Latest news with #AustrianWorldSummit
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Schwarzenegger: Stop whining about Trump and act on climate change
Credit: BBC Arnold Schwarzenegger has urged environmentalists to 'stop whining' about Donald Trump's approach to climate change and instead 'get to work'. The veteran actor, 77, said Mr Trump was not a barrier to change and activists should stop using him as an excuse not to act. 'I've noticed people always said to me: 'Well, what is the point of fighting the environmental issue here and to reduce pollution, with Trump in the White House?'' the activist told the BBC after appearing on stage at a climate conference in Vienna. Mr Trump and his administration have repeatedly called climate change a hoax, despite the scientific evidence. 'I tell them: 'Hey, stop whining,'' he continued. 'We all have a responsibility. What – do you think that action comes only for the whole world out of Washington, the White House? No. You have to be aware of your obstacles, but you should not go and use them as an excuse.' The former Republican governor of California, who focused on environmental issues during his time in office, has continued campaigning globally on climate change since leaving politics. 'Be the mayor that makes buses electric; be the CEO who ends fossil fuel dependence; be the school that puts [up] solar roofs,' he said at the Austrian World Summit, a climate event in Vienna he helped to organise. 'You can't just sit around and make excuses because one guy in a very nice White House on Pennsylvania Avenue doesn't agree with you,' said Schwarzenegger. 'I know that the people are sick and tired of the whining and the complaining and the doom and gloom,' he said. 'The only way we win the people's hearts and minds is by showing them action that makes their lives better.' On his first day in office, Mr Trump fulfilled his energy campaign promises by ending the Democrats' war on fossil fuels. He issued executive orders promoting oil and gas production and withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. The president also withdrew from other commitments in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Mr Trump has pledged to open hundreds more coal-fired power plants and to halt closures driven by environmental regulations in an effort to compete with China, the world's largest source of carbon emissions. However, Beijing has embarked on its own ambitious clean energy plans, including rolling out affordable electric vehicles domestically and internationally that compete fiercely with Tesla. Much of that has been driven by an interest in boosting the Chinese economy, and to clear the blanket of thick black smoke and smog that has covered China for decades and upset the country's residents. Coal is the most polluting form of energy, and has contributed to significant health risks and even fatalities in China. As the world's most populous nation with more than 1.4 billion people – more than four times that of the US – China has extremely high energy demands to keep the country running. While the US also has energy demands to meet, the country was previously seen as a leader in climate change, particularly under Barack Obama, and in bringing the world together to lower global emissions. However, Mr Trump has reversed his predecessors' energy agenda on net zero and incentives for wind and solar, going against what many other countries are doing. The UK, for instance, became the first G7 country to end the use of coal power when it shut down its last coal-fired power station last September. The government has also banned all new fossil fuel extraction in a bid to accelerate the move toward renewable energy sources. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Schwarzenegger: Stop whining about Trump and act on climate change
Arnold Schwarzenegger has urged environmentalists to 'stop whining' about Donald Trump's approach to climate change and instead 'get to work'. The veteran actor, 77, said Mr Trump was not a barrier to change and activists should stop using him as an excuse not to act. 'I've noticed people always said to me: 'Well, what is the point of fighting the environmental issue here and to reduce pollution, with Trump in the White House?'' the activist told the BBC after appearing on stage at a climate conference in Vienna. Mr Trump and his administration have repeatedly called climate change a hoax, despite the scientific evidence. 'I tell them: 'Hey, stop whining,'' he continued. 'We all have a responsibility. What – do you think that action comes only for the whole world out of Washington, the White House? No. You have to be aware of your obstacles, but you should not go and use them as an excuse.' The former Republican governor of California, who focused on environmental issues during his time in office, has continued campaigning globally on climate change since leaving politics. 'Be the mayor that makes buses electric; be the CEO who ends fossil fuel dependence; be the school that puts [up] solar roofs,' he said at the Austrian World Summit, a climate event in Vienna he helped to organise. 'You can't just sit around and make excuses because one guy in a very nice White House on Pennsylvania Avenue doesn't agree with you,' said Schwarzenegger. 'I know that the people are sick and tired of the whining and the complaining and the doom and gloom,' he said. 'The only way we win the people's hearts and minds is by showing them action that makes their lives better.' On his first day in office, Mr Trump fulfilled his energy campaign promises by ending the Democrats' war on fossil fuels. He issued executive orders promoting oil and gas production and withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. The president also withdrew from other commitments in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Mr Trump has pledged to open hundreds more coal-fired power plants and to halt closures driven by environmental regulations in an effort to compete with China, the world's largest source of carbon emissions. However, Beijing has embarked on its own ambitious clean energy plans, including rolling out affordable electric vehicles domestically and internationally that compete fiercely with Tesla. Much of that has been driven by an interest in boosting the Chinese economy, and to clear the blanket of thick black smoke and smog that has covered China for decades and upset the country's residents. Coal is the most polluting form of energy, and has contributed to significant health risks and even fatalities in China. As the world's most populous nation with more than 1.4 billion people – more than four times that of the US – China has extremely high energy demands to keep the country running. While the US also has energy demands to meet, the country was previously seen as a leader in climate change, particularly under Barack Obama, and in bringing the world together to lower global emissions. However, Mr Trump has reversed his predecessors' energy agenda on net zero and incentives for wind and solar, going against what many other countries are doing. The UK, for instance, became the first G7 country to end the use of coal power when it shut down its last coal-fired power station last September. The government has also banned all new fossil fuel extraction in a bid to accelerate the move toward renewable energy sources.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
This Strong Two-Word Message from Arnold Schwarzenegger Might Just Save the Planet
Arnold Schwarzenegger has never been one to sit quietly while the world burns—literally or figuratively. And at this year's Austrian World Summit, the former California governor issued a tough-love rallying cry to frustrated environmental activists with a message as bold as it was simple: "Stop whining." That's the two-word challenge he says could turn the tide in the fight against climate change—not by waiting for leaders in Washington to act, but by taking matters into our own hands. 'Whining doesn't change anything. Whining doesn't build anything,' he said, responding to growing disillusionment from climate advocates. 'Sometimes problems need to be solved by the people.' Instead of directing fire at politicians, though he subtly referenced U.S. leaders who've rolled back environmental protections, Schwarzenegger urged individuals, local governments, and businesses to step up. He pointed to mayors transitioning fleets to electric vehicles, schools installing solar panels, and CEOs cutting corporate emissions. Real progress, he argued, doesn't need permission from the Oval Office. 'I know this sounds a little bit like a motivational speech... because it is,' he added with signature bluntness. Schwarzenegger drew on his own history for proof. As governor, he spearheaded emissions regulations that clashed with federal policy. When the Environment Protection Agency tried to block California's efforts in 2007, he didn't back down—he sued. And won. 'Did we whine like little girlie men?' he asked. 'No, we sued them. We took the fight from court to court to court.' Now, he says, it's time for that same energy. 'You don't need to be the president to be a hero,' he told the crowd. 'You just need to care and get off your butts and get to work.' Because sometimes, two words are all it takes to start a movement. Perhaps, in this case, these two could lead to saving the Strong Two-Word Message from Arnold Schwarzenegger Might Just Save the Planet first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 5, 2025
Japan Today
03-06-2025
- General
- Japan Today
Schwarzenegger tells environmentalists dismayed by Trump to 'stop whining' and get to work
Arnold Schwarzenegger has a message for environmentalists who despair at the the approach of President Donald Trump's administration: 'Stop whining and get to work.' The new U.S. administration has taken an ax to Biden-era environmental ambitions, rolled back landmark regulations, withdrawn climate project funding and instead bolstered support for oil and gas production in the name of an 'American energy dominance' agenda. Schwarzenegger, the former Republican governor of California, has devoted time to environmental causes since leaving political office in 2011. He said Tuesday he keeps hearing from environmentalists and policy experts lately who ask, 'What is the point of fighting for a clean environment when the government of the United States says climate change is a hoax and coal and oil is the future?' Schwarzenegger told the Austrian World Summit in Vienna, an event he helps organize, that he responds: 'Stop whining and get to work.' He pointed to examples of local and regional governments and companies taking action, including his own administration in California, and argued 70% of pollution is reduced at the local or state level. 'Be the mayor that makes buses electric; be the CEO who ends fossil fuel dependence; be the school that puts (up) solar roofs," he said. 'You can't just sit around and make excuses because one guy in a very nice White House on Pennsylvania Avenue doesn't agree with you,' he said, adding that attacking the president is 'not my style' and he doesn't criticize any president when outside the U.S. 'I know that the people are sick and tired of the whining and the complaining and the doom and gloom,' Schwarzenegger said. 'The only way we win the people's hearts and minds is by showing them action that makes their lives better.' © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Arnold Schwarzenegger tells climate activists to ‘stop whining' because they don't have any support from the White House. ‘Sometimes problems need to be solved by the people'
Arnold Schwarzenegger encouraged environmental activists to roll up their sleeves and address climate change despite waning political support from the current administration. Complaining, he added, would not help: Whining doesn't build anything. Throughout his remarks, Schwarzenegger pointed to his time as governor of California when he sued the federal government over its attempt to block statewide emissions regulations. Former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a rallying cry filled with tough love for dispirited environmental activists: 'Stop whining.' At the Austrian World Summit, an environmental conference Schwarzenegger helped organize in his home country, the former governor tried to galvanize climate-change advocates that might have felt their efforts were for naught because of the Trump administration's dismissal of their cause. His message was typically blunt. 'Stop whining,' Schwarzenegger said on Tuesday. 'Whining doesn't change anything. Whining doesn't build anything. I know that sometimes politicians in Washington, D.C., or many other capitals of the world won't always agree with everything that we do and that we believe in.' Schwarzenegger said his comments were meant to spur action from people at a time they were facing governments that had not made environmental policy a priority. 'I know this sounds a little bit like a motivational speech, rather than a speech about the environment—but you know why—because it is,' he said. The former actor, who is a longtime climate advocate, admitted he'd heard many complaints from his peers recently. 'Lately, every time I talk to environmentalists and to policy people, they say to me, 'Arnold, I mean, what is the point of fighting for a clean environment when the government of the United States says climate change is a hoax and coal and oil is the future, when the politicians in Washington don't care,'' he said. President Donald Trump's environmental policy has been characterized by relaxing pollution regulations, emphasizing oil drilling on federal lands, and cutting spending for existing green initiatives. During his speech, Schwarzenegger did not criticize Trump directly, saying he had a policy of not speaking negatively about U.S. presidents when he was abroad—though he did speak broadly of leaders whose policies did not help climate change. 'The world will always have problems and leaders who don't agree with us, or are just terrible leaders,' Schwarzenegger said. 'We have seen it over and over again throughout history, but sometimes problems need to be solved by the people. Sometimes the people need to rise up and get to work.' In his remarks, Schwarzenegger gave examples of people who 'didn't ask the government' for permission to enact environmentally friendly policies. For example, mayors can make their city buses electric; CEOs can push to reduce their company's carbon emissions; and schools could install solar panels on their rooftops. Throughout the speech, Schwarzenegger pointed to his own track record in public office as evidence of how effective action could be. He told the story of how in 2007, during his tenure as governor, California instituted emissions regulations that were stricter than those mandated by a federal law passed under President George W. Bush. When the Environmental Protection Agency objected to California's state-specific version of the law, the state sued the federal agency. 'Did we whine like little girlie men?' Schwarzenegger asked. 'No, we sued them. We sued the government. We took the fight from court to court to court.' In 2009, when President Barack Obama took office, the EPA granted California the exception it sought, ending its court challenge. Schwarzenegger called on the audience to adopt a similar gung-ho attitude regardless of whether they held elected office. 'You don't need to be the president to be a hero,' Schwarzenegger said. 'You just need to care and get off your butts and get to work.' This story was originally featured on
