Donald Trump starts withdrawing US from Paris agreement to tackle climate change
President of the United States Donald Trump has formally begun to withdraw the US from the Paris agreement in an attempt to tackle climate change.
The White House notified the UN Monday that it has begun to break away from the agreement, signed by Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama in 2016.
Trump announced plans to break away from the pact in June 2017, claiming it was a ‘total disaster’ for the United States.
Monday was the first day Trump could have started the formal process, which is set to be completed on November 4, 2020 – one day after the 2020 presidential election.
However, if a Democrat wins the election, the US could reenter the Paris Accord after a brief absence.
The United States is the only country in the world that does not support the Paris climate agreement, which aims to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep the global temperature down.
In a statement issued Monday afternoon, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: ‘In international climate discussions, we will continue to offer a realistic and pragmatic model – backed by a record of real world results – showing innovation and open markets lead to greater prosperity, fewer emissions, and more secure sources of energy.’
The Walking Dead's composer reveals Secrets Behind The SoundtrackThe statement continued: ‘We will continue to work with our global partners to enhance resilience to the impacts of climate change and prepare for and respond to natural disasters.’
Critics and environmental advocates have hit out at Trump in the wake of Monday’s announcement, calling his decision irresponsible and dangerous.
In a statement to The Washington Post, Andrew Steer, President of the World Resources Institute wrote: ‘Abandoning the Paris Agreement is cruel to future generations, leaving the world less safe and productive.’
‘It also fails people in the United States, who will lose out on clean energy jobs, as other nations grab the competitive and technological advantages that the low-carbon future offers.’