Sociologist Mimi Sheller claims the Trump administration prefers fossil‑fuel dependence over a green transition, describing US policy as a ‘negative transition’ that sacrifices ecology for elite hypermobility
Executive summary: Sociologist Mimi Sheller published an op‑Ed in Le Monde accusing the Trump administration of choosing fossil‑fuel reliance over a green transition, terming the approach a ‘negative transition’ driven by carbon capital and tech elites. The commentary highlights the political and cultural resistance to climate policies in the United States, potentially influencing public opinion, investment sentiment in energy sectors, and future legislative debates on emissions and renewable support.
Who is involved: Mimi Sheller (sociologist), Trump administration, carbon‑intensive capital, major technology firms, and affluent elites whose hypermobility is cited as a driver of the alleged policy preference.
Likely next: Continued public and scholarly critique of US energy policy, possible legislative pushbacks on fossil‑fuel subsidies, and market watch for any shifts in federal climate regulation or incentives for renewable energy.
In a Le Monde op‑Ed, Sheller argues that carbon‑intensive capital and major tech firms are steering the United States toward a trajectory that favors fossil fuels while undermining climate action. She links this to a broader pattern of elite mobility that prioritizes convenience over environmental sustainability. The piece does not present new data but frames ongoing policy debates in moral and sociological terms. As commentary, its immediate market impact is limited, yet it signals growing dissent among academics and advocacy groups regarding US energy direction.
Timeline
- — Mimi Sheller, sociologue : « L’administration Trump a préféré la mort par les combustibles fossiles à la transition verte » (Le Monde — Économie)
Analysis — what this means
Sectors affected
- Oil and gas
- Renewable energy
- Automotive (diesel segment)
- Technology (carbon‑intensive capital)
Key entities
Sources
- Mimi Sheller, sociologue : « L’administration Trump a préféré la mort par les combustibles fossiles à la transition verte » — Le Monde — Économie