https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/article/trump-climate-change-21114449.php
By Opinion Columnist
Excerpt: When environmental scientist Michael Mann reconnected with colleague Benjamin Horton on a recent trip to Hong Kong, they lamented the state of climate research in the U.S.
“We marveled at the stark contrast between the forward-looking view taken by Hong Kong and China, when it comes to matters of climate and sustainability,” Mann told me in an email.
Mann said China is investing in basic climate research and development, and is becoming a world leader in green energy technology. At the same time, the U.S., under President Donald Trump and the enabling of congressional Republicans, has ceded leadership in this area.
The discussions between Mann and Horton led to them raising the alarm in Thursday’s Open Forum on what the U.S. stands to lose as it falls behind other countries on climate science.
“It’s a crisis, and Ben and I felt we had to say something about it,” Mann said.
They know their stuff.
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The war on science is now driving policy from the White House.
“The rest of the world, led by China now, recognizes that clean energy is the great economic revolution of this century,” Mann said. “Those who embrace it will lead, those who don’t will get left behind.”
Mann said Americans must raise their voices, like in Saturday’s No Kings protests, and vote if they want to put an end to harmful policies.
“If enough Americans who are angered and disgusted by Trump turn out a year from now in the midterm elections, we could see Democrats reclaim Congress and provide a much-needed check on the unprecedented and dangerous policies of the Trump administration,” Mann said.
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Harry Mok is an assistant editor and columnist for the opinion section of the Chronicle. His columns have won awards from the Asian American Journalists Association and the San Francisco Press Club.
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Climate Depot’s Reality Check on China:
A coal-fired power plant in China's Sichuan province.
China now emits more CO2 than the USA, Europe, Canada, Japan and South Korea combined.
Meanwhile, Europe is regulating their manufacturing out of business to "save the planet". It is all ridiculous. They close their… pic.twitter.com/s6yNnKbbDF
— Based Jessica (@BasedJess05) October 23, 2025
