Daud Olatunji
United States President, Donald Trump, has once again sparked global outrage after dismissing climate change as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.”
Speaking on Tuesday at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Trump lashed out at global efforts to combat climate change, insisting that climate science was flawed and economically damaging.
“It’s the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world, in my opinion,” Trump declared. “All of these predictions made by the United Nations and many others, often for bad reasons, were wrong. They were made by stupid people that have cost their countries fortunes.”
The American president warned that the European Union’s aggressive push for a carbon-neutral future and heavy investment in renewable energy would backfire economically. Instead, he urged nations to embrace “energy dominance” through oil, gas, coal, and nuclear power, while dismissing renewable energy projects as “unsustainable.”
Trump’s remarks reinforced his long-standing opposition to international climate agreements. His administration had earlier pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 Paris Agreement, a landmark global pact signed by 195 countries to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The withdrawal placed America in the company of Yemen, Iran, and Libya, the only countries outside the accord.
His speech came just a day before UN Secretary-General António Guterres is set to host a global climate summit expected to unveil new national action plans to cut emissions and avert catastrophic warming.
Scientists, however, have continued to warn that climate change is real, largely driven by human activity, and worsening. From record heatwaves and stronger storms to severe droughts and flooding, the signs are evident across continents. Nigeria, for instance, has battled devastating floods in recent years, while Southern Africa endured a crippling drought in 2024.
The United Nations has consistently cautioned that delaying climate action will expose the planet to far-reaching consequences, including food insecurity, displacement, and rising death tolls from extreme weather events.
Trump’s controversial remarks are likely to deepen divisions at the UN gathering, with climate action advocates expected to push back strongly during the upcoming summit.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
