About our Environment Pillar
This pillar concerns anything environmentally related. From laws, to Executive Orders (EOs), to any trickle down in policy that has, had, and will have an impact on lands, wildlife, and wildlife habitats. We look at both the short-term effects and the long-term damage that might happen anywhere on US soil as well as globally. We’ll break down the wording of each piece to analyze each segment. When possible, we will gather data to use in predictive models and inquire into the thoughts of professionals in the field. The environment is open to all and the responsibility of all. This pillar will examine the relationship between the general public, any change in environmental policy and what it means for everyone. An example would be an EO impacting national parks and what the impacts would be based on what the EO stated.
Why it Matters Now
Environmental concerns have been high for some years now. However, recent years have seen a weakening of environmental protections that has many worried. Researchers and their data have shown rising global temperatures, ocean acidifications, and more that are being overlooked. Previous protections are being withdrawn and committees reduced or removed. This impacts wildlife diversification, human sustainability, and hospitable comfort the longer it continues without change and recent legislative policies and bills show no sign of ease. The current trajectory of the majority of lawmakers shows this shift and encourages some social aspects to consider the topic unimportant.
Recent Briefings
Written by our analysts, these articles break down important developments and explain how they fit into the broader context of this issue.
U.S. Offshore Mineral Policies Become Streamlined by Department of Interior
In June of 2025, the United States Department of Interior released new steps in a policy to hasten the search and development of minerals found in offshore mining. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or BOEM, and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, or BSEE, actively oversee changes in policy that are supposed to…
Key Issues and Focus Areas
These are the major topics we’re tracking within this pillar. Each one captures a core aspect of how the issue shows up in policy, systems, or everyday life.
Rescinding of Climate Change Preventions:
Some preventions that are being dismissed are the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement (again) as well as an executive order abolishing the Office of Domestic Climate Policy, the elimination of the Clean Energy Corps, and removal of USAID policies that help countries transition away from fossil fuels. We also see the removal of tax incentives for cleaner energy initiatives such as electric vehicles or energy efficiency programs and ending the Greenhouse Reduction Fund which funded nonprofits in reducing pollution and carbon emissions.
Restrictions on Environmental Protections:
Within the U.S., environmental protections are also being sliced away. Before being cut from “Big, Beautiful Bill”, there was a proposal to sell public and federally protected land such as National parks and public access forests. There has been an elimination of Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, a reduction of vegetation and an increase for logging (with wildfire combating as the reason), as well as more relax regulations on marine and aquatic wildlife protection
Growth in the Fossil Fuel Sector:
A return to the notion of expanding natural gas/fracking and working with states to restart coal leasing program. We have the elimination of the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management or, at the very least, the redirection of its funds to increase fossil fuel use such as the increase in oil extraction in Alaska.
Cuts in Federal Funding for Environmental Agencies:
There have been cuts to the National Forestry Service, Department of Agriculture, and Bureau of Land Management as well as cuts to multiple offices in the Department of Energy. We see the restrictions and downsizing of EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, which has helped protect water, air, and land from harmful human effects; There are also climate advocacy groups that are no longer being funded.
Who's Working on This
These are leading organizations addressing this issue. These groups conduct research, shape policy, and provide resources that help drive progress within this pillar.
- Rare – Invests in people-powered, community-led environmental solutions
- Environmental Defense Fund – Global nonprofit organization tackling climate change
- National Parks Conservation Association – Protecting America's National Park System for present and future generations
- Center for Biological Diversity – Focused on protecting the lands, waters, and climate that species need to survive
- Student Conservation Association – Provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and young adults
Further Reading
US announces policy changes for offshore mineral development
“U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration on Wednesday [June 25th] announced policy changes it said would speed up the search and development of offshore critical minerals.”
Get Involved
There are many ways to take meaningful action. This section points to organizations, resources, and efforts connected to the issues explored here.
