Trump's Decision to Leave Paris Agreement Puts Health and Wellbeing of Americans at Risk

The Trump administration has given written notice to the United Nations Secretary General of its intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, which was adopted by nearly 200 countries in 2015 to limit global climate change; under the provisions of the Agreement, the withdrawal will take formal effect on November 4, 2020 - one day after the presidential election.

Below is a statement from Alden Meyer, director of strategy and policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and a leading expert on the United Nation's international climate negotiations process.

"President Trump's decision to walk away from the Paris Agreement is irresponsible and shortsighted. All too many people are already experiencing the costly and harmful impacts of climate change in the form of rising seas, more intense hurricanes and wildfires, and record-breaking temperatures. The Paris Agreement is our best hope to mount an effective global response to the climate crisis, which is why it has resounding support from a majority of Americans.

"President Trump's anti-science stance on climate change puts the profits of fossil fuel polluters above the health and well-being of current and future generations. It also impedes the ability of American companies and workers to compete with other countries like China and Germany in the rapidly expanding market for climate-friendly technologies.

"Fortunately, no other country is following President Trump out the door on Paris, and here at home, states, cities and businesses representing more than half of the U.S. GDP and population have committed to take action to meet the Paris Agreement's goals. Unlike the president, these leaders understand that reducing emissions creates jobs and protects local communities, while it is inaction on climate that poses the real threat to prosperity."