US Climate Negotiator Podesta: ‘We Won’t Revert Back’ as Trump Takes Office

Baku, Azerbaijan (AP) – Nov 11 – U.S. Climate Adviser John Podesta delivered a defiant message at the start of COP29, the U.N. climate talks, as President-Elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. Podesta emphasized that, despite potential setbacks under Trump’s leadership, America’s transition to clean energy will not be undone.

Podesta acknowledged that Trump may attempt to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement and roll back key climate policies, including the landmark Inflation Reduction Act. However, he firmly stated, “We won’t revert back to the energy system of the 1950s. No way,” and vowed to continue fighting for a cleaner, safer planet.

“We are not giving up. Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable,” Podesta said, reinforcing that the global climate fight is bigger than any single political cycle or country.