[An image of Donald Trump. Photo credit to Unsplash]

President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled “Unleashing American Energy,” which increased the production of fossil fuels by removing certain restrictions on preserving the environment. 

The sweeping order contains five key provisions that environmental experts warn could have lasting impacts on climate policy.

Under the first provision, Trump declared withdrawal from the Paris Climate  Agreement, an international accord designed to limit global temperature rise.

Analysts suggest the decision comes from the administration’s view that the agreement hampers domestic economic growth.

The order also declares a national energy emergency, embracing what supporters call a “drill, baby, drill” approach that emphasizes fossil fuel development while curtailing renewable energy initiatives.

This plan includes policies such as suspending new wind farm approvals across the country. 

Moreover, the executive order halts federal funding for clean energy programs that had gained momentum in recent years.

In a fourth major provision, Trump rescinded numerous environmental policies, including those promoting electric vehicle adoption. 

The President argued that he’ll revoke the electric vehicle mandate, claiming this is giving citizens the chance to choose their cars. 

The order concludes with a series of appointments to the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Trump intends to “sell our health, our communities, our jobs, and our future out to corporate polluters,” said Ben Jealous, executive director of the Sierra Club, in response to the appointments. 

The administration’s decision to allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has faced notable backlash, despite oil companies Chevron and Hilcorp expressing reluctance to operate in the environmentally sensitive region, citing biodiversity concerns. 

Legal experts question whether the national emergency declaration provides sufficient authority to override existing environmental protections.

Several environmental organizations have already announced plans to challenge the order in court.

Professor Chris Hilson, Director of the Reading Centre for Climate and Justice, University of Reading, is criticizing harshly about the Paris Agreement withdrawal.

“US climate emissions still count for a big slice of the global whole,” Hilson noted, though he suggested the impact “may turn out to be mostly bark and little bite.”

Climate policy experts warn that as China and Europe accelerate development of clean energy technologies, America’s renewed focus on fossil fuels could leave it at a competitive disadvantage in emerging energy markets.

The long-term effectiveness of Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” policy is still in question as criticism mounts from environmental advocates, energy analysts, and international partners.