SUMMARY
As President-elect Trump’s team is taking shape, we’re learning more about who will take the lead on energy, climate and the environment. The first announcement on that front is Lee Zeldin, a former GOP congressman who will head the Environmental Protection Agency. Trump has called climate change a “scam” and says addressing it hurts business.
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News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Who is Lee Zeldin, and what is his background?
- How will President Trump undo Biden's climate and environmental initiatives?
- Where is 80% of the investment money from the Inflation Reduction Act going?
- Why does Trump believe addressing climate change is bad for business?
- What are some of the things Trump did in his first term that impacted climate and environmental policies?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What do you think is the most important action the federal government can take to address climate or environmental issues?
Media literacy: What can you predict about Trump's next term by looking back at the actions of his administration during his first term? Where could you find out about the climate, energy and environmental policies his first administration adopted?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
FOR MORE
What students can do: Discuss as a class — what other ways you think the Trump administration might reshape national policy. What do you think will be the most significant change? You can watch some of the videos below to help support your argument.
Foreign policy
Economy
Migration
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