On January 20th of 2025, nearing the beginning of Donald Trump’s second term, he declared a national energy emergency, which was targeted at immediately shifting our energy priorities to focus on expanding fossil fuel production. This has put us in a direction that prioritizes increases in non-renewable energy output while deprioritizing renewable energy outputs, along with our environment. Trump’s administration frames fossil fuels and access to oil as a key component of economic stability and strength in our nation, all while omitting the environmental risk that increased fossil fuel usage can bring.
Our current administration frames climate policies/action as a threat and a concern that needs to be addressed immediately, creating a sort of crisis mindset among citizens. They describe insufficient energy production as a threat to our economy and security, which then creates a sense of urgency that frames fossil fuel expansion as something necessary. Doing so creates fear in communities, which can lead to increased anxiety surrounding the climate, as well as people acting less. For example, the Unleashing American Energy executive order describes unleashing energy resources as something that will “restore American prosperity” and protect “economic and national security,” which connects fossil fuel production directly to our national strength. The second phrase used makes climate action look like it is threatening our safety, when in reality it acts to ensure a better quality of life for us and future generations. Trump refers to oil as “liquid gold under our feet,” which highlights oil as something valuable and abundant that should be used for economic gain. This framing allows people to look past the environmental factors that rapid oil expansion would yield, along with changing the public’s perception of potential solutions.
During Donald Trump’s time in Davos, he stated that he plans to reverse the ‘economic chaos’ that the last administration created, along with referring to the Green New Deal as “ridiculous” and “incredibly wasteful." His terminology helps shape the idea that climate policies are unnecessary or harmful, while making fossil fuels seem like the better option.
The ‘threat’ that climate action poses is said to affect our economic stability, but it does not consider the effects climate change can have on our economy. Trump’s administration throughout this term has concentrated on using certain rhetoric to make people speculate on whether clean energy would cause instability. While doing so, they fail to mention that although the initial cost of switching to renewable energy would be high, these sources have become cost-competitive over time and can present long-term economic savings due to lower operational and maintenance costs. The administration looks at the short-term benefits instead of the long-term. His Declaration for why we should increase fossil fuel production doesn’t look at the agriculture, human health, and environmental damage that inaction will bring, which will all affect our economy as well.
Overall, Donald Trump’s declaration of a national energy emergency framed fossil fuel expansion as an economic necessity, which then boosted a shift toward fossil fuel expansion, and that shift has already begun to reshape policy and deter climate action. This action has weakened the protection for endangered species, as well as loosened restrictions for clean water by providing less time to assess the risks that energy projects have on the environment. Since returning to office, Trump's administration has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement (again), repealed the Endangerment Finding, and cut funding for climate initiatives. Despite the research showing that clean energy sources would be more cost-effective and economically beneficial in the long run, our president's administration still uses specific rhetoric to instill fear and urgency among people to push for more fossil fuel production. Many people count on those in power to help build a livable future, but when climate change is dismissed by our leadership, that future becomes harder to achieve.
In disbelief of the success he's had painting the fossil fuel industry as foundational within our economy, as if renewable energy isn't cheaper to implement and sustain. :/
ReplyDeleteIt continues to shock me that Trump and other politicians refuse to acknowledge that these energy sources are not renewable and cannot last. It makes it pretty clear they aren't doing this for the "future of America".
ReplyDeleteThis shows how the administration uses economic fear to justify more fossil‑fuel expansion. Calling it an “energy emergency” makes oil seem essential while pushing aside the long‑term costs and the benefits of renewables. It’s a clear example of how framing shapes public perception and keeps real climate action off the table
ReplyDeleteAgree with the other comments here that it's clear the Trump administration is horrifically short-sighted, and don't seem to care that these energy sources will eventually run out and ruin the planet in the process. The graph is especially helpful to show how a switch to clean energy is really the only option for any sane country in the long run.
ReplyDeleteYour post highlighted this issue well. Its so frustrating reading about stuff like this knowing that its just factually wrong and so so based in greed. Its cheaper and much more responsible to use green energy, there's no question to it. The blatant lies are overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteI like how you talked about how short sighted this is and how using terms such as "emergency" frames oil as a savior that is being taken away.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your blog post! I really liked how you discussed the big picture, having less regulations will only keep citizens in more danger. I also liked how you talked about water regulation, many people fail to realize that less regulation of energy production can impact our water usage and water quality!
ReplyDeleteThis highlights a very central point in the book we're reading in class. This framing of fossil fuel as needed is so frustratingly good because it works every time. People don't yet realize solar and wind energy create more jobs and boost our economy more than fossil fuel so this misinformation and strategic framing allows the public to fall under the idea that fossil fuels will save our economy and better our lives.
ReplyDeleteYour post was really interesting. I like how you broke down specific phrases like “liquid gold” and connected them to larger ideas. It highlights how powerful wording can be in influencing opinions. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI liked how you analyzed phrases like “liquid gold under our feet” and “restore American prosperity” to show how language can make fossil fuel expansion seem necessary while downplaying environmental risks. Your point about the administration focusing on short-term economic fears was especially strong.
ReplyDeleteThe characterization of oil as "liquid gold" is perhaps the most literal example of the "parasitic cycle" you've described stripping the Earth of its inherent value and rebranding it as colonial wealth. By declaring a "national energy emergency," the administration effectively uses the language of crisis to bypass the very intuition and environmental protections that act as the last line of defense for our "self-sovereignty" over the land.
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