Palau’s invitation to Trump wasted on a climate change denier

OPINION: Is Donald Trump the great climate change denier that he's been painted as?

Naturally, I'd say yes, given the policy platform he pushed at this year's election.

But an opportunity has just presented itself for Trump to see firsthand the impacts of climate change, thanks to an invitation by Palau’s President, Surangel Samuel Whipps Jr, to the Pacific.

Now, dare I say, this could be an opportunity for Trump to see the damage caused by reckless decision-making that prioritises fossil fuels over renewable energies options.

For a bit of context, Palau is a small nation that is already feeling the impacts of rising tides and sea levels, as are a number of other island Pacific nations.

A visit to the Pacific may help Trump see that climate change is real and already harming people.

Although, let's be real, let's be frank, the visit will never happen.

Trump is more occupied with his America first agenda, that he likely wouldn't even care about places like the Pacific, or at least from a climate change perspective. Maybe from a strategic perspective because of China's growing influence in the region that Trump may want to counter.

But when it comes to climate change, seems like the man doesn't even take it seriously.

Take, for example, Trump's pick for energy secretary Chris Wright. Have you heard of this man?

Now, this man is a campaign donor and known fossil fuel boss.

That is a disastrous appointment, as are a number of other appointments that Donald Trump has made in the weeks since the US election. Questionable choices have been made.

But to have your energy secretary, who one would naturally assume would push for more renewable options, you've put a man in charge of it who was a former fossil fuels boss.

So everything that's come out of this Trump administration in the past, and what's coming forward in the future, I have no hope, truly, for Pacific Island nations when it comes to support from the US from a climate change perspective.

Because we know this trip is never going to happen.

Bless Palau's president for extending an invite, but in the real world, I just don't think Donald Trump has the appetite to even want to visit the Pacific for that perspective.

That's Will's Word.