Trump’s 2025 CPAC: Emphasizing Fossil Fuels and Rejecting Climate Science
At the 2025 CPAC, Donald Trump and other conservatives emphasized fossil fuel deregulation while dismissing climate change science. Trump criticized climate agreements and highlighted the rollback of environmental protections. The conference lacked scientific discussions, focusing instead on ideological beliefs against environmental policies. Notable figures like Liz Truss and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright further promoted deregulation and increased energy production, reflecting a continued resistance to climate action within the GOP.
In mid-February 2025, the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) outside Washington, D.C., became the venue for a significant rallying of conservative figures in support of President Donald Trump and the fossil fuel deregulation agenda. Various notable speakers, including Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk, and ex-Trump aide Steve Bannon, praised the MAGA movement, culminating in Trump’s address that echoed sentiments of previous years.
Trump criticized the Paris Agreement as “one-sided” and referred to the Green New Deal as the “Green New Scam,” despite its status as an unlegislated proposal. In a speech marked by a lack of substantial policy details, he claimed to have canceled non-existent mandates concerning electric vehicles. Furthermore, he bizarrely suggested hydrogen cars pose extreme risks without evidence to substantiate such claims.
The event marked a departure from previous years, which featured more scientifically inclined discussions on climate denial. This year saw a focus solely on anti-climate rhetoric and MAGA support, without any scientific presentations. Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss condemned net-zero policies that, according to her, have led to rising energy prices and loss of manufacturing capacity in Britain, expressing her desire to lift the fracking ban that had been reinstated by her successor.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright endorsed Trump’s energy production philosophy, pledging to eliminate regulations that hinder fossil fuel production. His presentation highlighted the urgency for energy sources to support AI operations, emphasizing competition with China in technological advancements. The conference featured advertisements for Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, who aspires to transition into a Senate role while promoting a significant LNG project aimed at Asian customers, not the continental U.S.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced initiatives to exploit public lands more effectively, proposing to market resources to international allies. He suggested that these strategies could eliminate trade deficits and potentially earn Trump the Nobel Prize. Meanwhile, the only climate-focused group present was the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT), which questioned established climate science and aimed to counter prevailing leftist narratives on college campuses.
The 2025 CPAC exemplified a concerted push by prominent conservatives to uphold fossil fuel interests while dismissing scientific consensus on climate change. Trump’s aggressive rhetoric against proposed environmental policies reflected a broader trend of anti-climate sentiment among the GOP. The absence of scientific discussions at this year’s conference further signals a shift in the conservative discourse surrounding climate issues, indicating a preference for ideology over empirical evidence. Overall, with strong endorsements for fossil fuel deregulation and a focus on energizing a pro-industry agenda, conservatives are doubling down on their stance against climate progress amid growing global concerns over climate change. Moving forward, this push may exacerbate tensions surrounding environmental policy, labor needs, and global energy dynamics, suggesting a need for dialog rooted in reliable scientific data.
Original Source: www.desmog.com
