Trump says U.S. to withdraw from Paris climate accord

[webfact]

Trump says U.S. to withdraw from Paris climate accord

By Valerie Volcovici and Jeff Mason

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Donald Trump announces his decision that the United States will withdraw from the landmark Paris Climate Agreement, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, U.S., June 1, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Thursday said he will withdraw the United States from the landmark 2015 global agreement to fight climate change, spurning pleas from U.S. allies and corporate leaders in an action that fulfilled a major campaign pledge.

 

"We're getting out," Trump said at a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden in which he decried the Paris accord's "draconian" financial and economic burdens. He said American withdrawal "represents a reassertion of American sovereignty."

 

Trump said the United States would begin negotiations either to re-enter the Paris accord or to have a new agreement "on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers."

 

With Trump's action, the United States will walk away from nearly every nation in the world on one of the pressing global issues of the 21st century. The pullout will align the United States with Syria and Nicaragua as the world's only non-participants in the accord.

 

Trump tapped into the "America First" message he used when he was elected president last year, saying, "I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris."

 

"We don't want other leaders and other countries laughing at us any more. And they won't be," Trump added.

 

"In order to fulfil my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord," Trump said.

 

The United States was one of 195 nations that agreed to the accord in Paris in December 2015, a deal that former U.S. President Barack Obama was instrumental in brokering.

 

Obama, in a statement, expressed regret over Trump's action.

 

"The nations that remain in the Paris agreement will be the nations that reap the benefits in jobs and industries created. I believe the United States of America should be at the front of the pack," Obama said.

 

"But even in the absence of American leadership; even as this administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I’m confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we’ve got," Obama added.

 

Supporters of the accord condemned Trump's move as an abdication of American leadership and an international disgrace.

 

"At this moment, when climate change is already causing devastating harm around the world, we do not have the moral right to turn our backs on efforts to preserve this planet for future generations," said U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who sought the Democratic presidential nomination last year.

 

"Ignoring reality and leaving the Paris agreement could go down as one of the worst foreign policy blunders in our nation's history, isolating the U.S. further after Trump's shockingly bad European trip," Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse added.

 

Under the pact, which was years in the making, nations both rich and poor committed to reducing emissions of so-called greenhouse gases generated by burning fossils fuels and blamed by scientists for warming the planet.

 

The United States had committed to reduce its emissions by 26 percent to 28 percent from 2005 levels by 2025. The United States, exceeded only by China in greenhouse gas emissions, accounts for more than 15 percent of the worldwide total.

 

Trump, who campaigned for president last year with an "America First" message, promised voters an American withdrawal.

 

U.S. supporters of the pact said any pullout by Trump would show that the United States can no longer be trusted to follow through on international commitments.

 

International leaders had pressed Trump not to abandon the accord. At their meeting last month, the pope gave Trump a signed copy of his 2015 encyclical letter that called for protecting the environment from the effects of climate change and backed scientific evidence that it is caused by human activity.

 

Despite pressure from allies in the Group of Seven rich nations at a meeting in Italy last week, Trump had refused to endorse the agreement, rebuffing leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Britain.

 

Virtually every nation voluntarily committed to steps aimed at curbing global emissions of "greenhouse" gases such as carbon dioxide generated from burning of fossil fuels.

 

Leading climate scientists say the emissions trap heat in the atmosphere and have caused a warming planet, sea level rise, droughts and more frequent violent storms.

 

Last year was the warmest since records began in the 19th century, as global average temperatures continued a rise dating back decades that scientists attribute to greenhouse gases.

 

They warned that U.S. withdrawal from the deal could speed up the effects of global climate change, worsening heat waves, floods, droughts and storms.

 

During the campaign, Trump said the accord would cost the U.S. economy trillions of dollars with no tangible benefit. Trump has expressed doubts about climate change, at times calling it a hoax to weaken U.S. industry.

 

CAMPAIGN PROMISE

 

The Republican vowed during the campaign to "cancel" the Paris deal within 100 days of becoming president on Jan. 20, part of an effort to bolster U.S. oil and coal industries.

 

China, which overtook the United States as the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in 2007, and the European Union will seek on Friday to buttress the Paris agreement, with Li meeting top EU officials in Brussels.

 

In a statement backed by all 28 EU states, the EU and China were poised to commit to full implementation of the agreement, officials said.

 

Trump has already moved to dismantle Obama-era climate change regulations, including the U.S. Clean Power Plan aimed at reducing emissions from main coal-fired power plants.

 

Some U.S. states, including California, Washington and New York, have vowed to continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and continue engaging in the international climate agreement process.

 

Oil majors Shell and ExxonMobil Corp supported the Paris pact. Several big coal companies, including Cloud Peak Energy, had publicly urged Trump to stay in the deal as a way to help protect the industry's mining interests overseas, though others asked Trump to exit the accord to help ease regulatory pressures on domestic miners.

 

For a graphic on the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit climate change, click - http://tmsnrt.rs/2f3oKDV

 

(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici, Timothy Gardner, Jeff Mason, and Roberta Rampton; Additional reporting by Robin Emmott and Robert-Jan Bartunek in Brussels, Michelle Nichols at the UN; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Cynthia Osterman)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-06-02

[mesquite]

Cue the whiners.  And 3...2...1.

Edited June 1, 2017 by mesquite

[Enoon]

 

Congratulations China, you just acquired a huge chunk of moral high ground.

 

At a knock down price.

 

 

[Scott]

Troll post removed. 

[Jingthing]

trump degrades America.

 

 

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/01/opinions/america-loses-credibility-opinion-andelman/index.html

 

Quote

 

Trump to planet: Drop dead

"America First" is becoming increasingly America alone. Somehow, Donald Trump has managed, with a single, desperate and ill-conceived stroke, to sever the United States from the rest of the world.

 

 

[sujoop]

So, the US now joins Nicaragua and Syria as the big 3 countries which are NOT part of the global climate agreement.

 

Thus, as the rest of the world moves forward, Trump counts on coal, nationalism and isolationism as the best paths 'forward' for the future for the US. This really came down to just 2 things: 1) Obama was for it -and 2) Trump felt slighted by our allies who he alienated and was boorish to on his 'forget about  Russia investigations and my worst approval ratings in history' overseas trip. Thus we and our children and their children all must suffer the consequences from the decisions of this petty, vain and Simpsons cartoon like simpleton caricature who is masquerading as leader of the free world.

 

 

 

Edited June 1, 2017 by sujoop

[Jingthing]

It gets worse. Thanks to trump.

One of the darkest days in American history. 

 

 

Quote

 

Trump's Paris pullout leaves America's global leadership in flames

Today is the day that America's global leadership ends. Congratulations, Washington, you have become worse than useless. You are now positively dangerous. Leaving the Paris Climate Agreement is leaving the civilized world.

 

 

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/trump-paris-pullout-america-global-leadership-ends-article-1.3213353

[habanero]

To those that think this is  "One of the darkest days in American history."  You really have not been paying attention. 

[sujoop]

54 minutes ago, sujoop said:

So, the US now joins Nicaragua and Syria as the big 3 countries which are NOT part of the global climate agreement.

 

Thus, as the rest of the world moves forward, Trump counts on coal, nationalism and isolationism as the best paths 'forward' for the future for the US.

 

 

 

 

 

Covfefe...any further comment would be superfluous

[bartender100]

Sha la la la la la live for today
Sha la la la la la live for today
And don't worry 'bout tomorrow, hey
Sha la la la la la live for today (live for today)

[sujoop]

This is a bit over the top but anything's possible at this point and Trump is defacto buying into Putin's 'grand' plan by all but thumbing his nose at the global climate  agreement:
 

Trump Buys Into Putin Plan To Melt The Arctic

The grand aim is to allow global climate change to melt the Arctic and turn the water at the top of the world into a lucrative oil and gas field, as well as a network of efficient new sea lines Russia will control.

 

 “Climate change brings in more favorable conditions and improves the economic potential of this region,” Putin told CNBC..

 

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-buys-putin-plan-melt-150621501.html

 

 

Edited June 1, 2017 by sujoop

[Ahab]

The Paris Agreement would spend 100 trillion dollars to possibly decrease the temperature 100 years from now by an immeasurable 0.03 degrees. It was a silly feel good agreement designed to transfer wealth. Good riddance.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[dcutman]

Its a non binding, non enforceable agreement. So whats the big deal about?

BTW, have we not already past the point of no return on climate change?

 

[darksidedog]

I wonder now if Americans are waking up to the enormity of what they have done? If they needed proof there was an idiot at the helm, they surely have it now.

[crystal sauce]

5 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

I wonder now if Americans are waking up to the enormity of what they have done? If they needed proof there was an idiot at the helm, they surely have it now.

Who told you American presidents run the show 

After JFK everything changed regarding who is in control.

Edited June 2, 2017 by crystal sauce

[sujoop]

WHITE HOUSE: The Paris climate accord "would effectively decapitate our coal industry, which now supplies about one-third of our electric power."

 

THE FACTS: The U.S. coal industry was in decline long before the Paris accord was signed in 2015. The primary cause has been competition from cleaner-burning natural gas, which has been made cheaper and more abundant by hydraulic fracturing. Electric utilities have been replacing coal plants with gas-fired facilities because they are more efficient and less expensive to operate.

 

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/ap-fact-check-trumps-shaky-claims-on-climate-accord/articleshow/58953525.cms

 

 

Edited June 2, 2017 by sujoop

[canuckamuck]

18 minutes ago, Ahab said:

The Paris Agreement would spend 100 trillion dollars to possibly decrease the temperature 100 years from now by an immeasurable 0.03 degrees. It was a silly feel good agreement designed to transfer wealth. Good riddance.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

And with no evidence that the change would even occur or that it would even be beneficial to effect that change.

History proves warming is better than cooling.

[Usernames]

Only by Obama's diktat and imagination was the US ever part of the Paris Treaty.  Because congress must ratify all treaties.  This treaty was never ratified.  Never even debated.  The US didn't really pull out because it was never actually in.

[KarenBravo]

2 minutes ago, Usernames said:

Only by Obama's diktat and imagination was the US ever part of the Paris Treaty.  Because congress must ratify all treaties.  This treaty was never ratified.  Never even debated.  The US didn't really pull out because it was never actually in.

Then why is it going to take four years to withdraw from the treaty?

[sujoop]

10 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

And with no evidence that the change would even occur or that it would even be beneficial to effect that change.

History proves warming is better than cooling.

 How comforting to know Donald Trump and a minority of supporters will 'take that risk' on behalf of our children and  our planet......

 

Meanwhile, again, why on EARTH not try?

 

Edited June 2, 2017 by sujoop

[Usernames]

2 minutes ago, KarenBravo said:

Then why is it going to take four years to withdraw from the treaty?

Says who? Snopes. Propaganda. Nobody can enforce an international agreement that was only concluded by the president in an executive order without senate ratification. If the US says it is out, it's out. Who is going to make them participate?  The World Police? The EU? Communist China?

[darksidedog]

2 hours ago, sujoop said:

So, the US now joins Nicaragua and Syria as the big 3 countries which are NOT part of the global climate agreement.

 

And remember, Nicaragua didn'tjoin because it felt the agreement didn't go far enough, which leave the US right alongside Syria. Half the world has been trying to get rid of the leader of Syria, and I suspect an even larger number will now be praying for the removal of the US idiot leader too.

[canuckamuck]

2 minutes ago, sujoop said:

 How comforting to know Donald Trump and a minority of supporters will 'take that risk' on behalf of our children and  everyone else......

 

Meanwhile, again, why on EARTH not try?

 

The Paris accord will not guarantee any of the things from your cartoon. And who's to say those things won't be easier with a warmer climate. I have nothing against the battle against pollution. I do not see the logic in the approach that CO2 needs to be a controlled substance. Nor the massive societal cost that controlling it requires.

[sujoop]

2 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

The Paris accord will not guarantee any of the things from your cartoon. And who's to say those things won't be easier with a warmer climate. I have nothing against the battle against pollution. I do not see the logic in the approach that CO2 needs to be a controlled substance. Nor the massive societal cost that controlling it requires.

Again, how comforting that your vast minority plus  Donald Trump, Nicaragua and Syria agree and 'will take that risk' on everyone's behalf...

[lovelomsak]

Good for him he did it. When china and other Asian countries start caring about doing something positive about climate change and pollution then maybe America will do something too. America has to stop being a fool. America is a puppet that has been played by smarter lead nations for to long, Nations that will not let themselves serve special interest groups or minorities. Trump is the putting an end to that in America and go for him

Edited June 2, 2017 by lovelomsak

[Usernames]

9 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

The Paris accord will not guarantee any of the things from your cartoon. And who's to say those things won't be easier with a warmer climate. I have nothing against the battle against pollution. I do not see the logic in the approach that CO2 needs to be a controlled substance. Nor the massive societal cost that controlling it requires.

 

Here is what will likely happen: "the U.S. may well achieve its pledged greenhouse emission reductions, regardless of the Paris agreement. According to the Energy Information Administration, energy-related carbon emissions have declined from about 6,000 million metric tons in 2005 (the agreement's baseline date) to 5,170 in 2016 — a 14 percent reduction in a decade. Ironically, neither Obama nor any climate treaties are responsible for that reduction. It's largely a result of power plants transitioning from coal to cleaner-burning natural gas, which is more affordable and abundant due to the fracking revolution."

 

What will NOT happen is Obama's self approval of the appropriation of American taxpayer dollars to other countries throughout the world (the bribe money that generated the approval of "the rest of the world" to the treaty).

 

http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/energy-environment/334973-senate-deserves-right-of-refusal-on-paris-agreement

Edited June 2, 2017 by Usernames

[harrry]

What is the use of an accord which permits the worlds largest polluters like China and India free reign while adding costs to the countries that abide by them.  One in all in one out all out is what it should be.

[boomerangutang]

40 minutes ago, Ahab said:

The Paris Agreement would spend 100 trillion dollars to possibly decrease the temperature 100 years from now by an immeasurable 0.03 degrees. It was a silly feel good agreement designed to transfer wealth. Good riddance.

                                Getting nearly every country in the world to agree on improving conditions in the world is no mean feat.  Even if CC was false science (which it's not), the provisions of the Paris Agreement pave the way for cleaner air and water and soil.  

 

                 Who is surprised at Trump's boundless ignorance?   Not I. He's wrong on so many things, it's hard to keep track.

 

37 minutes ago, dcutman said:

Its a non binding, non enforceable agreement. So whats the big deal about?

BTW, have we not already past the point of no return on climate change?

                          Being kind to, and taking care of one's children are not binding / enforceable agreements, but they're good things to do.  Alerting a person to danger, who is about to cross the street and get hit by a speeding truck, is not legally required by law, but it's a good thing to do.  Maybe it's hard for Trump fans to fathom, but some of us do good things for others without being paid to do so.  And we do nice things for others even if it's not required by law.

 

                          Trumpsters can't understand that.   They'd rather flash their middle fingers to everyone who doesn't praise their dear leader.  If that doesn't suffice, they'll pull out their cherished guns, which they all have at the ready.

 

[Usernames]

1 minute ago, boomerangutang said:

Getting nearly every country in the world to agree on improving conditions in the world is no mean feat.  

Which is why the Paris Treaty offered the "poor countries" a bribe in the form of a Green Fund.

[sujoop]

Steve Bannon (and 'whiting-out' Obama) obviously Trumped Mattis....