What A U.S. “Energy Emergency” Means For The Bahamian Environment

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – It’s been just over a week since U.S. President Donald Trump started his second term in office.

During his first week, he signed a flurry of executive orders that experts say will have implications on the climate and environment but what are they and how will it impact us here in the Bahamas?

“The next item here is the withdrawal from the Paris climate treaty, we are going to save over a trillion dollars by withdrawing from that treaty,” the U.S. president said.

That was the moment U.S. President Donald Trump signed a list of executive actions in front of thousands of supporters at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. On January 20th.

One of them was withdrawal from the Paris Climate Treaty, including a letter to the United Nations explaining the move.

The Paris Climate Change Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. 

It was adopted by 196 parties at the cop 21 conference on climate change. 

Its main goal is to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

International experts have reacted with regret to the trump administration’s decision…

Clare Nullis – spokeswoman, UN World Meteorological Organization, said the need for Paris Agreement is pretty obvious.

And that’s not the only policy change that could have an impact on the environment.

Trump also declared a “national energy emergency,” doubling down on oil and gas amid a promise to quote “drill, baby, drill.”

So, how will it impact The Bahamas?

“We have the cleanest ocean so those particular matters we have to mindful we have to maintain them for future generations,” Trump said.

“I’m just waiting for the decision to be made that there will be no drilling for oil in our territory waters. I know that United States may want to investigate certain areas where they know there is plenty residue of oil in our territory under the water etc but we are a sovereign nation.”

And what does the Davis administration have to say about it?

Energy And Transport Minister, Jobeth Coleby-Davis says they’re closely monitoring Trump’s policies, adding they could have impacts on our environment.

When it comes to our own energy reform, the Davis administration says it’s at the top of their agenda as they work to find ways to create clean energy and cut costs.