Trump’s “Reckless” Move on Paris Would Abandon U.S. Climate and Clean Energy Leadership

WASHINGTON – According to news reports, President Trump is planning to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, the landmark global commitment that 195 nations approved  to combat climate change.

The following is a statement by Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“If true, this is a reckless and foolish mistake, and our kids will pay the price. The Paris climate accord is a triumph of American leadership. It’s about doing what’s best for our people at home—spurring clean energy innovation and creating millions of good-paying jobs, while protecting our children and communities from pollution. And we got the whole world to join us.

“Trump would be walking away from that American victory, abandoning U.S. climate and clean energy leadership and breaking our promise to the rest of the world. Foreign leaders would remember that the next time we need their cooperation on what’s important to us.

“This is not putting America first: It’s putting fossil fuel profits ahead of the national interest. We have a right to demand better from our president and to fight for our children’s future.”

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago; Bozeman, Montana; and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.