A DIVERSION is being taken this week from continuing the conversation on the Green Economy — which I’ll return to next week — to address the election of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States (U.S). Last Tuesday, the electorate went to the polls. While the majority voted for Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump won the presidency on a system where each state has been assigned Electoral College (EC) votes. The presidency of the U.S. is not determined on the popular vote, but on the acquisition of the minimum 270 EC votes.

From the utterances of Trump during the campaign, though in part they provided comedic relief, some were downright shocking and would give rise to speculation as to the state of global affairs under his presidency. Trump’s comments on the campaign were inflammatory and polarising. He also demonstrated a cavalier attitude in his paucity of knowledge on issues that impact the U.S. and its international relations.

Watching reactions in the election aftermath we see daily protests across the country based on what was said during the campaign and his treatment of women and minorities. People are concerned and fearful. Democratic lawmakers, civil society, and media that are shifting their focus from Trump’s coverage based on ratings, are too addressing the possibilities under his presidency and sending a clear message. It is a message that while he will be given the space to govern, he will be held accountable and confronted as needs be.

What happens internally will have an impact on Trump’s style of governance. Similarly, it cannot be ignored that the Republicans control the three branches of government, given the likelihood that the vacant Supreme Court seat will be filled by a conservative judge, tilting the court in their favour. This is tremendous power, at least in the next two years, that could embolden decision-making that would ignore holistic reality and the welfare of all.

For instance, if the White House (Executive), Legislature (Congress) and Supreme Court (Judicature) decide to deny women their reproductive rights, it can have global implications for women, family-planning, and poverty. It is public knowledge that the Republicans’ position on this issue and the acts Republican-dominated state governments have taken to this end. The denial of this right means the criminalisation of certain choices and services. In addition to stripping women of their dignity, U.S. historical financial support in this area would be withdrawn, and this can increase global poverty in which family-planning plays a role in averting.

On war and terrorism, Trump made known his support for water-boarding, which was practised during the George W. Bush administration, and outlawed under the Obama administration. Water-boarding, which is a technique used to extract information from perceived enemies of the U.S., not only violated human rights but energised extremists to hate the West and its allies.   The world today in addition to witnessing terrorist acts by governments and organisations, see persons operating on their own based on the ideology promoted by extremists.

The moral and legal high ground the Obama administration took in ensuring justice for the perceived wrongs done to the U.S., though it may be seen as weak on the part of some, for the advancement of human rights and world peace it remains the best approach. You cannot violate the rights of some in the hope of protecting the rights of others, because such approach doesn’t bring positive results, it inflames, ignites and divides.

The world faces the issue of climate change and its threat to the ecosystem and human existence. These threats are not driven by gut-feelings but hard scientific evidence. Trump is dismissive of this clear and present danger to the future of our planet, calling it a hoax. They are Republicans in the legislature who do not believe in climate change and have engaged in various acts of obstructionism to Obama’s efforts to provide leadership, internally and externally.

The Climate Change Agreement signed this year saw the U.S. committing significant support — technical and financial — to avert the threats to our existence. For the sake of the world we have to hope Trump’s view is idle chatter and he would pay attention to scientific evidence in informing decisions on this issue. Otherwise we have to brace ourselves for the U.S. either not honouring its commitment to the agreement, or moving to having it squashed.

The Obama administration has undoubtedly advanced the entrenching of human rights around the world and moved to improve governance through a more people-centred approach which entails respecting human rights and being subject to the rule of law. We are not sure if a Trump presidency will see continuity.

We have to be concerned, very concerned, should the things said by Trump on the campaign trail represent his true thinking and will shape his policies and programmes, internally and externally. With a legislature to back him, equally as the people in the U.S. will stand up to his government, we too have to position ourselves to lend support in bringing about an equitable world, respecting the rights of all, working for our collective development, and protecting the environment for the benefit of future generations.