The 2025 CPAC featured Trump and other conservative leaders promoting fossil fuel policies and rejecting climate change regulations. The conference included notable figures asserting anti-environmental policies without scientific backing. Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss and Energy Secretary Chris Wright also highlighted deregulation, while CFACT represented the lone organization discussing climate issues, underscoring the gathering’s anti-science sentiment.
At the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February, supporters of President Donald Trump reaffirmed their commitment to his environmental policies, focusing on deregulation and fossil fuels. Among the prominent speakers were Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk, and ex-Trump aide Steve Bannon. Trump, addressing the crowd, reiterated his stance against the Paris Agreement and criticized the Green New Deal, which he dubbed the ‘Green New Scam.’ He claimed, ‘It was a disaster, it was a disaster.’
Trump continued his speech by lamenting the supposed impact of President Biden’s electric vehicle standards, inaccurately stating that they mandated electric car ownership. He concluded with a peculiar comment on hydrogen vehicles, suggesting that they were dangerous, despite the absence of evidence supporting his claim. Overall, the environmental discussions at CPAC lacked scientific backing, reflecting a shift from previous years’ data-driven debates to purely political rhetoric.
Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss also addressed CPAC, expressing frustration over her inability to repeal the fracking ban during her short time in office. She criticized net-zero policies for harming the oil and gas sector, stating, ‘We have net-zero policies that have decimated our oil and gas industry.’ Truss called for the dismantling of what she referred to as the ‘deep state’ and urged for the repeal of various laws affecting energy production.
The emphasis on fossil fuel markets and deregulation was further echoed by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who promised to eliminate regulations that hinder energy production. Wright highlighted the increasing energy demands of artificial intelligence and conveyed that the U.S. must stay competitive against China in the tech sector. Politicians at CPAC, including Governor Mike Dunleavy of Alaska, promoted energy projects aimed at international markets rather than domestic supply, which raised eyebrows among environmentalists.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum’s remarks at CPAC revolved around exploiting public lands for energy resources, intending to bolster national energy dominance and address trade deficits. He indicated prior steps toward easing regulations under the Trump administration, suggesting these efforts would bolster the economy. The NPDC is expected to streamline production and distribution of various energy forms, aiming for a substantial reduction in bureaucratic hurdles.
Amid the prevailing anti-climate sentiment at CPAC, the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT) remained the sole organization dedicated to addressing climate change. Its representatives, including National Field Coordinator Nate Meyers, asserted, ‘It’s not settled at all,’ regarding scientific consensus on climate issues. CFACT aims to challenge left-leaning narratives dominating college campuses and intends to capture the interest of younger audiences with its alternative viewpoints.
The 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference underscored a firm alignment among conservative leaders towards rejecting scientific climate policies in favor of fossil fuel deregulation. Trump and other speakers positioned their agendas against environmental protections and expressed ambitions to enhance energy independence, primarily through domestic and international fossil fuel exploitation. This shift towards anti-climate discussions marks a notable departure from previous years’ evidence-based deliberations. Furthermore, the presence of groups like CFACT highlights an ongoing effort to disseminate a non-consensus viewpoint on climate science, targeting younger demographics amid a changing educational landscape. The conference mirrored a broader trend of increasing resistance to established climate change discourse within conservative circles.
Original Source: www.desmog.com
