President Donald Trump gave an Executive Order on Tuesday, effectively nullifying the efforts of his predecessor to limit the effects of climate change on the planet.
The order, which has been envisaged as a way to resurrect the dwindling coal and mining industries in the US, has been widely condemned by environmental activists and, for many, signals his most dangerous policy maneuver yet.
Trump’s ambivalence to the concerning impact of global warning has been evident since he began running for presidency, even calling it a ‘myth’ constructed by the Chinese.
So, who have been the ‘greenest’ Presidents in US history?
- Franklin Roosevelt
In 1912, Franklin Roosevelt is credited as having said “There can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country,” and the environment was prioritized during his tenure. Roosevelt ensured the creation of various national parks and landmarks across the country with the United States Forestry Service in 1905, which preserved land for public use.
In addition, Roosevelt initiated the creation of the National Park Service in 1916, which seeks to protect the U.S public land. Despite the limited progression of science with regards to the connection between humans and climate change at the time, Roosevelt’s compassion for conservation was clear.
2. Richard Nixon
Whilst Nixon’s controversial tenure in the White House may draw comparisons with the ruthless, fictional Machiavellian character of Frank Underwood of House of Cards, Nixon ranks rather favorably with regards to his environmental policies.
His introduction of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 paved the way for environmental protection legislation, signed the landmark Clean Air Act Extension into law and oversaw the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970.
3. Jimmy Carter
Despite holding his place in the oval for only one term, Carter is recognized for his environmental record, with many experts placing him in third place. He supported the Superfund legislation for toxic contamination cleanup and his efforts in protecting vast acres of land in the state of Alaska. Carter also appealed to the public to limit their energy consumption during a landmark televised address to the nation in 1997.
4. Barack Obama
Coming in at fourth is the 44th President Barack Obama. One of Obama’s many environmental achievements is his Clean Power Plan, which constituted the first ever national limit on carbon pollution.
In addition, during his leadership investment into environmental technology was also seen as a priority in order to ensure conservation methods for future generations. Alongside this, Obama was instrumental in negotiating the landmark Paris Climate Change Agreement which bounds 195 signatory nations to actively reduce climate pollution.
So, what about Trump?
Having taken active steps to abolish the US key green agency and the environmental protection agency, and in light of his latest executive order, Mr Trump’s environmental record so far has not been promising. Mr Trump remains a key critic of various environmental policies and a skeptic of global warming, and has often promoted industry over conservation.