DYNAMICS OF THE CLIMATE POLICY OF THE USA AT THE END OF THE XX – BEGINNING OF THE XXI CENTURY

Abstract

The article notes that American climate policy, starting from the end of the 20th century. is characterized by cyclicality, which is caused by the opposition of republican and democratic party forces. In the opinion of the author, the greatest contrast appeared during the presidency of D. Trump, whose climate policy was a departure from the political priorities and goals of the previous administration of B. Obama. While President Obama's environmental agenda prioritized reducing carbon emissions through the use of renewable energy to preserve the environment for future generations, the Trump administration's policies envisioned achieving US energy independence based on the use of fossil fuels, for which many environmental regulations were repealed . Trump's climate policy has been defined by denying the consensus of the majority of scientists that climate change is caused by anthropogenic factors and will have catastrophic consequences, and that carbon dioxide is the main driver of climate change, and the decisions made have slowed down or deprioritized climate action. After the victory of Democrat D. Biden, adaptation and mitigation of the consequences of global climate change became one of the main components of his foreign and domestic policy. The author shows that despite the different views of Republicans and Democrats regarding the goals and tools of climate policy implementation at the national and regional levels, both political forces appealed to the protection of the country's national interests.