Republicans are advocating for alternative strategies they argue can effectively address environmental concerns while boosting America’s energy independence and economic growth, and simultaneously combat the Left’s ‘Green New Deal’ and the Paris Climate Accord.

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, his administration is expected to prioritize an energy independence plan focused on leveraging domestic resources, cutting regulatory red tape, and ensuring low energy costs for Americans, writes Just the News.

The Democratic approach to climate change, including the Green New Deal championed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and participation in the Paris Climate Accord, has faced criticism from Republicans who argue these initiatives harm the American economy while failing to deliver global environmental benefits.

Former Republican Congressman Doug Collins voiced skepticism about Democratic solutions, pointing to what he sees as their reluctance to embrace pragmatic energy sources like nuclear power and hydrogen fuel. “I will not take the left seriously on climate change until we embrace nuclear,” Collins said during an appearance on Just the News, No Noise.

Collins also criticized the Paris Climate Accord for imposing what he called unfair burdens on the United States while allowing countries like China to continue high levels of emissions. “We can’t let China and third world countries do whatever they want,” he said, emphasizing the importance of balancing environmental goals with economic fairness.

Republicans have emphasized a broader mix of energy sources, including natural gas, nuclear power, solar, and wind, to ensure both environmental sustainability and energy reliability.

Benji Backer, founder of the American Conservation Coalition, highlighted the need for expanding America’s energy infrastructure. “Solar and wind can’t do it alone, but neither can the current natural gas and nuclear supply that we have,” he said, advocating for a diversified approach. Backer also stressed that nuclear energy is among the least harmful options for the environment, a sentiment echoed by many young conservatives.

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum pointed to natural gas as a cleaner, more abundant resource that could play a critical role in meeting energy demands. Burgum and other Republicans argue that natural gas, along with nuclear and hydrogen technologies, can reduce emissions without sacrificing economic growth.

Another area of contention is the rise of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policies, which encourage companies to prioritize progressive causes like climate change and diversity. Critics argue that these policies often undermine energy independence and harm investors. Republicans have called for a return to focusing on economic viability and energy efficiency rather than politically driven initiatives.

In his campaign and transition statements, Trump has made it clear that affordable energy will be a cornerstone of his administration’s policy. “As President, I will set a national goal of ensuring that America has the No. 1 lowest cost of energy of any industrial country anywhere on Earth,” Trump declared, adding that cheaper energy would lead to lower inflation and more job creation.

Trump’s pledge to end what some Republicans describe as a “war on energy” includes cutting taxes and reducing regulatory barriers to domestic energy production. His administration aims to achieve energy independence by maximizing the use of American energy resources and reducing reliance on foreign imports.

While Democrats have sought to address climate change through ambitious international agreements and sweeping reforms, Republicans are championing a more cost-effective and pragmatic approach by prioritizing domestic energy production, promoting nuclear and natural gas, and resisting regulatory policies they view as economically harmful.