Speakers: Climate Programs Face Neglect Under Trump Administration

At the inaugural session of the 2025 Society of Environmental Journalists conference, experts expressed little optimism about the future as they reviewed the initial 95 days under President Donald Trump’s leadership.

Nada Wolff Culver, who previously served as the principal deputy director of the Bureau of Land Management, stated that the outlook for addressing climate change and managing the crisis remains unclear.

“There has been significant reversal of policies. The Trump administration is attempting to remove the term 'climate' from our lexicon,” Culver stated.

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At the inaugural session of the conference held in Tempe, Culver, who was among the four panelists, stated that the phrase "climate" frequently faces censorship based on which presidential administration is currently in charge.

"We won’t be having the same federal support as we’ve had previously," stated Anne Hedges, who serves as the executive director for the Montana Environmental Information Center.

The "federal backstop" she mentioned referred to the absence of backing from the federal government and upper levels of the judicial system regarding climate change issues. Culver also shared this viewpoint.

"There is reduced assurance that the courts can rescue and safeguard us," Culver stated.

Regarding uncertainty, Lena Gonzalez, who leads the California State Senate as the majority leader, commented that obtaining FEMA aid following the Palisades and Eaton fires felt like "playing a small-scale chess match."

Gonzalez stated that her efforts in the Senate to enact environmentally focused legislation addressing the climate crisis have mirrored the strategic duality of chess, which she referenced earlier. She noted that Senate Bill 1137, referred to as the Setbacks Bill, proved particularly challenging both for passage and implementation within California.

The regulation, introduced in June 2024, established a health safeguarding area exceeding 3,000 feet around communal meeting spots like residences and educational institutions.

Gonzalez stated that the bill exemplifies the type of legislation the Trump administration is striving to eliminate.

We're going to keep pushing forward with this," she stated. "Coordinated efforts across multiple states are essential for progress in the realm of energy.

Emily Fischer, who teaches at Colorado State University, expressed strong feelings about her dual roles—as an atmospheric researcher and as a parent to two kids.

“We cannot afford to lose four years of progress,” she said, referring to the Biden administration’s climate work between the first and second Trump administrations.

"Despite everything that has occurred in these last 95 days, the science remains unchanged," Fischer stated.

Hedges stated that for each step taken towards addressing and mitigating the climate crisis through solutions and coverage, there is an opposing regressive move.

“She remarked that for every action, there’s always an opposing and equivalent reaction,” prompting chuckles from the crowd.

Although all four panelists expressed enthusiasm regarding the alterations introduced by the present administration concerning their approach to tackling the climate crisis and media coverage of it, Culver suggested that researchers and journalists can collaborate effectively with the Trump administration when working on policies and implementing legislation related to this issue.

Bella Mazzilli serves as a reporter for State Press Magazine at Arizona State University and is involved with a student newsroom that receives support from The Arizona Republic.

The coverage of the Society of Environmental Journalists conference receives support from Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, and the Arizona Media Association.

The article initially appeared in the Arizona Republic. Climate initiatives may face challenges in gaining support and recognition under Trump’s administration, according to experts.