At The New York Times’s annual Climate Forward event, California Governor Gavin Newsom fiercely criticized President Trump’s recent statements denying climate change, calling them “an abomination” and “an embarrassment.” Newsom specifically highlighted Trump’s UN speech where he dismissed climate change as a “con job” and green energy as a scam. The governor also took aim at corporate leaders and Republican lawmakers for not opposing Trump’s stance, emphasizing the severe impact of climate change on states like California, which he described as “crisis-prone.” Newsom positioned California as a crucial defense against the Trump administration’s environmental policy rollbacks, citing the state’s significant green energy job growth and strong programs aimed at reducing transportation emissions. He expressed concern over the administration’s withdrawal of $13 billion from renewable energy projects, deeming it a “betrayal” that would only benefit China.
The summit revealed a stark global contrast, with the U.S. backtracking on climate efforts while promoting fossil fuels, even as the planet experiences record temperatures and climate-fueled disasters. André Corrêa do Lago, the Brazilian diplomat leading upcoming UN climate negotiations, noted that despite the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the American Energy Secretary would still be welcome at the conference. However, Corrêa do Lago acknowledged the economic concerns raised by some, including the U.S. Energy Secretary, regarding climate mitigation costs. He also pointed out the frustrations with consensus rules in global climate diplomacy, which allow a few countries to impede progress.
Despite the current administration’s stance, some industry leaders remain optimistic. Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova (a major wind turbine manufacturer), recognized a slump in the U.S. wind industry under Trump but underscored the vast long-term potential for wind power, especially given the nation’s abundant wind resources. He admitted past industry missteps in turbine quality, hoping a current slowdown would allow for recalibration and automation in manufacturing. GE Vernova is also advancing nuclear reactor development and has seen its gas turbine business grow due to rising electricity demand, partly fueled by artificial intelligence. Microsoft and Google executives, Kate Brandt and Melanie Nakagawa, reaffirmed their commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030, despite increased emissions from AI and data center investments. They acknowledged the challenge, with Nakagawa stating, “You have to build a faster rocket ship,” referring to carbon removal efforts. They highlighted strategies like efficient data centers and investments in nuclear energy, though the possibility of new natural gas or coal-powered data centers, offset by carbon-free energy, was also discussed.
Environmental leaders stressed the need for climate activism to connect with everyday concerns, arguing that the 2024 presidential election wasn’t solely a referendum on climate. They warned that Trump’s pro-fossil fuel policies put the U.S. at a strategic disadvantage globally. Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest directly challenged Trump’s climate denial, inviting him to witness the climate damage in Australia firsthand and criticizing the rollback of renewable energy tax credits that led to canceled green energy projects. Meanwhile, Hilda Heine, President of the Marshall Islands, expressed disappointment in Trump’s dismissive remarks, reiterating that climate change is the Pacific region’s greatest security threat. She passionately advocated for climate finance as compensation, not charity, given the existential threat of rising sea levels to her nation.
From a national security perspective, former Biden national security adviser Jake Sullivan stated that the Trump administration’s dismantling of climate policies poses a significant threat to U.S. preparedness. He criticized the halting of intelligence reports on climate’s security implications and urged against ceding clean energy leadership to China. On a more personal note, actor and environmentalist Rainn Wilson introduced the “20-5-3 rule” for reconnecting with nature (20 minutes outdoors thrice weekly, 5 hours monthly in a wild setting, 3 days annually off-grid). Drawing from his personal experience with California wildfires, Wilson emphasized the spiritual value of nature and the need to transform our relationship with it to effectively address climate change. Finally, discussions on global energy access highlighted the disparity, with billions lacking clean cooking fuel and electricity, and only a small fraction of clean energy financing reaching developing nations, particularly in Africa. Jacqueline Novogratz noted, “Climate finance isn’t scarce… It’s scared,” underlining the need for greater investment in energy access for a productive global society.