Donald Trump recently outlined some of his energy-related plans at an oil and natural gas conference in North Dakota.

The takeaway? He has no sh*ts to give when it comes to the environment.

“We’re going to save the coal industry. I love these people,” he said on Thursday—the same day he received enough delegates to secure the Republication nomination.

Burning coal accounts for 39% of the world’s CO₂ emissions and is the largest source of air pollution in the U.S.

Perhaps most notably, Trump also vowed to “cancel” the Paris Climate Agreement if he becomes the next president of the United States. The Paris Agreement refers to the historic agreement by 195 nations to curb global warming by reducing carbon emissions over time.

“We’re going to cancel the Paris Climate Agreement and stop all payment of the United States tax dollars to U.N. global warming programs,” he said,

In the past, Trump, who has never held a public office, has repeatedly referred to climate change as a hoax on Twitter.

Interestingly, he does seem to believe that climate change is affecting his golf course in Ireland. Trump International Golf Links Ireland recently filed a permit seeking permission to erect a sea wall to shield his golf course. The permit application cites global warming and rising sea levels as rationale for building the potential protective wall.

In the words of my seven-year-old, who cringed when seeing a picture of Trump for the first time: “Why do people want this guy to be president?”

 

 

Relephant:

The Trump video we all need to watch—and feel—before it’s too Late.

Dear Donald Trump: A Letter from My Daughter.

Noted Climatologist Donald Trump Weighs in on Global Warming. {Video}

 

 

 

Author: Lynn Shattuck

Editor: Renée Picard

Image: Gage Skidmore, Flickr