How the Oil Industry and Political Divides Turned Climate Change into a Partisan Issue

After four years of progress on climate action under President Joe Biden, Donald Trump’s return to the White House has swiftly reversed course. On his first day back, Trump declared a national energy emergency, directing agencies to boost oil and gas production despite the U.S. already leading the world in output. He revoked Biden’s protections for the Arctic and U.S. coasts, restarting oil and gas leasing, and began the process of withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement – a move he first made in 2017.

Source: The United Nations

Trump’s Climate Rollbacks

Trump’s actions are consistent with his long-standing skepticism of climate science. During his first term (2017-2021), he repealed the Obama-era Clean Power Plan, falsely claimed wind turbines cause cancer, and vowed to “end the war on coal.” He once dismissed climate change as a “hoax” perpetuated by China. Now, with his re-election, Trump has appointed Cabinet members who support the fossil fuel industry, signaling a return to policies that prioritize energy production over environmental concerns.

However, Trump’s stance on climate change is not an outlier within the Republican Party. The GOP’s alignment with the oil industry and opposition to climate policies predates Trump, rooted in decades of lobbying, disinformation, and political strategy.

The Oil Industry’s Role

As early as the 1950s, oil companies like Exxon, Shell, and Chevron were aware that burning fossil fuels contributed to climate change. Internal documents reveal that Exxon scientists accurately predicted global warming trends as far back as 1977. Yet, instead of addressing the issue, the industry launched a disinformation campaign to cast doubt on climate science.

By the late 1970s, oil companies began funding lobbying groups like the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the Global Climate Coalition, which spread falsehoods and opposed climate action. This strategy, borrowed from the tobacco industry, emphasized uncertainty and called for “balanced” science to sow confusion. By the time the Kyoto Protocol was signed in 1997, the oil industry had built a powerful apparatus to block climate policies, ensuring the U.S. never ratified the treaty.

Partisan Politics and Identity

The transformation of climate change into a partisan issue was fueled by the rise of red state vs. blue state politics during the 2000 election. This framing turned political affiliation into a team sport, where voters aligned with their “team” on all issues, including climate change. The fossil fuel industry capitalized on this dynamic, focusing its efforts on Republican-controlled and swing states.

Psychological and social forces further entrenched the divide. Group identity and belonging made it harder for individuals to accept evidence from outside their political tribe. For example, Senator James Inhofe’s infamous 2015 snowball stunt on the Senate floor – intended to “prove” global warming was a hoax – resonated with his base, despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary.

The Path Forward

Climate change has become deeply intertwined with cultural identity in the U.S., making bipartisan action challenging. However, there are signs of hope. Natural disasters, such as wildfires and hurricanes, have made the consequences of climate change tangible for many Americans, leading to local and regional bipartisan efforts.

Initiatives like the U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of 24 governors from both parties, and the First Movers Coalition, which includes companies working to decarbonize industries, demonstrate the potential for cross-party collaboration. Yet, these efforts remain the exception rather than the norm.

With the Trump administration rolling back climate policies and increasing greenhouse gas emissions, the need for coalition-building is more urgent than ever. Focusing on shared values, such as protecting children’s health and community safety, can help bridge the partisan divide and foster meaningful climate action.

A Global Challenge

The climate crisis is a global issue that transcends political boundaries. The past year, 2024, was the hottest on record, with extreme heatwaves and storms affecting millions worldwide. While the U.S. political landscape remains divided, the urgency of the climate crisis demands ambitious, visible, and collaborative solutions.

As the Trump administration continues to prioritize fossil fuels, the responsibility falls on individuals, communities, and businesses to lead the way in addressing climate change. By setting aside political differences and working together, we can build a sustainable future for generations to come.