At the United Nations General Assembly this week, U.S. President Donald Trump reignited controversy by labelling climate change “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” [1]. In his remarks, Trump criticized the European Union’s emissions reduction policies and dismissed renewable energy investments as economically harmful, doubling down on his administration’s “energy dominance” agenda focused on oil, gas, and coal. The U.S. remains one of only a handful of countries outside the Paris Agreement, alongside Yemen, Iran, and Libya [1].

Trump’s comments came just a day before UN Secretary-General António Guterres convened a global climate summit to encourage new national action plans. Guterres has emphasized that investment trends tell a different story: $2 trillion flowed into clean energy in 2024, surpassing fossil fuel spending by $800 billion [1].

But beyond the political rhetoric, small island nations underscored the lived consequences of climate change. Prime Minister Terrance Drew of St. Kitts and Nevis, speaking on the sidelines of the UN gathering, pointed to land loss, extreme weather, and the erosion of his country’s critical tourism economy as undeniable realities. “For my 45,000 countrymen and women, it is not a matter of any discussion, it is a reality we are living,” Drew said [2].

The Caribbean is already seeing rising sea levels, intensifying hurricanes, and invasive sargassum algae linked to warming waters damage once-pristine coastlines. These changes threaten livelihoods dependent on tourism and fishing, while also putting strain on freshwater and agricultural systems [2]. A recent UN report projects more than eight million people in the region could be forced to relocate by mid-century due to these mounting pressures [2].

Despite these risks, access to promised climate finance remains limited. Drew highlighted efforts to expand geothermal and solar energy on the islands but warned that international support still falls short of what is needed [2]. Activists across the region echoed his call, urging the global community to treat the crisis with urgency.

The stark contrast between Trump’s dismissal of climate risks and the Caribbean’s first-hand experiences highlights the widening divide between political debate and ground realities. As nations convene to discuss climate action, small island states are pressing to ensure that global commitments translate into real support for adaptation and resilience.

References
[1] Reuters. Trump tells UN that climate change is ‘greatest con job’ globally. September 23, 2025. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/cop/trump-tells-un-that-climate-change-is-con-job-2025-09-23/
[2] Yahoo News. US President Donald Trump may dismiss climate change as a “con job” — but for the leader of tiny St. Kitts and Nevis, its toll is unmistakable. September 23, 2025. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/con-job-climate-change-job-212815410.html