Written by David Campbell, Virginia Beach, Virginia

The science of climate change is irrefutable. The U.S. military has consistently considered climate change a national security risk since 1998. We will suffer the effects of extreme weather events and sea level rise.

Despite that reality, President Donald Trump subsidized petroleum $80 billion and archaic coal power plants $625 million. Trump wasted $2 billion paying companies not to build wind power projects. Trump’s tariffs and temporary delay of Virginia’s nearly-completed offshore wind project caused costs to rise to $11.5 billion. The increase may trickle down to Dominion customers. Meanwhile, China is investing heavily in solar and wind power, battery storage and electric vehicles.

Renewable energy is surging worldwide — not due to the threat of climate change, but simply driven by economics. Renewable energy is already less expensive than fossil fuels and getter cheaper. Clean energy also reduces pollution and health-related costs. Even Texas generated 54% clean energy this year.

Other countries are realizing that they can achieve real energy independence with home-grown renewable power instead of being held hostage by OPEC or war. Global oil prices increased during former President Joe Biden’s term due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. U.S. gas prices are currently the highest they’ve been in four years (per AAA) because of Trump’s decision to wage war against Iran.

Ethiopia already gets more than 90% of its electricity from renewable sources, has banned imports of gas-powered vehicles, and is importing electric vehicles from China. Canada approved Chinese EV imports. China will thrive by selling their technology globally while the U.S. lags further behind.

Published in the Virginian-Pilot on June 1, 2026