment of efforts aimed at cleaning up air and water pollution around the US; and, most worrying for the world in general, an end to multimillion-dollar funding for satellite launches and other science projects aimed at tackling climate change.
The direction of environmental policy under President Trump – who in the past has described climate change science as “a hoax” and programmes to combat a warming world as “bullshit” – seems clear. The new administration is determined to scupper any action aimed at tackling global warming.
‘Waste of your money’
“As to climate change, I think the president is fairly straightforward – we’re not spending money on that any more,” says Mick Mulvaney, Trump’s budget director. “We consider that to be a waste of your money.”
The proposed budget for 2018, announced by officials in Washington at the end of last week, aims to cut spending by more than 30% at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the main state body monitoring environmental and climate change issues. Staff at the EPA will be reduced by 19%, the biggest cut to any government department.
US Budget Broadside on Climate Change
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