US Energy Secretary downplays climate risk as Washington seeks EU Gas Deals
Chris Wright, the U.S. Energy secretary, downplayed climate change risks on Thursday as he promoted Washington’s return to a “commonsense policy” while the Trump Administration worked to increase oil and gas exports to Europe and other allied countries. Wright spoke with reporters in Brussels after he met the European Union energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen. U.S. Doug Burgum, the Interior Secretary of the United States, was also in Europe last week to sign energy deals. Washington is hoping that these agreements will increase its influence in Europe while reducing Russia's. Wright stated that fossil fuels provide stable energy, and the risks are outweighed by the benefits. He added that the United States is reducing renewables such as offshore windfarms because of the increase in natural gas production.
His remarks reflect how far the Trump administration is from the United Nations and global scientists, as well as the EU which has placed emission targets at the forefront of policymaking.
Although natural gas is cleaner than coal, it still emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide from smokestacks and methane from leaks.
Wright questioned climate change's urgency and its impact on the human life.
He said: "We're struggling to figure out what climate change is doing to increase the risks for humans." "A warmer and wetter planet is better for growing crops."
Wright, despite global evidence to suggest otherwise, said that there was no upwards or downwards trend in the frequency extreme weather events. He also claimed that the protections provided by petrochemicals such as clothing and heat meant that deaths due to such events have decreased over time. After a torrential downpour in Texas in July, more than 100 people died in the floods. This included children from a summer camp. Scientists have warned that the threat of extreme rainfall is on the rise due to global warming. Swiss Re reported in April that the total loss from natural disasters, not just climate-related, and those not covered by insurance amounted to $318 billion dollars in 2024. This is up from $292 in 2023. It's also significantly higher than longer-term averages. Climate change was cited as a factor in "compounding" losses.
The impact of hydrocarbons has, in my opinion, been much greater on making lives safer, longer and healthier. The consumption of hydrocarbons is causing some global warming. But does the overall impact endanger human life? Wright said.
David Doniger is a senior lawyer at the Natural Resources Defence Council in New York. He said that the secretary should be the one to lead the way towards a cleaner energy supply, which can achieve economic goals without damaging the climate.
Doniger said, "The secretary for energy should not be an advocate of one type of energy to Americans or the rest of world." (Reporting and editing by Julia Payne, Timothy Gardner)
(source: Reuters)