Washington, DC, January 20, 2025—Today, as the 47th President of the United States is sworn into office, he vows in his inaugural speech that his administration will move to dismantle critical environmental protections and human rights safeguards through executive orders on his first day in office.
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) issues the following statement reaffirming its unwavering commitment to justice, democracy, and a just and sustainable future for all:
“Our vision remains clear: justice, democracy, and a sustainable future are not aspirations—they are the foundation of our work and the promise we strive to fulfill every day. With communities and allies around the globe, we stand firmly and unapologetically for a world where these principles thrive, building a future rooted in hope, courage, and collective action.
“From efforts to dismantle environmental protections and expand fossil fuel production, to actions that undermine international agreements, exacerbate climate chaos, and target marginalized populations with xenophobic, transphobic, and hateful policies, Donald Trump’s agenda represents an attack on the dignity and rights of all people. These measures threaten the core values of justice, equity, and global cooperation that are essential for a sustainable future for all. Mr. Trump’s Executive Orders shows his administration is willing to impose unpopular policies upon an electorate that run contrary to due process, a safe climate, and ‘liberty and justice for all.’
“It is repugnant that these remarks occur from the highest US office on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Today, and every day, we channel Dr. King’s call to action: ‘Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.’ Together and through collective, continuous action, we will bend the arc of history towards justice.”
Media Contact
For press inquiries, interviews, or more information, please contact:
Maria Frausto, Communications Director, at press@ciel.org.