The president announced today that the United States will be withdrawing from participation in the Paris Agreement, aimed at combating global climate change.
According to the United Nations, 195 countries, including the United States, signed onto the Paris Agreement, which”requires all Parties to put forward their best efforts through “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs) and to strengthen these efforts in the years ahead. This includes requirements that all Parties report regularly on their emissions and on their implementation efforts.”
Speaking on the withdrawal from Paris, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) released a statement today saying: “This decision may be a win for Steve Bannon and Scott Pruitt and those who share their extremist views, but it’s a loss for everyone else… Climate disruption is a planetary crisis, and we need every nation on the front lines of this battle. For America to retreat is a massive failure of leadership at a critical moment.”
Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) today issued this statement after the president’s announcement:
“The United States leads the world in energy innovation, driven by a robust and competitive free market that is producing more affordable, reliable, and efficient energy than ever before. Technological developments in all forms of energy generation, combined with new information and communication technologies have the ability to produce even better outcomes for consumers and the environment. These innovations and increased domestic energy production are among the reasons that our CO2 emissions are in steady decline and lower today than they were in 1994.
“The technologies creating these benefits will continue to be driven by consumer demand and market forces, and the Energy and Commerce Committee will seek to ensure that states and regulators utilize their proper authorities to deliver energy that is affordable, reliable, secure, and efficient. We remain committed to modernizing our energy infrastructure, updating energy programs of the past, and putting consumer interests first. Doing this, we can develop solid, sustainable public policy that supports both a strong economy and clean environment.”
In a statement released today, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) said: “Trump’s decision to backtrack on America’s commitment to fight climate change will further damage our environment and leave American’s sicker and poorer… The United States must be part of the solution and keep its seat at the global decision-making table.”
Governor Kate Brown said today: “Climate change poses the greatest threat to Oregon’s environment, economy, and way of life. Oregon has a strong tradition of fighting climate change, and we will not back down.”
Withdrawing from the Paris Accord will take several years, meaning the final decision could be up to U.S. voters in the 2020 presidential election.
President Trump regularly attacked and mocked the Accord during his 2016 presidential campaign, citing financial harm to the US economy. Pulling out of the Paris Accord comes just four days after German Chancellor Angela Merkel was quoted as saying, “Europe can no longer rely on its American and British Allies,” after meeting with other world leaders at a G7 Summit in Italy.
Are you in opposition of the United States withdrawing from the Paris Agreement?
The World Wide Fund for Nature sent out a statement to supporters today, urging citizens to contact their Senators and tell them to support the Paris Agreement.
Contact information for your Oregon delegation:
Congressman Greg Walden’s Bend Office: (541) 389-4408
Senator Ron Wyden’s Bend Office: (541) 330-9142
Senator Jeff Merkley’s Bend Office: (541) 318-1298
This article appears in May 31 – Jun 7, 2017.
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Our president is a terrorist. His ruthless disregard for the environment in the interest of some bogus economic gains is arguably the worst of his many horrible actions so far. Pulling out of the Paris Accord amounts to nothing less than terrorism.
The liar in chief is doing everything he can to take the pressure off of his collusion, obstruction of justice and Rico Act problems. They won’t go away, but America can make this a**hat go away. If you are stupid enough to buy into his lies and anti American rhetoric, then maybe Russia is the place for you. The blue states will still back the accord and anyone in their right mind will join them. That will only leave about 29% of the idiots in this country on the GOP side. Even Exxon and Conoco said we should stay. It is time to take a stand against the politicians trying to kill your children and grand children. Get involved, get educated and fight these clowns.