What do you believe is the single most important factor driving up the cost of living in Nigeria?

The United States is producing more oil and natural gas today than ever before, and far more than any other country. So, what roles did the Trump-Pence and Biden-Harris administrations play in this surge?

The answer might surprise you, given the way each has talked publicly about fossil fuels: former President Donald Trump embracing them, and President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris focusing on reducing fossil fuel use to fight climate change.

Under each of the three most recent presidencies, Republican and Democratic alike, U.S. oil and gas production was higher at the end of the administration's term than at the beginning.

That production has both pros and cons. Together, oil and gas account for nearly three-quarters of U.S. energy consumption. Producing oil and gas in the U.S. provides energy security, and high production generally keeps prices down. Burning oil and gas, however, releases carbon dioxide into the air, contributing to climate change. And natural gas is mostly methane—another potent greenhouse gas.

As a scholar who works on both energy and public policy, I follow the federal government's actions involving oil, gas and coal. With Trump and Harris facing off in the November presidential election, let's take a look at how each influenced fossil fuel production and emissions.

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