As I try to wipe off the dirt from last week’s election, I’m left with multiple stains that seem like they may not go away, at least for a while. One of those is the ever-increasing effects of global warming on the Earth and its inhabitants.

The compelling data proving climate change is vast, encompassing a range of scientific, economic and health-related evidence. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has provided extensive assessments indicating that human activities, particularly burning fossil fuels, are the primary drivers of climate change, leading to observable increases in global temperatures and shifts in precipitation patterns. These changes have profound implications for ecosystems and human societies, as evidenced by rising sea levels, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and alterations in agricultural productivity.

Health impacts associated with climate change are increasingly documented, with evidence suggesting that rising temperatures and extreme weather events contribute to a higher burden of climate-sensitive disease. For example, the World Health Organization estimates that climate change is responsible for approximately 7 million deaths annually due to air pollution exacerbated by climate-related factors. Furthermore, the health risks posed by climate change disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, necessitating urgent adaptation and mitigation strategies.

The scientific evidence linking the burning of fossil fuels to climate change is extensive and well-documented across various studies and reports. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the rapid increase in CO2 concentrations since the industrial era is largely attributable to fossil fuel combustion, which has led to a marked rise in global temperatures and altered climate patterns. Research indicates that fossil fuel use is the dominant source of CO2 emissions, accounting for a significant portion of global emissions, surpassing those from deforestation and land-use changes since around 1950.

The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, is the landmark international treaty aimed at combating climate change and its impacts. The central aim is to keep the global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels while pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The 10 warmest years on record have all occurred since 2014, with 2023 topping this list. Berkeley Earth reported that 2023 was 1.54 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average (1850-1900), marking the first time a year exceeded the 1.5°C threshold.

A reminder that the last time Donald Trump was president, his administration’s approach to global warming was characterized by a significant shift away from previous environmental policies, prioritizing economic growth and energy independence over climate change mitigation. This included withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Announced in June 2017 and officially completed in November 2020, this move signaled a dramatic shift in U.S. climate policy on the international stage. Not only did this reduce the United States’ commitment to international climate efforts, it influenced other countries’ climate policies and signaled the administration’s prioritization of domestic economic interests.

The Trump administration implemented an extensive deregulation agenda, rolling back over 100 environmental regulations, many of which were directly related to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. The Obama-era Clean Power Plan, designed to reduce carbon emissions from power plants, was replaced with the less stringent Affordable Clean Energy rule. This new rule provided states with more flexibility to set their own emissions standards for coal-fired power plants, effectively weakening federal oversight on carbon emissions.

The administration significantly relaxed the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, which set fuel efficiency targets for cars and light trucks. Regulations on methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, were substantially rolled back. The Trump administration actively promoted fossil fuel development as part of its “energy dominance” agenda. The Trump administration made significant changes to key environmental agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy which shifted toward promoting fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas, as part of its energy strategy.

The Trump administration’s first-term approach to climate science was marked by skepticism and active suppression of scientific information. This influenced other countries’ climate commitments and actions.

The devastating effects of changing climate can only be reversed through increased government and citizen commitment. The upcoming Trump administration may set us on the road to climate catastrophe. We need to dig in and fight. You or I may not be affected by the Trump administration’s anticipated ignorance, but our children and grandchildren certainly will.

A.J. Russo is a retired biology professor from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and has also taught at Drew University and Hartwick College. He is the research director of the Mensah Medical Research Institute in Warrenville, Illinois.