- Obama, Macron, Trudeau, Others Condemn decision
- “It’s a mistake for our planet” – Macron
- Regardless of Trump’s decision, Obama urges states, cities and businesses to protect future generation
The New Diplomat with Agency Report
The announcement by U.S. President, Donald Trump to withdraw the United States’ support for the Paris Agreement, a unifying accord between 194 nations to combat climate change and global warming has sparked global reactions and backlash from world leaders.
In the shocking announcement,Trump also said he will begin negotiations to “re-enter either the Paris accord or really entirely new transaction” that is more “fair” to the US and its economy.
“As president, I can put no other consideration before the well-being of American citizens. The Paris climate accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries,” he said.
The New Diplomat recalls in the heat of his presidential campaign last year, Trump has famously stated that climate change is a “hoax”.
He has also openly criticised and promised to reverse President Obama’s green energy policies throughout his presidential campaign.
The Paris Agreement marked a historic turning point for the global response towards climate change when world leaders from 195 countries united for the first time in history, pledging to curb global warming by lowering emissions.
With its exit, the US joins Syria and Nicaragua as the only three countries who are not participating in the accord.
Below are reactions The New Diplomat gathered from world leaders as Trump’s announcement has since been widely criticized by his fellow heads of state, politicians, and even his former high-profile advisers:
1. MACRON: Calling the decision a “mistake”, French President Emmanuel Macron concluded his speech by using Trump’s infamous campaign slogan against him
I do respect President Trump’s decision but I think it’s a mistake for our planet.
“It is not a future we want for ourselves, it is not a future we want for our children, it is not a future we want for our world,” he said in an impromptu conference following Trump’s announcement.
Macron also called on scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and citizens who are disappointed with US’ decision to continue working on concrete climate solutions in France.
Then Macron threw some pretty epic shade at Trump, concluding his speech with, “Make the planet great again.”
2. TRUDEAU: In a response specifically referring to the “US federal government”, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau maintains that they will “remain inspired by the growing momentum around the world to combat climate change”
3. Despite Trump’s wishes to renegotiate the accord, the leaders of Italy, France, and Germany have insisted that the terms of the Paris Agreement are non-negotiable.
“We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris Agreement cannot be renegotiated since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies,” Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Emmanuel Macron said in a rare joint statement.
4. Former POTUS Barack Obama, who considered the Paris Climate Accord one of his highest achievements, remains confident that states and cities will continue pursuing a low-carbon future “even in the absence of American leadership.”
Read Obama’s full statement:
“A year and a half ago, the world came together in Paris around the first-ever global agreement to set the world on a low-carbon course and protect the world we leave to our children.
“It was steady, principled American leadership on the world stage that made that achievement possible. It was bold American ambition that encouraged dozens of other nations to set their sights higher as well. And what made that leadership and ambition possible was America’s private innovation and public investment in growing industries like wind and solar – industries that created some of the fastest new streams of good-paying jobs in recent years, and contributed to the longest streak of job creation in our history.
“Simply put, the private sector already chose a low-carbon future. And for the nations that committed themselves to that future, the Paris Agreement opened the floodgates for businesses, scientists, and engineers to unleash high-tech, low-carbon investment and innovation on an unprecedented scale.
“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. 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.”
5. Mayors from 82 US cities have banded together and pledged to “adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement”
“We will continue to lead. We are increasing investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. We will buy and create more demand for electric cars and trucks. We will increase our efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, create a clean energy economy, and stand for environmental justice.
And if the President wants to break the promises made to our allies enshrined in the historic Paris Agreement, we’ll build and strengthen relationships around the world to protect the planet from devastating climate risks,” said the Climate Mayors in an open letter condemning Trump’s decision.
6. Three of the US’ biggest states – California, New York, and Washington – have also come together to form the United States Climate Alliance Formed by state governors Jay Inslee of Washington, Andrew Cuomo of New York, and Jerry Brown of California on 1 June, the Alliance pledges to uphold the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change within their borders.
By the end of 1 June, seven more states have joined the Alliance, namely Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
7. When announcing his decision, Trump said he was “elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.” But, the mayor of Pittsburgh has begged to differ.
In a tweet, Representative Mike Doyle, representing Pittsburgh, also said, “President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement shows that he doesn’t understand the research on climate change and the impact it will have.
Today’s reversal on the Paris Agreement is foolhardy and incredibly disappointing. President Trump clearly doesn’t understand the Paris treaty – and he certainly doesn’t understand my district.”
8. Tearing into Trump for not fulfilling his top priority to “protect the people”, former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urged citizens to “rise up” and start a clean energy revolution themselves.
