Trump Management Directs Energy Department to Drop Climate-Focused Language
Washington D.C. – In a move sharply contrasting its stated mission, the U.S. department of Energy has reportedly instructed staff to avoid using a range of terms associated with climate change and clean energy, according to a report by Politico. The directive, issued via email by an appointee of President Donald Trump, impacts communication related to areas like energy efficiency and renewable energies.
The list of prohibited expressions includes “climate change,” “green,” “decarbonization,” “energy transition,” “sustainability,” “carbon footprint,” and even “emissions.” The justification provided,as reported by Politico,centers on the perception that these terms carry negative connotations,despite their neutral definitions.
Established in the late 1970s in response to the oil crisis, the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office was created to lessen U.S.dependence on fossil fuels and shield the economy from volatile energy prices. This latest decision directly clashes with the office’s foundational purpose.
President Trump and his political allies have consistently voiced criticism of renewable energy sources, frequently labeling them a “fraud” in public statements.During a recent address at the United Nations, Trump asserted that nations investing in solar, wind, or battery technologies are “condemned to failure.”
However, global investment trends paint a different picture. According to bloombergnef, investment in renewable energy reached a record high in the first half of 2025, increasing by 10% compared to the same period last year. Growth was largely driven by offshore wind energy and small-scale solar production, bringing the total investment to $386 billion (approximately 330 billion euros at current exchange rates).
