As US President Donald Trump opted out of attending the UN climate summit in the Amazon, California Governor Gavin Newsom seized the opportunity to voice his opposition to Trump’s fossil fuel policies. Newsom’s vocal criticism underscores the ongoing tension between state-level and federal approaches to climate change.
The Democratic governor, whose name is often mentioned as a potential contender for the 2028 presidential race, harshly criticized Trump for twice withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement and accused him of making misguided decisions in support of the oil industry.
Newsom promised that a future Democratic administration would promptly rejoin the Paris Agreement, emphasizing, “It’s a moral commitment, it’s an economic imperative.” He made these remarks in response to a question by AFP during the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil.
Trump, who resumed office in January, once again pulled the US out of the Paris accord, dismissing human-induced climate change as a “con job.” This marked his second withdrawal from the agreement, having first exited during his initial term.
Newsom showcased California’s environmental achievements while attending the summit with Helder Barbalho, governor of Para. He highlighted that California, the world’s fourth-largest economy, now relies on renewable sources for two-thirds of its energy needs.
Throughout the day, Newsom engaged in a series of meetings with international officials, including representatives from Germany and Brazil, all while drawing significant media attention akin to that of national leaders.
– Regional Influence Yet Limited Role –
Despite their enthusiasm, regional leaders have no direct involvement in official COP30 negotiations. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who also attended the summit, acknowledged these limitations but expressed a desire to play a more active role in climate discussions.
“Certainly our meetings with leaders at the UN and others was to demonstrate that we’re interested in any possibility that does more about that direct negotiation and representation,” she mentioned, highlighting the dual role played by state governments regardless of federal engagement.
Christiana Figueres, a key architect of the Paris Agreement, suggested that the summit might benefit from the absence of Trump’s administration, as it avoids potential confrontations with countries opposed to climate action.
– ‘Temporary Obstacles’ –
While US states and cities lack formal representation, they hold significant sway in climate initiatives. University of Maryland research indicates that state-level efforts could lead to substantial emission reductions by 2035, provided a climate-supportive president is in office by 2028.
“The president can’t throw a switch and turn everything off — that’s not how our system works,” noted Nate Hultman, who headed the study. Even states with leaders hostile to climate policies, like Texas, continue to advance renewable energy, he emphasized.
Nevertheless, the extent of state action remains uncertain without federal backing. Trump’s administration has moved to curtail clean energy tax credits, posing challenges to the renewable sector.
In addition to expanding domestic drilling, Trump’s team has thwarted international carbon tax efforts, threatening retaliation against supporting nations. Newsom urged resilience, reminding that “Trump is temporary” and advocating for standing up to such “bullying” tactics.
ia/mlm
Original Story at www.norfolkneradio.com