BELEM, Brazil (AP) — Calling America’s absence from key United Nations climate negotiations “doubling down on stupid,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday the United States risks being left behind as an economic power.
Newsom, a Democrat eyeing a 2028 presidential run, is the highest profile of several U.S. governors and mayors at U.N. climate talks in Belem, Brazil. They assert that despite the Trump administration's rollback of environmental regulations, much of the U.S. is actively trying to combat climate change.
As he did during his first term, Trump is also withdrawing the United States from the 2015 Paris Agreement, which set international goals to limit average global temperature rise.
Newsom's presence as governor of the most populous U.S. state creates a stark contrast with Trump's absence. He highlighted that Trump's decision to skip the talks sends a message saying: “You don’t matter, we don’t care.”
Green Energy Transition and Global Competitiveness
Even traditional energy powerhouses like Russia and Saudi Arabia are recognizing the need to transition to greener practices, according to Newsom. U.N. organizers mentioned that only four nations are not participating in the COP30 negotiations, including the United States, which has contributed more heat-trapping carbon dioxide than any other nation throughout history.
California, with nearly 40 million residents, stands at the forefront of national climate policy. However, the Trump administration has consistently blocked the state's efforts to implement stricter climate regulations, notably opposing a ban on the sale of new gas-powered cars within the next decade.
“This administration and its Congress are doubling down on stupid,” Newsom remarked.
He emphasized that not engaging in the clean energy transition will ultimately lead to economic disadvantages, particularly as countries like China capitalize on the evolving energy market. “We are surrendering economic power to countries such as China, which is keenly aware of the opportunities that low carbon regrowth presents,” Newsom warned.
“This idea that we can build walls and turn our back is lunacy,” he added during an interview at the conference.
California's Climate Goals and Challenges
In California, Newsom faces significant challenges as he aims to meet the state’s ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. Legislative measures to increase oil production and navigate high gas prices demonstrate the complex balance the state attempts to maintain.
Additionally, California is grappling with increasing energy demands from the tech sector, necessitating an extended operation of its last nuclear plant, increased solar power generation, and investments in nuclear fusion.
“I am privileged to represent one of the most blessed and cursed states on the frontlines of climate change,” he said, referencing California’s growing environmental challenges, including fires, floods, and droughts.
Climate change is undeniable, according to Newsom. He cited observable changes, emphasizing that ignoring scientific evidence jeopardizes not just the environment but also the fabric of communities: homes lost to fires, diminished recreation areas, and disappearing family traditions.
As negotiations at COP30 continue, the impact of U.S. leadership and its implications for climate action remain a central theme, with many hoping that local leaders can provide a counterweight to federal inaction.
