What Trump's Presidency Means for Environmental Protection

Today was the day. I don't think there are any words that can even remotely explain the fear and sadness I am currently feeling, which I am sure are feelings that are largely shared at the moment. Today is the day that an incompetent and temperament man was inaugurated as president. A man who shaped his entire political campaign on the basis of degrading people from diverse backgrounds and by degrading essentially everything that America stands for. In addition to his lack of professionalism and experience, this man has made it his uttermost mission to appoint cabinet members who will serve his personal interests, not America. Here is a bit about Trump’s pick for the EPA:

Environmental Protection Agency:

For head of the EPA, that is, the agency specifically developed for the purpose of protecting our environment and ensuring clean air, water, and energy, Trump has appointed Scott Pruitt. Pruitt has consistently disregarded the fact that human impact is responsible for climate change, and vows to uphold Trump’s unbelievable environmental plans. Trump and Pruitt are seeking, and pledging for that matter, to reverse all of the progress former President Obama has made in the battle against climate change. Just to name a few of Obama's environmental accomplishments:

• Expanded the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument to 490,000 square miles
• Raised fuel-emission standards 54.5 mpg by the year 2025
• Supported the Clean Power Plan, which will significantly reduce carbon emissions from factories and plants by 2050
• Used the Antiquities Act 23 times to create national monuments of important lands
• Established the Pollinator Health Task Force, a group of the EPA who aim to restore to honey bee to sustainable levels by 2025.
• Signed a ban on microbeads, making their production illegal

Trump and Pruitt, for whatever ignorant reason, believe that the environment and its sustainability are not important. Trump has referred to the EPA as a disgrace, and has even claimed that we can destroy the environment, but we can not destroy businesses.

Here are some of their plans:

• Prevent the passing of the Clean Power Plan
• Decrease limits on methane emissions from oil and gas drilling
• Approve the Keystone XL Pipeline
• Cancel the Paris Agreement, which is a monumental agreement of over 200 nations to reduce emissions.
• Greatly expand the use of fossil fuels, and to expand fossil fuel drilling

Everything that this country stands for and has fought for, such as racial and gender equality, environmental protection, and health care rights, is threatened in every manner possible. I truly fear about what is to become of this country.
But I have had enough time to heal. Over two months have passed since I cried uncontrollably on November 8th while I watched him win state after state. Since then, I have had the time to reflect on what is to become, but most importantly, I have gained enough time to gather my strength and retain my hope of making America truly better. These next four years will be incredibly hard, and we all need to acknowledge it. We will face obstacle after obstacle, as we watch our "President" make and enforce unfavorable decisions. We will have to watch as our progress is reversed and we will have to watch as an intolerance accumulates.
But we will not just stand, and allow ourselves to merely be bystanders to the inhumane occurrences that are soon to come. We will fight. We will fight continuously and passionately, just as every other change-maker has done throughout history. We will hold on to our hope, and find every outlet to stand up and fight for our rights. We will not give up. I encourage anyone and everyone to pursue every opportunity they have to fight for what we deserve. Now is the time to fully pursue our civil responsibilities, and to ensure that America upholds to its projection of democracy.

Let’s enlighten ourselves on what is occurring in politics. Let’s make sure that we protest and refute against proposed injustices. Let’s engage ourselves in advocacy groups and non-profits. Let’s be the great change-makers we are capable of being.

We thought this was the end. It's not. It's the most granting opportunity for us to fully initiate our revolution. This is the start of the most passionate, committed, and outspoken group of concerned citizens that we have every seen. Let’s do this.