【Dagmar Bürger】

California Gov. Jerry Brown said the Trump administration has made a "colossal mistake" in unraveling federal policies to address climate change.

Brown,Dagmar Bürger who has frequently sparred with President Donald Trump over climate change and other issues, told the Los Angeles Times that the president's executive order "defies science itself." He said that "erasing climate change may take place in Donald Trump's mind, but nowhere else."

SEE ALSO: Trump's order will unravel America's best defense against climate change

Trump on Tuesday signed a far-reaching executive order that scraps federal greenhouse gas rules and kickstarts a process to gut the Clean Power Plan, which aims to reduce carbon pollution from electricity.

President Donald Trump, flanked by coal miners and cabinet officials, shortly after signing an executive order to roll back Obama-era climate change policies, March 28, 2017. Credit: ron sach/Getty Images

The president said the measure would revive jobs in coal mining and make America "energy independent" -- though analysts and coal mining executives themselves said the sector isn't likely to rebound, given the competition from cheap natural gas and the plunging costs of renewable energy.

Trump has repeatedly questioned the mainstream scientific consensus that burning fossil fuels, destroying forests and other human activities are the predominant reason why global temperatures are rising to historically high levels.

Brown, in turn, has consistently mocked Trump for his head-in-the-sand views on the issue.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

Trump's climate denial also puts him at odds with the world's leaders, who for now remain committed to fighting global warming through the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

With Washington ditching its role as a global leader on clean energy and climate issues, China and other major nations are likely to fill the vacuum on the world stage.

Domestically, a similar power shift is happening in states and cities across the country. Brown and other elected officials this week vowed to accelerate their own efforts to reduce emissions and develop renewable energy despite the federal rollbacks.

"I see Washington declining in influence, but the momentum being maintained by California and other states aligned with China and those who are willing to do something," Brown told the Los Angeles Times.

Wind turbines and solar panels in Palm Springs, California. Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Matt Zone, a city councilmember in Cleveland, Ohio, said cities "stand ready to continue this work" to curb emissions and prepare communities for extreme weather events, rising sea levels and other effects of climate change.

Zone, who also leads the National League of Cities, signed a letter earlier this month with dozens of local officials urging the Trump administration to continue federal climate efforts.

"Cities will continue to lead on fighting climate change, protecting public health and promoting a safer, cleaner planet -- even if Washington will not," Zone said in an email.

---

Featured Video For You

---

Gov. Jerry Brown says California will build its 'own damn satellite' under Trump

---

Topics Donald Trump

• Games
• Tech
• Life
• Deals
• Shopping
• Science
• Digital Culture
• Entertainment

• Best Ninja deal: Save $50 on the FrostVault 45QT cooler
• Earth sends Cassini a whole lot of love after the mission comes to a bittersweet end
• 'Severance' Season 2, episode 7, explained: What is happening to Gemma at Lumon?
• SpaceX just stuck another rocket landing at sea, this time before dawn
• Will Oracle take over TikTok? Trump says he'll make a decision in 30 days
• Best robot vacuum deal: Save $400 on the roborock Q5 Pro+
• The 'recession indicator' meme, explained
• Climate change turns large green sea turtle population female
• YouTube adds parent code feature, blocking your child's access to adult accounts
• Mastering Gmail Search

• This Airbnb is made entirely out of LEGO and you can spend the night
• Donald Trump reacts to his Twitter account being taken down for 11 minutes
• Yahoo Answers is shutting down
• This guy proposed dressed as Master Chief
• Beyoncé pays homage to Lil' Kim with five perfect Halloween costumes
• Someone please put these classic science fiction novel stamps on my wall
• 'Hey Spotify' feature rolling out to some users
• Beyoncé's black Formation Tour hat could soon be yours
• See where NASA zapped this odd Martian rock with a laser
• Little girl decided to dress up like her dog for Halloween and we're glad she did

• Best air purifier deal: Save $300 on the Dyson HEPA Big + Quiet air purifier
• Why are TikTok comments suddenly full of religious messages?
• Best AirPods deal: Save $50 on AirPods Pro 2
• Wordle today: The answer and hints for February 22, 2025
• 'The Traitors' Season 3's latest banishment has me fuming
• Best headphones deal: Save $116 on Sennheiser Momentum 4
• Camera lenses literally melted during the solar eclipse
• The Dark Web: What is It and How To Access It
• NYT mini crossword answers for January 3, 2025
• Yes, that was Ke Huy Quan on the phone in 'The White Lotus' Season 3

• Watch Chappell Roan's Grammy acceptance speech demanding healthcare for artists
• Chinese scientists have cloned two monkeys to advance human medicine
• The Dark Web: What is It and How To Access It
• Get a Smart AcousticPlus acoustic electric guitar for $199.99
• Moto Z Battery Beast: Mod Delivers Best in Class Smartphone Battery Life
• Skates in the deep sea may incubate eggs near 'black smoker' vents
• 2025 Oscar winners: See the full list
• Best soundbar deal: Get $50 off the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus
• The Best Skyrim Mods
• Grim video of a starving polar bear could show the species' future