Get the latest tech news

Gutting USAID Will Have a Monumental Effect on Combating Climate Change


The agency was a key player in renewable energy and disaster protection around the world—until Elon Musk showed up.

While criticisms of Trump’s abrupt demolition of USAID have largely focused on global public health projects that have long enjoyed bipartisan support, the effort also threatens billions of dollars meant to combat climate change. While in recent years the largest shares of that aid have gone to Ukraine, Israel, and Afghanistan, the agency also distributes billions of dollars to Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia, where it primarily helps promote food security, health and sanitation, and education efforts. That’s because the agency’s support has also mobilized billions of dollars from the private sector, attracting investment from renewable energy developers and insurance companies that offer drought and flood coverage to vulnerable areas abroad.

Get the Android app

Or read this on Wired

Read more on:

Photo of climate change

climate change

Photo of monumental effect

monumental effect

Related news:

News photo

If Climate Change is so important, then why tariff electric cars and PV panels? Are we putting inefficient domestic interests ahead of saving the planet?

News photo

USDA orders removal of climate change mentions from public websites

News photo

Climate change increased the odds of Los Angeles' devastating fires, researchers say