What Happened to Climate Change Efforts in 2025?

In 2025, the United States saw a sharp turnaround in climate change efforts. After years of optimism, the new administration under President Donald Trump quickly undid many environmental policies. This shift was so significant that it was given a name: greenlash. Greenlash refers to the backlash against efforts to reduce emissions. Trump's actions included rolling back environmental protections and canceling climate research. He also promoted fossil fuels while other countries invested more in renewable energy. The word “climate change” became politically sensitive. Phrases like “clean energy” and “climate science” disappeared from government websites. This trend wasn’t just in the U. S. Europe saw it too. Germany, for example, faced opposition to its plan to switch to energy-efficient heat pumps because of the cost. In the U. S. , the backlash was fueled by populism and culture wars.Despite the political shift, many Americans remained concerned about climate change. Extreme weather events, like fires in Los Angeles and floods in Texas, highlighted the growing impact of climate change. However, the focus on climate issues in politics and media decreased. The year 2025 also saw new terms like “carbon pawprint” and “rain anxiety” enter the conversation. The “carbon pawprint” refers to the environmental impact of pets, especially their meat-heavy diets. “Rain anxiety” describes the fear and stress people feel when it rains, especially after experiencing floods. Democrats tried to reframe climate policies as a way to lower energy costs. They introduced the “Cheap Energy Agenda” to appeal to voters more concerned about affordability. Meanwhile, the Trump administration focused on securing “critical minerals” needed for technology and renewable energy. The phrase “energy dominance” was used to emphasize fossil fuel production. It was seen as a way to gain leverage over other countries. The term “Green New Scam” was coined to attack climate policies, rebranding the “Green New Deal” as a conspiracy.