Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

The rising frequency of extreme weather events, from devastating wildfires to powerful tornadoes, serves as a stark reminder of the pressing urgency for global climate action. However, the recent reversal of US climate policies has cast a troubling shadow over global climate efforts, making the already uphill battle to combat climate change even more daunting.

In the wake of a devastating weekend that claimed at least 42 lives due to tornadoes, dust storms and wildfires across the US, the country's National Weather Service warned of another impending weather system this week, bringing a mix of significant snow, strong winds and fire weather risks, according to an AP report on Tuesday.

These events are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of climate-driven disasters that underscore the need for immediate climate actions across the world. The US has experienced a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters in recent years. In 2024, there were 27 individual weather and climate disasters with at least $1 billion each in damages, trailing only the record-setting 28 events in 2023.

Globally, extreme weather manifestations have been equally alarming, with intensified hurricanes, unprecedented wildfires and deadly flooding hitting countries like Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Libya and others in recent years. This continuous escalation of extreme weather events leaves no doubt that the world is now facing an unprecedented climate challenge.

The US, as one of the largest historical contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and a leading consumer of energy, is supposed to shoulder substantial responsibility in the global effort to combat climate change. Yet, at this critical juncture, the Trump administration's reversal of climate policies has raised serious concerns among environmental advocates and scientists. The choices made in Washington not only risk derailing US climate efforts but also threaten to have far-reaching and deleterious impacts on global climate actions. For instance, the US government's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement marked a significant setback for global climate efforts. By exiting this accord, the US has abandoned its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting global climate action. 

Last week, the US government announced a wave of regulatory rollbacks including a repeal of emissions limits on power plants and automobiles, to boost industries from coal to manufacturing, and ramp up oil and minerals production, Reuters reported. These actions reflect a broader policy shift that prioritizes short-term economic gains and the interests of the fossil fuel industry over long-term environmental sustainability.

The core motivation behind Washington's reversal of climate policies is to boost the US economy by bolstering the traditional energy industry. By favoring fossil fuels over renewable energy, the US government has effectively turned its back on the global transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. 

From an environmental perspective, this short-sighted behavior is undoubtedly a major historical regression. Last year was confirmed as "the hottest year on record," with the global average temperature exceeding 1.5 C above the pre-industrial era for the first time. A regression of the US climate policies could mean that the world is running out of time and options to achieve climate goals.

Also, by abandoning its leadership role in global climate governance, the US has created a vacuum that threatens to derail international efforts to address climate change. When the world's second-largest emitter of greenhouse gas shirks its responsibilities, other countries may be less motivated to uphold their own commitments. A domino effect could lead to a widespread weakening of global climate action, further exacerbating the climate crisis.

The regression of the US climate policies is jeopardizing not only its own future but also the well-being of the entire planet. It is imperative that the US recognizes the gravity of this situation, reverses its regressive climate policies and actively engages in global climate governance. Failures to do so will exacerbate the climate crisis and force the world to pay an extremely heavy price for Washington's short-sightedness.