(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - President Trump's numerous executive orders over the past two weeks include actions on the environment, which has Illinois environmental advocates worried.
Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, is one of those who has had an eye on the White House.
“When we look at this administration’s view on climate change, we absolutely should be concerned,” Walling told WBBM. “There’s been a series of executive orders that have unwound the Inflation Reduction Act, investments under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that were targeted at reducing emissions.”
President Trump's moves are taking the U.S. away from global climate action, aim to ramp up domestic oil and gas production and remove incentives for electric vehicles.
Laura Goldberg, senior director of Midwest Regional Impact at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said it's all a concern, but there's hope.
“Illinois has a real opportunity with the movements on the ground here as well as our elected officials to ensure that we continue climate progress,” said Goldberg.
Walling said, while she has concerns about Trump’s moves, Chicago will stay on its current path.
“The city of Chicago is working very quickly to get to the point where all of its internal energy is from renewable energy…Those are exciting things that we’re doing, and we’re acknowledging how much extreme weather costs us, how much the impacts of climate change costs for health and infrastructure in a really important way,” Walling said.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok I Bluesky