It seems almost a certainty: Trump has decided to withdraw from the Paris climate accord

Robert Reich
5.31.2017

It seems almost a certainty: Trump has decided to withdraw from the Paris climate accord -- the nearly 200-nation agreement, the most comprehensive climate pact ever negotiated.

To do so quickly, he is considering removing the United States from the underlying 1992 United Nations treaty under which the world's nations negotiated (a formal withdrawal from Paris would take three years, but exiting the 1992 treaty could be done more quickly).

This is not an economic decision. Trump is feeding his base. His economic advisors, business leaders, and even his daughter have all advised against the move.

The decision is a significant break with nearly every other nation on earth, and there will be profound diplomatic fallout.

The United States, measured by emissions cuts through 2030, makes up a large portion -- 21 percent -- of the Paris climate agreement. The exit of the United States -- the world’s largest economy and second-largest greenhouse gas polluter -- will not dissolve the 195-nation pact, which was legally ratified last year. But it could set off a cascade of events that would have profound negative effects on the planet. Other countries that reluctantly joined the agreement could now withdraw or soften their commitments to cutting planet-warming pollution.

Once again, Trump brings shame on the United States and on the American people, and sets out on a course that will harm millions if not billions of people.

To the rest of the people on this planet, we can only say this: Trump doesn’t represent the views of us. We are doing what we can to shorten his tenure as president. We will be back with you and with sane policies to protect the world as soon as possible.

What do you think?

Source
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