Donald Trump's 100 days in office to be marked by worldwide climate change protests

Updated April 30, 2017 00:43:51

Photo: Mr Trump has kept his promise to undo climate change rules put in place by Barack Obama. (Reuters: Carlos Barria)

As US President Donald Trump marks his 100th day in the White House, tens of thousands of protesters are expected to turn out in Washington to voice concern over his climate change policies.

Key points:

• As a side theme, marchers will protest Mr Trump's crackdown on illegal immigrants
• Last weekend, thousands turned out for March for Science
• Mr Trump's representatives had no immediate comment on the planned protest

The Peoples Climate Marches, which will take place in dozens of cities around the world, including in Hobart and on the Gold Coast, are part of a broader effort to build momentum behind candidates with strong environmental records ahead of next year's midterm elections and the 2020 presidential race, organisers said.

"We're using this as a tactic to advance the strategy of building enough power to win on climate over the course of the long haul," said national coordinator Paul Getsos.

Why do we care about 100 days?

There's still almost 1,400 days to go of President Donald Trump's first term. Why make a big deal of the first 100? It's because this is probably as good as it gets for Mr Trump.

As a side theme, marchers will also protest Mr Trump's crackdown on illegal immigrants and other issues championed by the maverick Republican billionaire.

Since Mr Trump's inauguration on January 20, there have been national protests focused on issues ranging from abortion rights to immigration and science policy.

Last weekend, thousands turned out for the March for Science — a de facto protest against what activists call a denial in Mr Trump's Washington of evidence-based science.

Mr Trump's administration is considering withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, which more than 190 countries signed in the hope of curbing global warming.

Mr Trump has also proposed deep cuts for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In his campaign, he called climate change a hoax. Last month he kept a promise to the coal industry by undoing climate change rules put in place by his predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama.

Environmental protection should take priority

Myron Ebell, a climate change sceptic at the Competitive Enterprise Institute — a libertarian think tank — said the march would have little impact on the administration.

UN climate accord promises

What did countries say they would do under the terms of the Paris climate accord and how will it be funded?

"The real decisions are made in this country in elections, and we have now a President and a House and a Senate that are determined to pursue a pro-energy agenda," he said.

Environmental activists believe public opinion is on their side. A Gallup poll this month showed 59 per cent of Americans agreed environmental protection should take priority over increased US energy production.

Mr Trump's representatives had no immediate comment on the planned protest.

At the main event in Washington, protesters will march from the Capitol to surround the White House, then hold a rally.

Dozens of "sister" marches are planned for other North America locales, from Anapolish Royal, Nova Scotia, to Dutch Harbor in Alaska's Aleutian Islands.

Overseas, about three dozen events range from a protest in Vienna to a tree planting event in Zambia.

Reuters

First posted April 30, 2017 00:27:41

Source : abc[dot]net[dot]au