Trump administration could roll back US environmental protection, critics fear

Fossil fuel executives and climate change skeptics, including former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, feature among the candidates for key environmental roles

The future of America's basic environmental protection has been thrown into doubt, with a host of fossil fuel executives and climate change skeptics set to get key roles in Donald Trump's new administration, including a potential return to political life for Sarah Palin.

Palin, the former Alaska governor and vice-presidential nominee, is thought to be in the running to become interior secretary in a Trump presidency. The move would put Palin, a vocal proponent of oil and gas drilling, in charge of America's public lands, including prized national parks such as Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Everglades.