What in the World, What in the World, Trump vs Climate: The Showdown

What in the World

What in the World

Trump vs Climate: The Showdown

16 February 2026

12 minutes

Available for over a year

President Trump isn’t a big believer in climate change - he’s called it a ‘hoax’ and ‘con job’ in the past. But last week saw one of his boldest moves against US climate policy since becoming president - the termination of the endangerment finding. It’s a ruling that was made in 2009, when Barack Obama was in the White House, and it’s served as the legal basis for lots of other regulations aiming to cut pollution since then. So, it looks like Trump is locked in a showdown with climate policy… but what could this hold for the future?

In this episode, we explain exactly what the ruling is, why Trump has decided to revoke it, and what this could mean for you.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk

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Presenter: Iqra Farooq

Producers: Emily Horler and Chelsea Coates

Editor: Verity Wilde


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