There are few statistics on 2025 fossil fuel imports, exports, production, and consumption in the United States. However, in 2024, the United States exported 31% of its fossil fuel production–out of the 103 quadrillion British thermal units that were produced that year in the US, about 31 quads went to other countries. As for imports into the US, 30.2 quads were brought in from other countries in 2024. The most recent fossil fuel consumption estimate for the United States was for 2024, when the Biden Administration was still in office. However, in just 2025 alone, with the Trump Administration rampantly upping American fossil fuel usage, it is estimated that this percentage increase was around 2.4%. 

Unfortunately, the United States is one of the few countries in the world that is not adhering to the standards of the Paris Climate Agreement. As fossil fuel consumption continues to increase under this administration, it is appropriate to presume that the United States will be a major contributor to accelerating the climate crisis in the next few years. If the United States were to adopt a climate-friendly plan, what would that look like?

The work would have to be collaborative, with all hands on deck, including governments at all levels, nonprofits, and private businesses working together to reach the common goal. In addition, students, social justice activists, healthcare professionals, and indigenous leaders should especially participate in the effort to maintain a healthy future for all, drawing on the wisdom of those who hold a wealth of knowledge and tradition. This would be especially necessary to undo the damage this current administration has caused to the environment and climate under its current policy standards.

Many different types of policies could be implemented, for example, supporting companies focused on renewable energy development and maintenance, phasing out coal and other fossil fuels, and closing coal plants by 2030.

 Limiting future oil and gas permits in areas with wells is a start; eventually, the permits should be given phaseout dates so they can expire before continuing to extract too much through techniques such as fracking. Another policy would be for the government to provide incentives for its citizens to weatherize homes and install electric appliances rather than relying on gas. An additional resolution would be to provide incentives for companies that manufacture electric cars and tax breaks for citizens who buy them. Finally, I would promote sustainability practices across the economy and reinstate the Justice40 Accelerator established by the Biden Administration. These are all important policies and goals to have in place. Still, mostly to make our economy rely less on fossil fuels, we need people in the federal, state, and local government to be on our side, not as citizens who are currently being exploited by our current Administration for profit.

It would also be important to develop foreign and domestic policies to reduce oil trade, to rejoin the Paris Agreement, and to be part of the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative. It is time for the United States to step up rather than step out and discard the progress it has made. This government is recklessly abusing its citizens for the profit of the wealthy. It is making the world more susceptible to the effects of climate change by taking a step backward toward reliance on fossil fuels. Increased international collaboration would help prevent our country from becoming one large, isolationist oil well.

This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard US Country Manager, Abby Carlson.