THE· JRI· BRIEFING· PAPERS – number 32 - 20 th January 2017 DONALD TRUMP, THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE CHURCH Martin J. Hodson 1. Introduction The result of the presidential election in the United States is likely to have a major impact on the environment. The election of Donald Trump has been a shock to many of us and will have implications for environmental policy. Since the election there have been a multiplicity of articles concerning the future of environmental protection under Trump. Some of these have painted a very grim, even apocalyptic, picture of the future. Environment certainly does not seem to be high on his agenda. As an editorial for the Los Angeles Times, published on the 22 nd November 2016, pointed out, ‘To see how seriously Donald J. Trump takes the health of the environment, you need look no further than his transition team’s website. 1 Environmental issues aren’t even listed - though there is a page pledging to achieve ‘energy independence’….’ 2 But, as we shall see, others are wondering whether he will be able to enact his policies, given the level of opposition he is likely to have, the economic trends that are already set in, and the general inertia in the political and legislative system. The biggest problem in analysing the effects of Trump on the environment is that, like on many other issues, he tends to flip-flop his positions frequently. His views tend to change depending on his intended audience, and the people around him. The second problem in conducting this analysis is that views on the effects of his policies vary widely. Here I have tried to avoid the most extreme interpretations on either side, or at least to give a balance. My aim is to give a reasonably complete summary of the likely effects of a Trump administration on the environment, and then look at what this all means for the Church. 1 Donald Trump Image ID:353116925 Credit: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com