(Belen, November 11) California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized President Trump's absence from the UN Climate Change Conference, calling his withdrawal of the US from global climate action a foolish move. He vowed that California, the world's fourth-largest economy, would continue to invest in green energy development.
The 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) was held in Belém, Brazil, the gateway city to the Amazon River. With Trump and other federal officials absent, Newsom, as the governor of California, the largest economy in the US, and a leading Democratic nominee for the 2028 presidential election, became the most prominent US representative at the conference.
On Tuesday (November 11), Newsom, attending a conference event, seized every opportunity to emphasize his role as someone who could correct Trump's mistakes. He called Trump's two withdrawals from the Paris Climate Agreement "disgusting" and his strong support for traditional oil giants "doubly foolish."
He said, "I want people all over the world to remember that Trump is only temporary. He will be remembered for years, not decades. He's reckless, chaotic, capricious, and only cares about deals. We must stand up and stand up to bullies."
Newson declared that future Democratic governments will "not hesitate" to rejoin the Paris Agreement, "It's a moral commitment and a crucial economic strategy."
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Newsom also emphasized that California, as the world's fourth-largest economy with a GDP of $4 trillion, remains committed to combating climate change and developing green energy technologies. Two-thirds of California's electricity comes from renewable energy, and this sector creates seven times more jobs than the traditional fossil fuel industry.
He said, "The United States can be as stupid as it gets on this issue, but California is not. We will be fully committed and compete in this field."
Newson also warned that China's lead in electric vehicles and other clean energy technologies is widening, and that the Trump administration's actions are handing over market dominance to China.
Although Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend COP30, the Chinese delegation set up a prominent large exhibition area at the event.
Newson attended several events that day. Besides meeting with Pará Governor Barbaro, the host of COP30, he also signed a joint declaration on behalf of California with the German state of Baden-Württemberg to deepen cooperation. He was the focus of media attention wherever he went.
However, when asked whether he would run for US president in 2028, Newsom declined to answer, saying he was more focused on next year's midterm elections. US States Push for Green Energy, Still Poised to Approach Emissions Reduction Targets
Besides Newsom, New Mexico Governor Grisham also attended COP30, but as local officials, they could not represent the US government at the formal meetings.
Grisham acknowledged the limitations of state government attendance at the conference, stating that her presence to meet with world leaders was to demonstrate interest in exploring any potential cooperation opportunities.
A recent study from the University of Maryland predicts that if US state governments continue to pursue zero-emission policies, US carbon emissions could still be reduced by more than 50% by 2035, approaching the 61% to 66% reduction target set by the previous Biden administration, when Americans elect a president who supports climate change in 2028.
Holtman, director of the Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland, who led the study, said that Trump cannot completely halt all green energy efforts. Even in states where leaders have not prioritized climate issues, such as Texas, the market-driven green energy sector continues to thrive.
