1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,800 Welcome back to Meteorology Matters. 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:04,480 You know it's fascinating. 3 00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:07,080 Even though former President Biden 4 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:09,760 tried to limit oil and gas drilling, 5 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:11,840 America actually produced more oil 6 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:14,040 than ever before while he was in office. 7 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:15,280 Crazy, right? 8 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:18,340 Now that President Trump is back in the White House, 9 00:00:18,340 --> 00:00:21,720 we're taking a look at what Biden did for the environment 10 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:25,000 and what might change now that there's a new administration. 11 00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:29,360 What's his environmental legacy and will it last? 12 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:31,400 Well, it's a mixed bag for sure 13 00:00:31,400 --> 00:00:34,200 and President Trump's ideas about climate change 14 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:36,920 and energy are pretty different from Biden's. 15 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:37,760 Yeah, they are. 16 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:38,600 So, yeah. 17 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:39,880 So where do we even begin with all this? 18 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:42,440 Well, Biden did a lot to protect our land and water, 19 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:43,560 that's for sure. 20 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:46,320 He also spent a lot of time trying to undo the changes 21 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:48,080 that the previous Trump administration 22 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:50,080 made to environmental rules. 23 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:51,800 So it's almost like they were playing tug of war 24 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:52,640 with the environment. 25 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:53,480 Exactly. 26 00:00:53,480 --> 00:00:54,960 Right, one pulling this way, the other pulling that way. 27 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:58,920 Exactly, and we can see that play out in a few key areas. 28 00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:01,240 How we deal with climate change 29 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:03,880 and air pollution drilling for oil and gas, 30 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:06,800 keeping our chemicals safe, protecting natural areas, 31 00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:09,480 and deciding what happens with offshore drilling 32 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:10,880 in the Gulf of Mexico. 33 00:01:10,880 --> 00:01:14,640 Okay, so those are the battlegrounds, so to speak. 34 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:16,960 But President Trump has already hinted 35 00:01:16,960 --> 00:01:19,560 that he wants to change a lot of what Biden did. 36 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:21,960 Is that even possible? 37 00:01:21,960 --> 00:01:24,680 I mean, it seems like it could turn into a legal mess. 38 00:01:24,680 --> 00:01:28,040 Oh, you better believe there will be some legal fights. 39 00:01:28,040 --> 00:01:30,600 Let's start with climate change and air pollution. 40 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:33,240 Under Biden, the Environmental Protection Agency, 41 00:01:33,240 --> 00:01:35,640 you know, the EPA, they made stricter rules 42 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:38,400 about greenhouse gases coming from cars and power plants. 43 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:40,040 Right, those rules are supposed to help us 44 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:42,000 avoid the worst effects of climate change, right? 45 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:44,320 Exactly, but President Trump might try 46 00:01:44,320 --> 00:01:46,000 to get rid of those rules. 47 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:47,160 It won't be easy though. 48 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:49,360 States and environmental groups will probably sue 49 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:51,080 to keep the rules in place. 50 00:01:51,080 --> 00:01:53,800 Plus, some car companies have put so much money 51 00:01:53,800 --> 00:01:55,200 into building electric vehicles 52 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:57,440 that they might not want to go back to the old ways. 53 00:01:57,440 --> 00:01:58,360 That's interesting. 54 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:00,520 It's like the car industry is on a different track now. 55 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:01,360 Yeah. 56 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:02,400 And they can't just switch back so easily. 57 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:03,520 You got it. 58 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:05,520 And one rule to watch carefully 59 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:07,720 is the one about power plants. 60 00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:09,880 Trump has said he wants to get rid of it completely 61 00:02:09,880 --> 00:02:12,400 and that could be a huge deal for those power plants 62 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:14,040 that still burn coal. 63 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:15,960 It sounds like this rule is really at the heart 64 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:17,640 of the fight over climate change. 65 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:20,320 What about the science though? 66 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:23,200 Can legal challenges based on scientific evidence 67 00:02:23,200 --> 00:02:25,800 actually stop Trump from changing these rules? 68 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:26,920 It's possible. 69 00:02:26,920 --> 00:02:29,160 The courts could have a big say in what happens. 70 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:30,800 Remember, it's not just about politics. 71 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:33,600 It's about what the law says and what the science shows. 72 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:35,440 Okay, that makes sense. 73 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:37,680 Now onto something that seems a bit puzzling. 74 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:38,600 Okay. 75 00:02:38,600 --> 00:02:42,080 Oil production in the US reached record highs under Biden, 76 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:44,960 even though his administration was trying to limit drilling. 77 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:46,440 How is that possible? 78 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:48,240 Well, President Trump has been criticizing 79 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:50,240 Biden's energy policies from the start. 80 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:52,800 He wants to make America energy dominant again, 81 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:54,760 which basically means drilling more. 82 00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:58,200 So does that mean opening up more federal lands to drilling? 83 00:02:58,200 --> 00:03:01,160 Places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, 84 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:02,960 you know, ANWR, I know that's been 85 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:04,520 a controversial topic for years. 86 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:06,640 That's definitely on the table. 87 00:03:06,640 --> 00:03:09,080 But we can't just ignore the environmental impact 88 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:12,320 of drilling more, especially in place like ANWR+. 89 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:14,120 Oil companies already have a bunch of permits 90 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:15,080 they haven't even used yet. 91 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:17,480 They might not be so eager to drill in new areas. 92 00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:19,920 Why wouldn't they want to drill if they have the permits? 93 00:03:19,920 --> 00:03:22,520 Well, the oil market can be pretty unpredictable. 94 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:26,080 And there's been a big push for cleaner energy sources. 95 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:28,000 It's a complex situation for those companies. 96 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:31,080 Plus, they actually want some rules about methane emissions 97 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:34,480 because it helps them be more efficient and not waste gas. 98 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:36,800 So there's actually some agreement there. 99 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:37,960 Who would have thought? 100 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:39,560 It seems like there's a lot more nuance to this 101 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:42,040 than just drill more or drill less. 102 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:43,040 Exactly. 103 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:44,200 It's never that simple. 104 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:45,360 You know, before we go any further, 105 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:47,560 I want to remind everyone to follow meteorologist 106 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:49,320 Rob Jones on social media. 107 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:50,640 He breaks down all this stuff 108 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:52,760 in a way that's easy to understand. 109 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:54,200 You can find him on Instagram at 110 00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:57,880 at meteorologists, TikTok at TV meteorologists, 111 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:00,840 and on YouTube at at Rob Jones Hurricane. 112 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:02,040 He even has a playlist there 113 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:03,560 for our podcast meteorology matter. 114 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:04,880 So be sure to check it out. 115 00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:07,280 All right, let's move on to chemical safety. 116 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:10,120 The EPA under Biden did a lot to ban 117 00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:12,800 or restrict some really harmful chemicals. 118 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:16,680 Asbestos, lead, PFAS, those forever chemicals 119 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:17,520 that you hear so much about. 120 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:18,360 Right. 121 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:19,400 But I've read about those forever chemicals. 122 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:20,240 Yeah. 123 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:21,640 And I think it's a good idea to go away, which is scary. 124 00:04:21,640 --> 00:04:24,080 But I imagine the EPA faced a lot of opposition 125 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:26,120 from industries when they tried to ban these chemicals. 126 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:27,040 Oh, absolutely. 127 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:29,360 Banning toxic chemicals is always a fight. 128 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:31,000 There's a lot of pushback from the companies 129 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:32,840 that make them and the process for banning them 130 00:04:32,840 --> 00:04:35,040 is really complicated. 131 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:36,920 Plus, we've got a new player in the game now, 132 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:39,080 Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is Trump's pick 133 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:41,960 to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. 134 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:44,000 He's got some strong opinions about these chemicals too. 135 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:44,840 That's right. 136 00:04:44,840 --> 00:04:47,480 He's been very vocal about public health. 137 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:50,880 Do you think he'll try to change what the EPA has already done? 138 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:53,240 It's hard to say for sure, but he can definitely 139 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:54,240 shake things up. 140 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:56,720 Now let's talk about conservation. 141 00:04:56,720 --> 00:05:00,280 Biden wanted to protect 30% of America's lands and waters 142 00:05:00,280 --> 00:05:03,840 by 2030, his 30 by 30 goal. 143 00:05:03,840 --> 00:05:06,520 He also created and expanded some national monuments, 144 00:05:06,520 --> 00:05:09,400 which protects millions of acres from development. 145 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:10,400 Seems like a lot. 146 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:12,320 It was a big step, especially compared 147 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:14,880 to what happened under the previous Trump administration, 148 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:19,160 which shrunk some national monuments, particularly in Utah. 149 00:05:19,160 --> 00:05:21,760 So you've got these two very different approaches 150 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:22,760 to conservation. 151 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:25,000 And it's going to be interesting to see how it plays out. 152 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:27,800 It sounds like we're back to that tug of war again. 153 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:30,320 But I'm guessing it's more than just a difference of opinion, 154 00:05:30,320 --> 00:05:30,820 right? 155 00:05:30,820 --> 00:05:33,600 There are probably legal questions 156 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:36,920 about whether a president can just create or change 157 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:38,320 national monuments like that. 158 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:39,000 Absolutely. 159 00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:40,640 There are definitely legal questions 160 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:42,640 about how much power the president actually 161 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:44,440 has when it comes to national monuments. 162 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:47,000 This could even end up going all the way to the Supreme Court. 163 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:48,520 Wow, that's a big deal. 164 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:50,440 But even beyond the legal stuff, I 165 00:05:50,440 --> 00:05:53,080 imagine there's a lot of tension between wanting 166 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:55,920 to protect these areas and the people who 167 00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:58,560 want to use them for things like logging or mining. 168 00:05:58,560 --> 00:05:59,400 You're absolutely right. 169 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:02,000 It's a tough balance to strike between conservation 170 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:04,120 and economic interests, especially in places 171 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:06,440 where there are a lot of natural resources. 172 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:09,880 All right, let's move on to our last topic for this section, 173 00:06:09,880 --> 00:06:13,640 offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. 174 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:16,400 Biden's administration came up with a plan, 175 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:19,760 but it only allows for a very limited amount of drilling. 176 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:22,640 In fact, it's the smallest offshore drilling plan in history. 177 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:23,200 That's right. 178 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:25,000 And it caused a lot of controversy. 179 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:26,600 Environmental groups were happy about it, 180 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:29,840 but the oil industry and some lawmakers were not. 181 00:06:29,840 --> 00:06:32,120 They argued that it would hurt our energy independence 182 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:33,480 and kill jobs. 183 00:06:33,480 --> 00:06:34,880 So what happens now? 184 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:37,080 With the Republican-controlled Congress, 185 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:40,800 will they try to overturn this plan and allow more drilling, 186 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:43,760 especially with the possibility of those tax cuts expiring? 187 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:45,120 That's definitely a possibility. 188 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:46,800 Congress has a lot of power over what 189 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:48,600 happens with offshore drilling, and they 190 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:51,160 might try to use that power to push for more drilling. 191 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:53,720 They can even link it to the budget or tax negotiations. 192 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:55,640 So it's like using the budget as leverage 193 00:06:55,640 --> 00:06:57,320 to get what they want on offshore drilling. 194 00:06:57,320 --> 00:06:58,520 That's one way to look at it. 195 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:00,840 It just shows how complex these issues really are 196 00:07:00,840 --> 00:07:02,600 and how environmental policy is often 197 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:04,800 intertwined with other political priorities. 198 00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:05,720 Wow. 199 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:07,920 It's like we're peeling back the layers of an onion. 200 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:11,640 And each layer reveals another layer of complexity. 201 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:12,880 Absolutely. 202 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:15,080 Welcome back to Meteorology Matters. 203 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:17,960 We're digging into what Biden did for the environment 204 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:20,520 and what might change now that Trump is back in the White 205 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:21,280 House. 206 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:24,240 It seems like every decision has these ripple effects, right? 207 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:26,720 You change one thing, and it impacts everything else. 208 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:27,400 Absolutely. 209 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:28,800 Everything's connected. 210 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:31,640 Remember how we were talking about drilling and methane? 211 00:07:31,640 --> 00:07:34,440 Well, Biden's administration finalized a rule 212 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:37,640 to limit methane leaks from oil and gas operations 213 00:07:37,640 --> 00:07:38,680 on public lands. 214 00:07:38,680 --> 00:07:39,640 Oh, right. 215 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:42,680 Methane is a really powerful greenhouse gas, 216 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:46,320 even worse than carbon dioxide when it comes to trapping heat. 217 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:49,240 So stopping those leaks seems like a big deal for the climate. 218 00:07:49,240 --> 00:07:50,520 You are absolutely right. 219 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:51,960 This rule, which was put in place 220 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:54,040 by the Bureau of Land Management, 221 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:57,520 tries to encourage companies to capture that methane instead 222 00:07:57,520 --> 00:07:59,240 of just letting it escape into the atmosphere. 223 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:01,120 It's good for the environment and could even 224 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:03,160 help those companies make more money, right? 225 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:05,240 I mean, captured methane is basically natural gas 226 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:05,880 they can sell. 227 00:08:05,880 --> 00:08:06,680 Exactly. 228 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:08,880 But this is where things get a little tricky 229 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:10,360 with the new administration. 230 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:11,440 How so? 231 00:08:11,440 --> 00:08:13,920 I thought Trump was all about energy dominance. 232 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:16,120 Wouldn't capturing more methane actually help with that? 233 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:17,480 That's a good question. 234 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:19,560 Trump has said he wants to cut back on regulations 235 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:22,160 that he thinks are holding back the energy industry. 236 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:23,720 He might see this methane rule as one 237 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:25,200 of those unnecessary burdens. 238 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:26,360 Hmm. 239 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:28,440 But that seems a bit contradictory, doesn't it? 240 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:30,360 If you want more American energy, 241 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:33,000 why not make sure we're capturing as much natural gas 242 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:34,120 as possible? 243 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:35,840 Well, the oil and gas industry has actually 244 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:38,800 been supportive of methane regulations in the past. 245 00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:41,480 They see it as a way to be more efficient and reduce waste, 246 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:43,880 which can help their bottom line. 247 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:46,600 So it's possible that this is one area where there might 248 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:49,280 be some agreement between the two administrations. 249 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:51,120 That would be a nice change. 250 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:53,320 It's good to know that even in this politically charged 251 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:56,560 atmosphere, there's still room for common sense solutions. 252 00:08:56,560 --> 00:08:57,360 Absolutely. 253 00:08:57,360 --> 00:08:58,960 Let's not forget that finding solutions 254 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:01,520 requires looking at all sides of the issue. 255 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:05,320 OK, let's shift gears and talk about what happened in Alaska. 256 00:09:05,320 --> 00:09:07,280 Biden took steps to protect millions 257 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:10,800 of acres of public lands from drilling and mining, 258 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:13,440 specifically in an area called D1 lands. 259 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:13,920 Right. 260 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:16,480 These lands are super important for Alaska 261 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:19,600 native communities for wildlife and for preserving 262 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:24,360 some of those amazing wild places that Alaska is known for. 263 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:26,720 Yeah, I can see why protecting those lands 264 00:09:26,720 --> 00:09:29,560 would be a big deal for so many people. 265 00:09:29,560 --> 00:09:32,080 But I'm guessing not everyone was happy about it. 266 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:32,480 You're right. 267 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:34,160 There was definitely pushback. 268 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:36,440 Remember how the previous Trump administration wanted 269 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:38,920 to open up those areas for development? 270 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:40,560 They tried to reverse the protections, 271 00:09:40,560 --> 00:09:42,840 but they didn't manage to finalize those changes 272 00:09:42,840 --> 00:09:44,080 before leaving office. 273 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:46,480 So Biden's actions basically put those protections back 274 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:47,000 in place, right? 275 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:47,920 Exactly. 276 00:09:47,920 --> 00:09:50,560 And it sets the stage for another potential showdown 277 00:09:50,560 --> 00:09:52,240 with the new administration. 278 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:54,760 Do you think Trump will try to reverse those protections again 279 00:09:54,760 --> 00:09:56,000 now that he's back in office? 280 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:57,680 It's certainly a possibility. 281 00:09:57,680 --> 00:09:59,600 Remember, he's been very vocal about wanting 282 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,200 to increase energy production on federal lands. 283 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:04,280 And Alaska, with all its oil and gas reserves, 284 00:10:04,280 --> 00:10:06,000 is a prime target for that. 285 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:08,880 Yeah, I can see how that would create a real dilemma. 286 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:11,280 On one hand, you have the potential economic benefits 287 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:12,840 of drilling, but on the other hand, 288 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:14,880 you have the environmental impact 289 00:10:14,880 --> 00:10:16,760 and the concerns of indigenous communities 290 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:18,120 who rely on those lands. 291 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:20,080 It's a classic example of the tension 292 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:23,320 between economic development and environmental protection. 293 00:10:23,320 --> 00:10:25,560 And it seems like we keep coming back to that tension. 294 00:10:25,560 --> 00:10:28,320 It's a recurring theme in environmental policy. 295 00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:30,320 And it's something that we'll probably continue to grapple 296 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:32,800 with for years to come. 297 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:35,360 Speaking of recurring themes, we also 298 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:37,760 have to talk about that offshore drilling plan 299 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:38,960 in the Gulf of Mexico. 300 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:40,840 Right, Biden's plan was super limited, 301 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:44,560 with only three lease sales plan through 2029. 302 00:10:44,560 --> 00:10:47,520 That's a tiny fraction of what we've seen in the past. 303 00:10:47,520 --> 00:10:49,400 That's why it sparked so much debate. 304 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:52,280 Environmental groups were thrilled, but the oil industry 305 00:10:52,280 --> 00:10:54,520 and some lawmakers were furious. 306 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:56,960 They argued that it would hurt our energy independence 307 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:58,560 and lead to job losses. 308 00:10:58,560 --> 00:11:00,160 So what do you think will happen now? 309 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:02,000 Will this Republican-controlled Congress 310 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:04,200 try to push for more offshore drilling? 311 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:05,680 It's certainly a possibility. 312 00:11:05,680 --> 00:11:07,560 They could try to pass legislation 313 00:11:07,560 --> 00:11:11,080 that requires more lease sales, maybe even tying it 314 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:14,280 to things like the budget or tax policy. 315 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:16,400 So it's like using the budget as leverage 316 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:18,320 to get what they want on offshore drilling. 317 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:19,560 That's one way to look at it. 318 00:11:19,560 --> 00:11:21,960 It just shows how complex these issues really are 319 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:24,680 and how environmental policy is often intertwined 320 00:11:24,680 --> 00:11:26,240 with other political priorities. 321 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:29,720 Wow, it's like we're peeling back the layers of an onion 322 00:11:29,720 --> 00:11:32,560 and each layer reveals another layer of complexity. 323 00:11:32,560 --> 00:11:33,600 It's true. 324 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:34,880 And we haven't even touched on some 325 00:11:34,880 --> 00:11:36,960 of the more localized environmental issues 326 00:11:36,960 --> 00:11:39,040 that Biden tackled, like protecting 327 00:11:39,040 --> 00:11:42,600 specific rivers and lakes or trying to improve air quality 328 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:43,440 in cities. 329 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:45,680 It's a reminder that environmental policy isn't just 330 00:11:45,680 --> 00:11:47,960 about these big national decisions. 331 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:49,720 It's also about what happens in our own backyards 332 00:11:49,720 --> 00:11:50,800 and our communities. 333 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:51,800 Exactly. 334 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:54,440 And sometimes those local issues can be even more contentious 335 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:58,040 because they directly impact people's lives and livelihoods. 336 00:11:58,040 --> 00:11:59,800 It's fascinating how this deep dive 337 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:04,160 into Biden's environmental legacy is revealing not just 338 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:08,080 what he did, but also the deeper tensions and trade-offs 339 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:10,440 that are always present when we try 340 00:12:10,440 --> 00:12:12,560 to balance environmental protection 341 00:12:12,560 --> 00:12:14,040 with economic development. 342 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:17,400 It's a constant balancing act, and there's no easy answer. 343 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:20,120 Before we move on to talk about the potential legal battles 344 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:22,760 that could erupt over these policy changes, 345 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:24,000 let's take a moment to acknowledge 346 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:27,240 what Biden achieved in the realm of conservation. 347 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:27,880 You're right. 348 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:30,080 He really made his mark on protecting public lands 349 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:30,880 and waters. 350 00:12:30,880 --> 00:12:33,360 Creating those new national monuments and restoring 351 00:12:33,360 --> 00:12:35,200 protections that had been rolled back, 352 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:36,600 that's a significant legacy. 353 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:38,000 It definitely is. 354 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:39,840 But as we've been discussing the question now 355 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:42,000 is how much of that legacy will survive 356 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:43,760 under this new political landscape? 357 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:44,920 That's the big question, and it's 358 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:47,560 one that we'll be exploring in the next part of our Meteorology 359 00:12:47,560 --> 00:12:48,760 Matters podcast. 360 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:50,720 Welcome back to Meteorology Matters. 361 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:52,240 We've been talking about all the stuff 362 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:54,920 former President Biden did for the environment 363 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:58,760 and how things might change now that President Trump's back 364 00:12:58,760 --> 00:12:59,280 in charge. 365 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:02,360 And it seems like we can't talk about any of this 366 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:05,000 without thinking about the legal battles that are probably 367 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:05,560 going to happen. 368 00:13:05,560 --> 00:13:06,240 Oh, yeah. 369 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:07,680 You're absolutely right. 370 00:13:07,680 --> 00:13:09,480 Lawsuits are basically guaranteed 371 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:12,480 when you've got such a big shift in environmental policy. 372 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:15,880 Remember, we've got this system of checks and balances, 373 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:18,720 and the courts are a huge part of that. 374 00:13:18,720 --> 00:13:21,240 So where do you think those legal challenges will pop up? 375 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:23,600 And we've talked about drilling permits and air pollution 376 00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:25,360 regulations, all that stuff. 377 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:28,520 What are the biggest legal issues that could actually come up? 378 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:31,360 Well, one of the most important areas to watch 379 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:35,840 is the EPA's power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. 380 00:13:35,840 --> 00:13:40,240 That was like the cornerstone of Biden's whole climate agenda, 381 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:43,040 using the EPA to put stricter rules in place 382 00:13:43,040 --> 00:13:44,640 for power plants and cars. 383 00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:46,400 Right, because those are two of the biggest sources 384 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:48,280 of greenhouse gases, and those gases are what's 385 00:13:48,280 --> 00:13:49,360 driving climate change. 386 00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:50,080 Exactly. 387 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:52,480 But the legal basis for those EPA regulations 388 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:54,040 has been challenged before. 389 00:13:54,040 --> 00:13:54,640 Oh, really? 390 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:56,280 And it's probably going to be challenged again now 391 00:13:56,280 --> 00:13:57,320 that Trump is in office. 392 00:13:57,320 --> 00:13:59,800 So are you saying this could end up in the Supreme Court? 393 00:13:59,800 --> 00:14:01,480 Oh, it's definitely possible. 394 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:04,720 And the outcome of a Supreme Court case like that 395 00:14:04,720 --> 00:14:07,520 could completely change how we deal with climate change 396 00:14:07,520 --> 00:14:08,640 here in the US. 397 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:11,160 Wow, that's a lot of pressure on the Supreme Court. 398 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:13,320 It just shows how everything's connected. 399 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:16,840 The politics, the law, the science, it's all tied together. 400 00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:17,960 You're exactly right. 401 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:20,040 And speaking of science, another area 402 00:14:20,040 --> 00:14:22,160 where we could see some legal challenges 403 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:25,200 is the protection of endangered species. 404 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:28,040 Remember, Biden's administration reversed some 405 00:14:28,040 --> 00:14:31,440 of those Trump-era changes that weakened protections 406 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:32,440 for certain species. 407 00:14:32,440 --> 00:14:35,000 Right, it seems like those endangered species listings 408 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:36,400 are always causing problems. 409 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:37,600 Oh, you're telling me. 410 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:39,360 We can definitely expect pushback 411 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:41,440 from all those industry groups and landowners 412 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:43,480 who say that protecting these species just 413 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:44,760 hurts their businesses. 414 00:14:44,760 --> 00:14:48,600 So more lawsuits, more court battles, and potentially 415 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:50,600 years of legal arguing. 416 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:52,080 Yeah, it's a long process. 417 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:53,720 And it can be frustrating, but that's just 418 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:55,200 how our legal system works. 419 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:58,400 It's designed so that everybody gets to have their say, 420 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:00,920 and those big decisions are made really carefully. 421 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:02,040 OK, I get it. 422 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:03,840 It's not always pretty, but it's important 423 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:05,320 to have those legal safeguards. 424 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:08,000 But even beyond the specific legal challenges, 425 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:09,760 what about just the overall approach 426 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:11,120 to environmental enforcement? 427 00:15:11,120 --> 00:15:12,880 Like, will the Trump administration 428 00:15:12,880 --> 00:15:16,520 be as aggressive as Biden's was in going after companies 429 00:15:16,520 --> 00:15:18,800 or people who break environmental laws? 430 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:19,800 That's a good question. 431 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:22,520 Will we see a more laid-back approach 432 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:25,560 with more emphasis on voluntary compliance, 433 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:27,520 or are they going to really come down 434 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:29,160 hard on the rule breakers? 435 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:32,120 I guess we'll have to see, but how much they enforce the rules 436 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:34,400 can really determine if the regulations are actually 437 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:34,880 effective. 438 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:36,200 Right, it's one thing to have a rule in a book, 439 00:15:36,200 --> 00:15:37,760 but it's another thing to actually make sure 440 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:38,720 people follow it. 441 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:40,160 I bet environmental groups are going 442 00:15:40,160 --> 00:15:41,680 to be keeping a close eye on this. 443 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:42,520 Oh, absolutely. 444 00:15:42,520 --> 00:15:44,320 But let's not forget about public opinion. 445 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:45,520 That plays a huge role, too. 446 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:47,760 All this awareness about climate change 447 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:49,280 and other environmental issues, it's 448 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:51,320 grown so much in recent years. 449 00:15:51,320 --> 00:15:53,680 And that puts pressure on the people in charge 450 00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:55,080 to actually do something. 451 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:56,200 Yeah, I agree. 452 00:15:56,200 --> 00:15:57,520 It seems like more and more people 453 00:15:57,520 --> 00:15:59,400 are worried about the environment, 454 00:15:59,400 --> 00:16:01,240 and they're not afraid to say something about it. 455 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:02,000 Exactly. 456 00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:04,880 But public opinion can change so quickly, 457 00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:06,920 and it's shaped by what we see in the news, 458 00:16:06,920 --> 00:16:09,840 how the economy is doing, what politicians are saying. 459 00:16:09,840 --> 00:16:11,440 The Trump administration is definitely 460 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:13,640 going to try and sway people's opinions 461 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:15,120 on environmental issues. 462 00:16:15,120 --> 00:16:17,160 So it's a battle for hearts and minds, not just 463 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:19,000 in the courts and Congress, but also 464 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:20,760 in the media and among everyday people. 465 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:21,560 Exactly. 466 00:16:21,560 --> 00:16:23,400 That's why it's so important for everyone 467 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:26,240 to stay informed, have those conversations, 468 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:27,600 and make their voices heard. 469 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:30,080 We can't just sit around and let other people decide 470 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:31,600 the future of our environment. 471 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:33,040 That's a good point. 472 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:35,200 Well, we've definitely covered a lot in our look 473 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:38,880 into Biden's environmental legacy, what he did, 474 00:16:38,880 --> 00:16:40,240 the challenges that are coming up, 475 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:43,600 and the possibility of some serious legal and political 476 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:44,720 fights. 477 00:16:44,720 --> 00:16:47,200 It's definitely a complicated and constantly changing 478 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:48,000 situation. 479 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:50,880 It really is, but one thing is clear. 480 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:53,000 The decisions that are made over the next few years 481 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,280 are going to have a huge impact on the health of our planet 482 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:56,840 and the generations to come. 483 00:16:56,840 --> 00:16:58,440 We all have a part to play. 484 00:16:58,440 --> 00:17:01,280 Absolutely, as we try to figure out this whole thing. 485 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:03,040 We have to rely on the science. 486 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:05,840 We have to listen to each other, even when we disagree. 487 00:17:05,840 --> 00:17:08,040 And we've got to be willing to talk and work together. 488 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:09,840 That's the only way we're going to find solutions 489 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:11,000 that work for everyone. 490 00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:12,560 I couldn't agree more. 491 00:17:12,560 --> 00:17:15,000 So as we wrap up this episode of Meteorology Matters, 492 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:16,200 we'll leave you with this. 493 00:17:16,200 --> 00:17:18,040 What role will you play in shaping 494 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:20,120 the future of environmental policy? 495 00:17:20,120 --> 00:17:22,360 Think about it, talk about it, and most importantly, 496 00:17:22,360 --> 00:17:23,560 do something about it. 497 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:25,480 Thanks for listening to us on this deep dive 498 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:28,080 into a topic that's so important for all of us. 499 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:30,840 And hey, don't forget to follow meteorologist Rob Jones 500 00:17:30,840 --> 00:17:34,600 on Instagram and TikTok at at meteorologist and YouTube 501 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:36,480 at Rob Jones' Hurricane. 502 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:38,800 He's got even more great insights over there. 503 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:41,920 You can also find meteorology matters in his podcast playlist. 504 00:17:41,920 --> 00:17:44,280 Until next time, stay curious, still informed, 505 00:17:44,280 --> 00:17:46,320 and stay engaged.