The move could affect everything from state-led climate research to localized efforts to improve air and water quality to environmental justice.
This article illustrates how environmental science and research within the United States can be stopped by a gag order. The Trump administration have repeatedly denied the idea of climate change, and with Trump in power, this denial could become a reality. To note, the Trump administration has removed any information that was associated with climate change off the White House website, thus continuing this denial. The idea of politicians creating their own “reality” has taken a step forward. The famous quote from Karl Rove have resounding effects in the present, for “...when [the gov’t] act[s], we create our own reality.”
Not only does this gag order on the EPA prevent any future environmental protection, but also prevents any other environmental or humanitarian groups to take a stand through a sense of fear. The ability to have a “immediate impact” on federal agencies concerning such global issues is a warning of what is to come in the next few years. With lack of environmental research and knowledge, the damage humans can cause for personal gain is relentless.
Similarly, as discussed in class, this relates to a Kleptocratic government, a government that is ruled through exploitation for one’s own personal gain. With Trump’s background in buisness, the benefits of censoring an environmental organization with such influence such as the EPA can be seen as a decision made with a rather capitalistic motive, than for the sake of the country.
ccid: jyue2