Contrasting Climate Change Strategies: The Political and Psychological Perspectives of Trump and Biden's Approaches

Abstract

The climate change strategy of former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden can be compared and assessed by both political and psychological outcomes. During the years under Trump, climate policies involved a persistent denial and repudiation of most mainstream climate science, in which significant efforts were implemented for rolling back environmental laws and regulations, withdrawal of Paris Agreement, and mainly advocating fossil fuel industries. Increased doubt and skepticism about the severity of climate change in the United States and throughout the world resulted from these programs' intense political controversy and broad criticism from environmentalists and foreign leaders. By re-entering the Paris Agreement, pledging to meet aggressive renewable energy targets, and positioning climate action as a public health necessity, Biden's government, on the other hand, has made climate change a top priority. It will describe how Trump's denial and deregulation of climate policy have filled the environment with anger, powerlessness, and fear for environmentalists and the general public. However, Biden's more expansive and assertive climate plan generates a sense of urgency, responsibility, and hope among environmental activists and young Americans. This study explores the influence of leaders on public opinion about climate change, thereby taking the psychological approach regarding climate action from global to local political issue. This paper analyzes what follows from the difference between encouragement and discouragement of the government from promoting group work toward solving climate issues by affecting public trust and participation in policy processes. This research also identifies the connection between social forces and prevailing trends of change.