The order will curb the enforcement of a number of climate regulations, in an effort, the Trump administration says, to prioritize American jobs above addressing climate change. According to Mark Lynas, a British author, journalist and environmental activist who focuses on climate change, the order "is intended to make coal competitive again in the US economy, by refossilizing the US power sector and demonstrably increasing carbon emissions." While the order focuses on domestic policies, it will likely signal a shift in the US's global approach to climate change. "It's extremely concerning and I can only hope that the people's response to Trump's order will be sufficient to reverse it." If the US will be perceived to step down from its role in combating climate change, will this create a leadership vacuum?

Source: CNN March 28, 2017 17:15 UTC