Re withdrawing from the climate change agreement, Potus was likely aware of the views of Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) back in 2007 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/world/europe/18iht-climate.2.8378031.html?_r=0 Said Chairman Pachauri: "If there's no action (to meet the challenge of climate change) before 2012, that's too late. What we do in the next two to three years will determine our future. This is the defining moment."
Thus, according to a recognized expert's assessment in 2007, it's now some seven years too late to take meaningful action against climate change.
Assuming, for purposes of discussion, that humans can effect changes in climate, Potus also was undoubtedly aware that according to another recognized expert
[James Hansen, former Director NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/jan/HQ_10-017_Warmest_temps_prt.htm ]
whatever we might be able to do , here, in the U.S, to slow the pace of "global warming > climate change", wouldn't have much impact on global conditions: More specifically, Hansen said: "The contiguous 48 states cover only 1.5 percent of the world area, so the United States' temperature does not affect the global temperature much . . "
(not so for Indiahttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/05/02/as-china-cleans-up-its-act-indias-cities-named-the-worlds-most-polluted/?noredirect=on&wpisrc=nl_todayworld&wpmm=1
1
The American Nero. Our world is burning and Trump fiddles.
To underscore the point, all Trump needed was the California fires behind him when he announced pulling out of the voluntary Paris Climate Agreement.
3
We've been reduced to observer status. Not great-again status. Shameful and painful to watch. Vote.
" The United States would still be allowed to attend negotiations and weigh in on proceedings but would be downgraded to observer status."
3
"... (b)ut so far China has resisted pledging to speed up its initial emissions-control targets, which foresee greenhouse gas emissions rising until 2030." Using "foresee" as done here is incorrect - initial control targets do not “foresee” or project any future pattern of emissions. The control targets were set by scientists and politicians neither of which have unquestionable or indisputable clairvoyant foresight. And this is the real problem. The misuse of this phrase is misleading at the very least and done to convey tone and effect to bias the message and influence readers.
1
Environmental terrorism pure and simple. If this isn't grounds for impeachment I don't know what is.
5
Its as if Trump deeply wants to hasten the destruction of earth.
6
This reckless, shortsighted ignorance was evident before Trump was ever elected, but even his opponents could never have predicted just how deeply his pro-business/anti-conservation agenda could damage our country and ultimately the entire planet.
Impeachment proceedings should have begun the day Trump was sworn in as President.
3
I detest Trump. I do not know how anyone does not. He is vain, stupid, ignorant, illiterate, self-serving, mendacious, supercilious, vapid, unethical, fatuous, malignant, malevolent, and perverse. I could forgive all that in some measure as these qualities appear as his resident attributes, but when he attacks the very planet upon which all life depends, he has crossed a line where all social and political limits become null and void. We do not own this world or the 1000000 species we have already put in peril.
7
A spiteful, revengeful, ignorant decision - with global repercussions.
I could fill this whole reply with a string of words + it would not measure up to the sadness and disgust I feel.
8
"Ours is a realistic and pragmatic model." Yesman Pompeo's noggin is a selfish chamber void of any solution to mankind's unfettered emissions of greenhouse gases and toxins. He burped some coal-gas on queue.
"..extending a helping hand to our friends and partners around the globe". More like a help-ourselves hand and a hand to the throat of the next generation's future.
Yesman Pompeo is endearing himself to industry super-donors for a 2024 bid for the Presidency. He'll run on a My God platform, while assuring "I believe in market forces". That "leadership" is a dime a dozen.
1
What Pompeo meant to say is the accord would impose intolerable burdens on the American elite.....They need another tax cut......A country that lies to itself soon cannot recognize the truth...Then they think all are telling lies.....
2
Wow isn’t this just backwater. In my riding, in our recent federal election, the Green Party earned 7000 votes. The rest of the civilized world has tipped forward to acknowledging and therefore taking action on climate change. Poor America has a caveman and his clan at the controls.
2
Having voted for Trump, there is a line in the sand which when crossed means one must consider how much harm one man is doing from the top political position. That line has been galloped over! What is primarily wrong with this is that it is a life threatening move that has been left for ONE man to decide upon! WHY has one man in our government been allowed to make such an erroneous call? This dwarfs all the crazy Twittering and bad mouthing of other leaders. Our votes here will go in a different direction next year. OH, that direction will NOT be the poisonous Democratic party! We do NOT return to our posts.
1
What are we to conclude from this? That the 200 nations that still uphold the Paris Agreement are stupid? I hope those nations are aware that the decision to pull out of it is the product of the stupid mind of one individual. Le them also now that it is part of the vindictive campaign of that individual to demolish all Obama legacies. He embarked on it from day one of his presidency. His name, of course, is Donald Trump.
This is the same man who kept saying that climate change is a “hoax” invented by China. Now that China itself has promised to cooperate with the Paris accord, he may stop repeating that stupidity. Let’s hope that the U.S. pullout doesn't give make China renege on its promise.
It's true that China and India are major contributor to global warming. They have been taking advantage of the U.N. rules that exempt developing nations from the Paris accord regulations. The time has come for them to stop doing it. It's laudable that many developed nations and the EU have come forward to help developing nations that would be hurt by following the restrictions imposed under the Paris accord.
Mike Pompeo is being stupid if he expects any cooperation from “our global partners” in his future work on climate change. They would rather welcome the efforts being made by cities, states and businesses in the U.S. and individuals like former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg than anyone representing an administration that rejected the climate change accord. .
3
@M. P. Prabhakaran of course China is for this accord (though I can't imagine why anyone else in the U.S. would be). We are the largest economic competitor to China. The accord calls for the U.S. to immediately make dramatic changes to our economy and the energy that under girds it. In the meantime, China is allowed to continue business as usual for over a decade and then come up with a plan for how to then decrease their emissions. What makes you think China won't just pull out of the accord in 2030? Hamper our economy now and wait a decade to decide if they will begin to do the same things. Why wouldn't China like that type of accord that treats it's major competitor with such a disadvantage? Explain to me why President Obama would have agreed to let China negotiate such a competitive advantage? Explain why you continue to support China having that advantage over us?
1
Trump can't get credit for a deal that will be momentous in history...therefore he is trying to kill it. It is as simple as that...if he could get credit for saving it...say just before the election, he might just do it. As Rachel Madow likes to say: "Watch this space."
2
This action on Trump's part, and equally, the INaction on resisting him on the part of his supporters in this administration, qualifies as environmental terrorism.
2
It's not only Trump's denial of the science of climate change and his withdrawal of the US from the Paris accord, it's his persistent onslaught of environmentally destructive policies and lack of support for alternative energies that are so damaging. He's taking the nation and therefore the world backward. This is what unenlightened governance looks like.
3
DJT and ilk seem to pretending that the environmental cause is about a semi fake issue.
DJT is what forty plus percent of voters have chosen in 2016 while opinion polls admittedly do seem to be suggesting good for Democrats
We so called pro environmentalists seem to feel that climate change can be diminished, but real folks do not believe that for sure, and I perceive it as an issue
Trump is seemingly backed by the clap trap talk show regressive mentality and rich eccentric greed motivated pacs.
So far , our dirty forty plus seem to prevail.
If the rest of the world hates us for withdrawing from
Paris, then there is not much else to do than cuss/cry, same ole s.
And can Warren/Biden/whoever persuade that forty plus percent that somethings substantive are possible to do, then publicize such like that new thing picking up plastics from lake and creek waters
Folks treasure that because it makes us feel semi optimistic/hopeful for our children/grandchildren
We don’t need experts and consultants to say
an obvious that may motivate fools to think what withdrawing from the Paris accord seems to mean
Because Trump has been blessed by an apparent excellent economy, and despite the fallible polls to the contrary, I emotionally and rationally fear his re-election prospects and urge a simple tactic that
seemingly takes no risk
Words can't Express the discussed,horror and sorrow this evokes in me and I am sure in so many others who care about our earth. On this day Trump has decisively earned his place as the absolute worst world leader on the face of this planet. How unfortunate that he won't be around to see the cataclysm fast approaching from global warming… We have a small sliver of time to turn this around… And now this…
Yes, his goal to be remembered is achieved ... people will be spitting on his grave for decades, far into the future.
3
Fortunately we don't encounter the climate scolds at the gas dock. Boat and Jet ski's are stashed for the winter, but they will be back out again next year.
The emperor may have clothes, but he lacks an informed mind, wisdom, a sense of responsibility to the planet, humility and common sense. Impeachment should consider all these inadequacies in addition to his many other faults and crimes. The impeachment process should be swift and definitive. He must be removed from office and sent packing. If not to jail then to his Florida Elba, sans the Secret Service lifetime protective team afforded to all legitimate former presidents.
I voted for Trump to stop the TPP, but regret it because the looming climate crisis threatens to be a bigger catastrophe than mere world wars, plagues or famines. God bless the WeAre Still In movement and all the public and private leaders and ordinary people all trying to decarbonize the global energy economy and build paths to sustainable development.
The Trump Administration's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement is of course reprehensible, and may well go down in history as his greatest crime. At the same time, although it's the best we have at the moment, it's important to recognize that the Paris Agreement does not go nearly far enough --among many other flaws, by aiming for "only" 2 degrees of temperature increase, it guarantees catastrophic impacts around the world, including millions if not billions of displaced persons, thousands, if not tens or hundreds of thousands of species extinctions, etc., etc., etc.
All of which said ... one wonders if perhaps the timing might not end up being an unintended gift to the climate movement ... and future generations. The fact that the withdrawal is scheduled to take effect the day after the 2020 election provides the democrats (and any responsible media organizations) with an opportunity to put global climate breakdown front and center, as it should be ... and must be if we are to maintain any semblance of a habitable planet
1
Exactly what have Trump and the Republicans accomplished in almost 3 years in office? Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement is just another example of their nihilistic agenda. One might hope that they have an alternative in mind but they don't. It's the same with Obamacare: get rid of it but don't give any evidence that they have a better idea. McConnell has made that late (hopefully) part of his career a monument to blocking any new ideas. I suppose that stacking federal courts with ideologues and incompetents could be regarded as an accomplishment of some sort. Get those people out of office! Impeachment would be a good start.
1
It is hard to tell if the Trump administration aims to pressure China & India with the dire effects of increasing climate impacts, or to help Putin & US Oil and Coal interests. Probably both, but such a strategy ignores the non-linear effects of climate change, that are so hard for us to comprehend with instinct. A calamity unfolding
2
What a total embarrassment. Once again, the U.S. is viewed as abandoning its Allies.
4
Please take a step back and take a look at the real problem we all must face. This world is overpopulated. Humans have been both consuming far more than the earth can continue to provide while at the same time mining more and more of the limited resources this world has to offer. We are facing our own demise and yet the need to procreate at a faster rate is not slowing down let alone stopping. Mother Nature will win in the end as many scientists know what is going to happen and have simply been trying to estimate how much more time we, the human animal, has on this planet. The next couple of generations on earth will begin to really be exposed to this calamity while those today in power do not have to worry as they will be long gone. So, not only should we discontinue offering alternatives to those who want to leave their own nations we should also take a good look at how we are going to reduce the speed of our demise on our children.
4
The obvious suffering from climate change---the wildfires, the floods, the hurricanes and tornadoes, all increasing in number, duration, and strength---should give all Americans pause when they deny these changes. But the stable genius lives in his own world of Alternate Facts, supported by loud lapdogs and silent enablers. How could we have come to this? Are there so many irrational, thoughtless Americans ? Now the destructiveness of this Administration is not limited to our country but to the entire globe.
3
The UN building in New York City, which is located right on the water, was renovated for over 2 billion dollars in 2015, so, it shows us just how they reality feel about dire climate armageddon causing massive near future flooding; they say one thing and do another! They don’t vacate the shoreline in a sign of solidarity because we should move but they not!
1
Nothing to see here, just Trump pandering to his electoral base. Forget the outrage and concentrate on getting a new Administration in. That’s a better use of anyone’s time and effort.
My two Canadian cents.
5
Priority #1: VOTE THEM OUT!! VOTE THEM OUT!!
Priority #2: Establish rock-solid Impeachment in case Priority One fails.
1
RE: "Trump Serves Notice to Quit Paris Climate Agreement"
Quitting.
Watching The Apprentice was a guilty pleasure. Little did I realize how guilty. But other than the catch phrase "You're Fired." there was one thing that Donald Trump, CEO, said in episode after episode was that he hated a quitter. If he felt someone was giving up he would ask if they are quitting. He would tell people that they would always regret quitting.
It is remarkable how many things Donald Trump has quit on.
1
Jonathan Pershing's comment certainly hit home with me. I'm now in my 80's and can't recall any US President so dis-respected by Canadians as Donald Trump. Surely, Americans won't compound this blunder by giving him another term in office?
3
@JohnECanuck Worrying about what the world thinks is a waste of time.
What defies imagination is that Trump has no vision, no plan, and no morals. This is a moonshot moment. Imagine the well-paying jobs that could be created by becoming a world leader in green energy systems or in carbon capture systems. One only needs to put big incentives in place and these technologies will emerge. Unfortunately, big oil would take a hit and it is obvious that it is against their interest to create change. We are going down hard and it won't be pretty.
4
Why don't we just accept that since we are a "democracy", why should 5-year-olds not be permitted to run for any elective office, including President? We'd stand just as good a chance of getting somebody as able as our current leader, to make "rational" and "wise"decisions on behalf of the rest of the country.
2
This is really diabolical because as I understand the rules concerning withdrawal, a withdrawing country has one year to reconsider and reverse course. Whoever wins the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump will still be in power on November 5, 2020, thereby preventing the damage from being undone.
1
@David Gladfelter As with all things political, David, this one depends on money. Even if we were forced to stay on the bus, nobody could make us give them the dollar bills to keep it running. And therein lies the fear.
It is about time we abandon this fraudulent deal. It was meant to cause the US economic harm. Even if you believe the UN's IPCC models, which I do not, and all countries met their CO2 emission goals, it would result in temps increasing by 1/1000 of a degree less than if nothing were done.
4
@bob oh. and have you shared the supporting data with the folks at the UN ?
2
"You just can't count on them." An undiplomatic statement, but absolutely true, if a Republican is in charge.
5
And my wife jumps all over me for minimizing the time I will spend with her brother at XMAS this year and for ending a long-standing relationship with her BFF. They both voted for the Gutter Rat. I want as little to do with them or nothing at all.
6
Poisonous man poisons the earth. Totally opposite John Chapman aka "Johnny Appleseed" who tried to have future where green trees with fruit could help others.
2
I thought we already quit that ridiculous one-sides agreement. The Paris Accord would have required the U.S. to give up jobs, while the rest of the world would not have been held to the same standard.
If Trump isn’t only getting the U.S. out of the Paris Accord now, he better get on the stick.
Obama committed the United States to the terms of the Paris Accord without a vote of Congress, so it is not binding. That is why its name was changed from the Paris Treaty to the Paris Accord. Obama should not have signed the Accord until he got approval from Congress.
Congress should pass a law which prevents any President from committing the United States to these type of agreements without first getting approval by A majority of Congress. Shame on Obama. Praise to Trump.
3
I feel sorry for the people of Florida. Trump's inability to participate in reversing the accelerating climate changes will leave them with a re-elected President and homeless.
6
Making India and China step up IS the right thing to do.
2
I read this after I read the article about Billionaires complaining about Elizabeth’s Warren’s plans.
The wealthiest and selfish are worried she would destroy the economy. These people also put this man in power. Is anyone with their pockets lined w cash looking around ?
We need the green new deal, we need people with vision, we need Elizabeth Warren.
4
Unfortunately, my almost-three-year-old grandson cannot vote. But I do. My wife does AND his parents do as well.
8
On a day when the world is suffering from grievous and increasing natural disasters, the unnatural disaster that is this pitiful excuse for a president initiates a countdown to make it worse. Shame on him - oh, wait, he has no sense of shame - and shame on those to gave him enough of a minority of votes to allow him to occupy and desecrate his office.
In many towns, cities and states today (November 5th) it is election day. Let's show our outrage at this disgraceful administration and vote Democratic across the board, and give power back to our citizens. Power and money are the only things these grifters seem to understand.
5
@CP
The blame for his ascension is the result of those who backed a candidate who played identity politics, excluding many of those who didn’t fit, instead of finding the common issues among the people and working to remedy them. Add to this to any candidate’s likability factor, and only the blind could have not seen Trump’s win.
He is an unnatural disaster. I wonder what people think they are made of. Where did they think they come from? We came from this planet and we evolved from all of the species we are wiping out. They were here way before we were and look what we have done.
3
@rebecca1048, despite her acknowledged flaws, how can anyone see Trump as being more likable than Hillary? One must look beyond her bad campaign and the interference of Comey (twice) and foreign interference at the realization that on her worst day she would have been five times as good as president as Trump on his best day.
2
Dear Rest of World.
1. Sorry.
2. Ignore the WTO. Impose trade barriers on our exports. We are evidently still in kindergarten and haven't learned to play nicely.
8
If utter incompetence can be an impeachable offence, then what about the GOP members of Congress who follow like lemmings?
The notion of checks and balances is our Constitutional dilemma.
Regardless of all the other corruption, lies, violations of law and obstruction, this administration's failure to lead in this instance is a catastrophic failure of judgment that will affect the globe.
Cities and states must move forward with clean and green initiatives.
3
Lunacy.
This is like the USA deciding to just no show up for the Olympics because we don’t like the time zone of the host country.
6
@Tim Except that no-show would hurt no one but Ameerican athletes. This one hurts everyone.
Save Yourself! Do Harm to Others.
This encapsulates the entire Republican philosophy in brief marketable message. I don't think they would lose 1 vote if they adopted it as they should. It's what they stand for. Me and mine. The rest? We won't just live and let live, but will find a way to hurt them.
This motto should follow the Republicans everywhere. Don't forget: “He's not hurting the people he needs to be hurting.”
Making Apparatchik Great Again
Save Yourself! Do Harm to Others. (Even if it hurts you in the end).
4
As a tax-paying citizen of the United States, I serve notice on the White House that I want the United States to remain in the Paris Climate Agreement. The whole world is in this situation together, and it will take a lot of American ingenuity to get us out, especially given that it took a lot of American (and British and French and German) ingenuity to get us into this situation.
Being unable or unwilling to assimilate facts into a coherent and defensible position, Trump's behavior is based on a racist inferiority complex which makes him want to undo everything accomplished by his predecessor no matter what the cost.
My thanks to the New York Times for reporting this, as I don't get my news from social media. No doubt Pompeo had to make this disgusting announcement on Twitter because that's the only thing Trump reads.
2
“Under United Nations rules, China and India are considered developing countries and are not obligated to curb emissions.”
China, the second largest economy in the world, with the ability to land a spacecraft on the Darkside of the moon, is not a developing country. We should not be subsidizing them.
Meanwhile, United States spends more on renewable energy Investments and is replacing coal generation with natural gas generation at a faster rate than any other country.
3
We get what we vote for. I would be shocked if we dldn't vote for a repeat in 2020. I'm sure the the 1% would be satisfied with the control they have over our government. Thank goodness, I'm old enough to avoiding having to witness the total distruction of democracy and our world.
2
There is a very strong chance that Trump will get re-elected in 2020 - look at the polls in the battleground states - Trump’s electoral college path to victory remains as strong or even stronger than in 2016, given how much more money Trump will have over Democratic candidate, given the pure propaganda by Trump/Fox News/right-wing media/social media, given how much help he will get from Putin and other foreign countries, his impeachment by the Democratic House but not being removed by Republican Senate along strictly partisan lines helps Trump in 2020 with his base, the Democrats have a broken centrist candidate in Biden, who has made the rise of a more capable moderate candidate impossible, and the more progressive candidates Warren and Sanders (they are not the same) will be attacked by corporate power that they threaten.
Trump is setting us on a path where man-made climate change will destroy the lives of hundreds of millions worldwide directly from climate change and indirectly from the wars, famines, refugees, chaos created by climate change. There is no more important issue that tackling man-made climate change. It is genuinely an existential threat.
Yet the overwhelming majority of Republicans continue to support Trump. The majority of whites continue to support Trump. The majority of Christians continue to support Trump.
How is that possible?
What has happened to our country?
Vote Democratic in 2020 - it is the last chance to save this planet for future generations.
6
@MC
When Schiff and Pelosi’s reputation is as tainted as it is among Independents and Republicans, I fear impeachment will only better Trump’s chances. Timing is everything, and Pelosi missed it.
@rebecca1048 Let's try it and find out !
This move is simply mind-boggling. How is it possible that this is supported by any significant percentage of the electorate?
8
@NS Oh, we don't have to support it. Daddy knows best.
His own daddy bought him a college diploma.
"issued a statement saying the accord would impose intolerable burdens on the American economy" ... of course, one day, there may not be an economy to worry about ..... Its good to know this administration is always forward thinking.
5
So as I understand it, the U.S. has approximately 260 coal fired power plants while India and China are building an additional 1,600. It does not make any difference what we do. China & India will continue on their path towards self-destruction until nature forces them to do otherwise. Some people can't be taught, they have to learn on their own.
5
@Mark
It’s truly insanity on the part of the Chinese, when new efficient clean technologies exist. I remember the coal-fired furnaces as a little girl —the ashes, the clinkers, the soot — the hopper. I followed my father around every night after work, flipping the blower switch while sitting on the steps (we weren’t allowed near the furnace) as he removed the clinkers, filled the water pan, shoveled the coal into buckets, carried the buckets one by one from the bin to the hopper — every night. A nightly ritual. I can’t imagine the ashes, clinkers, and soot in a big operation. Coal is as dirty and as inefficient as it comes.
5
Trump reminds me of toddlers who enjoy toppling down their Lego towers, watching the destruction with glee, feeling powerful at how one simple move can create such destruction. Trump seems especially happy to use his power destructively. Yes he's in the fossil fuel industry's pocket, but his main motivation in actions such as pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord is the kick he gets out of being cruel, destructive and anything-anti-Obama. It would be laughable how immature he is if he wasn't so utterly dangerous.
Let's hope impeachment stifles him even if we can't remove him from office that way.
And let's all get very busy with election 2020. Vote Blue No Matter Who!
16
The U.S. doesn't need to be concerned with the Paris Accord or the global fight to deal with the climate emergency before it's too late. Afte all, India and China aren't signatories to mteh accord. Never mind that the weather in both countries is increasingly the pollution is so bad its hazardous to human health. (See Delhi these days). India and China now set the benchmarks fo American behaviour in the world. Oh, my. Don the Con said he would "Make America Great Again"? Well, America used to be the leader of the Free World. Now . . . ?
5
Trump would not be able to get away with these ecological crimes against the future of our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren if his cult in the Congress were more mentally healthy and educated. If you think that climate emergencies are only about forest fires (and no electrical power) in California, look around your own home towns. The evidence of climate change is there whether it is increased flooding, wild fires, more frequent or stronger hurricanes and storms, erosion, water safety, or air pollution as examples. There is no political issue more important that mitigating the shift in climate. It is profoundly shameful that the US is walking away from this opportunity to lead international cooperation.
5
Actually, in GDP terms, the European Union has the world's largest economy. After all, this article is about the EU - not its 28 member states.
Does it matter, anyway? What does being the world's largest, or second or third largest, economy add to the debate? Does it make America's actions worse or is it some sort of mitigation?
1
Growing up, USSR was the enemy of the world. Now in my 50s, this ignorant man at WH made US the enemy of the world.
11
I am so depressed by this news, I can barely get out of bed.
7
maybe trump will change his mind when his grandchildren suddenly develop asthma from air pollution...
2
At first glance, I read this as “Trump Serves Notice to Quit”, and was overjoyed.
11
Hurting people with malice and intentional harm is the hallmark of the Trump administration and the Republican Party.
5
New rule: All climate policy shall now be decided by only those men and women who have at least 25 years of life ahead of them. The Boomers make these bloody awful decisions and the rest of pay the price!
What kind of foolishness is this in throwing away opportunity to steer the global ship in [finally] the right direction?
I'm done complaining here...a better use of my time is calling Susan Collins at her office. You should do the same!
5
@pditty
It was the Boomers who really brought environmentalism to the fore in the '70s. It was the Boomers who fought for women's rights and equality as well as for those who were LGBTQ. Those who were born later don't realize the changes.
The problem is that Boomers also include the wealthy which is where the real problem lies. They have never changed over the generations where they opposed anything that stands in the way of more wealth. Look at Zuckerberg.
There are many Boomers who are as upset as you at those who ruin our small blue dot.
5
Don't need to be a psychiatrist to recognize that Trump love of emissions (CO2, methane emissions, freon, lead & arsenic in water, etc) represent his sick need to spew his personal toxicity onto the whole planet. GOP loving every toxic molecule of it all - but hiding behind the 'good for business' mantra.
6
I thought we got out if this sham last year?
This agreement is welfare for Europe. America’s drastically reduced our emissions and is leading the way by example. We don’t need a leftist money pit agreement where China and India can pollute with impunity while we pay the bill.
Thank God for Pres. Trump.
3
The "Paris Agreement " was not submitted to the Senate for ratification as a treaty. To me the 'agreement' is a treaty that should have been submitted to the Senate.
And like the Kyoto Protocol, which was also never ratified by the Senate, the Paris Agreement should be terminated.
1
The Trump policy is to look at the world as it really is. No more pie in the sky plans that go nowhere and tax Americans to death, while the elites live the good life. Real Americans understand this. It's why Trump will win the battleground states, and thus reelection, again. Voting Americans don't think it's ok for China and India to be allowed to cheat at this agreement while or country is punished with a slowed economy. One day the Dems will get this. I assume it'll happen sometime around Wednesday, November 4, 2020.
4
Science is not opinion, it deals only with fact.
Mankind has become a cancer to this planet, with the power to bring certain extinction to the majority of life which resides upon it. Man has the power to try and reverse his impact on the future of life on Earth. These are facts.
Trump is one man among nearly 8 billion who his actions threaten to have dramatic and fatal effect on. It makes absolutely no sense that one man is allowed to stand and destroy any chances that the rest of humanity currently has.
If man allows this to happen, he has done it to himself. The pity is reserved for the millions of innocent species who never had a say in the outcome.
6
The scientific fact is that India and China are hugely responsible for more pollution than the rest of the world. This Accord seemed to be pushing at the the wealth of the US rather than focus on the worst offenders. Shame.
1
No worries. It won’t be the largest economy for much longer.
10
Trump and his backward looking supporters love to say they have created the 'best economy in history' obviously hoping to be re elected as a result. A major portion of this 'miracle' consists of polluting industry. The real result will be in the future, when others clean up their mess.
It is maddeningly obvious that 'vision' is limited to the next quarterly report. Real 'vision' would entail educating the public about climate change, designing the industries and professions necessary to reverse the downward spiral and replace it with one which creates healthy growth. New, exciting professions for that 18 year old, instead of following Daddy into the mine. It's not easy. Neither was the American Revolution or WW2.
Major change requires honesty and sacrifice. And taxes to finance major investment into the future. Eisenhower did it with the interstate hi way system, which ran for decades, financed thru taxes. America was happier, more united, and, after the horrors of ww2, more courageous.
Cynicism, despair, and complacency fuel the Trump agenda.
Perhaps his contribution was to take us so low so quickly in a blatant, one dimensional process. It woke us up.
We need to rediscover the spirit that got us thru the depression and ww2 to create a future of fresh ideas, new professions, and loftier dreams.
18
So many who have posted their thoughts about trump’s latest outrage have it right: this presidency is off the rails and taking our country with it. 2020 can’t arrive fast enough for trump and his supporters in Congress and the Senate to be sent packing.
The democratic presidential nominee has to win in a landslide as do those in various Congressional and Senatorial contests.... otherwise, it will be more if the same: obstruction, inaction and delay in the implementation of vital initiatives.
The American people need to clear out trump, and his sycophantic supporters, very decisively, next November, so we can move forward with the real work of the Nation. Once that happens we can leverage the plurality effectively long enough to make real progress in ways similar to what FDR did during his presidency.
We have a very bright and beautiful future ahead as a country and leading member of the world community. Now we must do all we can to make certain that this better vision comes to be.
13
It's hard to believe that our president is probably the most ignorant man on the planet surface but there it is. If his base believes the nonsense he spews on a daily basis, and it seems trhey do, then the country and world are pretty much done for. Great job humanity!
12
Oh for the moment when that headline has just the first five words...
15
“The lack of power to take joy in outdoor nature is as real a misfortune as the lack of power to take joy in books.” American President and Nature Conservationist Theodore Roosevelt.
Well said Mr. President, well said!
7
Trump is the most dangerous man in the world.
9
Oh, my gosh. That photo with the helicopter blade... so close, yet so far...
6
It just goes to show to what extend Trump is all about his own persona. Again, Donald, Sir Branson won't let you board his space shuttle. BTW, Donald, Sir Branson is a self-made billionaire.
3
Depressing. Yesterday, the N.Y.T. announced a new oil glut, from Brazil, Canada, Norway and Guyana, and that ARAMCO, Saudi Arabia's oil company, issued an IPO.
Fossil fuel prices will plummet, thanks to this glut, making gas guzzling Americans to developing nations like India to a very stubborn China consume and pollute more than they do now.
It's a bizarre nihilism, as polluting and killing the planet eliminates customers for fossil fuels and products, and the jobs that go with them.
Will the signatories stick to the climate accord, and let Europe take the lead? It has the world's second largest economy--it's just not in the habit of loudly influencing the world--American style.
Europe has the money, green technology and world friendships needed to subsidize green tech, organize public/private partnerships, help create jobs in green tech, and move the world toward electric power--wind, solar, hydroelectric--and unpolluted food, water and air. There is revenue to be made in green tech, and it won't kill us.
Companies veer toward greed. Humans veer toward survival. Green tech satisfies the need for revenue, and the desire to survive. Europe can lead the way and will be a reliable partner.
8
If you want to make a difference in this fight, you can. Divest from fossil fuels and invest in green energy. Seek to transition to a zero carbon lifestyle as able. Solar energy and electric cars are now affordable to many. Take courage, Murray Energy just filed for bankruptcy. Hit them where it hurts - in the wallet.
10
I am happy that the NYT has acknowledged that the rest of the world is not participating in Greenhouse reductions and that China would be able to grow emissions until 2030- 11 years from now. C’mon. We could end up with a yellow vest movement here if the Coastal elites try to shove this down America’s throats.
5
@Martin The US has been a leader in reducing emissions. Very few want to acknowledge that. The Paris agreement is more about funneling money than climate change. We should continue to adopt new technologies and reduce emissions, but we should not send payments overseas.
3
What a tragedy this man is. A walking cyclone of bigotry, ignorance and regression.
17
There will be historical reckoning, one that generations after us will be documenting. There is also one succinct and moronic truth. The inept Trump removes the USA from one of the most important tables in the world. Our allies are ashamed. The shift of power is evident. It is America’s undoing. No longer will key conversation and western policies involve the USA. Trump is a clear and present danger. He is violating the people’s will to repair and care for this very small blue marble in the universe.
We cannot do this alone.
Earth is our home.
It is us.
6
@Kimberley
Amen, and, again I say amen!
1
The climate accords have never anything but unenforceable agreements. We need to work at our local and state levels to get clean energy. The economics of dirty fuels just aren’t there, coal is dead and electric cars and clean energy are coming. Let’s not get all bogged down with Trump’s stupidity. He completely distracts us with his tweeted idiocy. We need to ignore our elected fool and support action at the local and state level.
9
You climate warming, cooling, dry, wet, change, whatever snowflakes are delusional and should seek help for your mental health. The climate has been changing since this planet has been in existence so sorry if that fact doesn't fit your narrative. The real issue is over population but those in control don't want to say it and that is what climate change is all about! Control, they want to control the earths resources and best climate locations for themselves while telling you were and how to live while being stuck with living in perpetual poverty! China and India are emerging countries so they get off the hook for pollution? Give me a break, America and Americans are the worlds piggy bank so wake up!
3
@Truthsayer00
I agree that over-population is a major problem for humanity. Another problem is that there is nothing for all these people to do! Robots are taking over "jobs" that were formerly done by people. Idle hands are the devil's workshop, or so it used to be said. Alas, the old saying is rapidly becoming true. No jobs - all these "extra" folks sit around with nothing to do but drink take drugs and otherwise prove to be worthless. Quite frankly they are becoming totally unnecessary life forms on this planet. Being a serf in medieval times at least gave that person something worth while to do. Somehow humanity will have to create a system to make living on this planet a benefit and not a curse. Neither being a serf nor a lay-about should be acceptable.
3
so sad to see "trump serves notice to quit" and then have to scroll (slightly) down to read "paris climate agreement" instead of "breathing"
6
Trump seems to love undoing everything Obama did. Why does he apparently hate Obama so much?
3
@Gene . Obama spied on him and tried to rig the ‘16 election for Hillary. How’s that for a reason?
2
@Gene because Obama has more intelligence, class, popularity, respect, good looks, style, substance, integrity, capability, leadership, success, good health, stability, personality, charm, humor, charisma, attractiveness, vocabulary, manners, panache, grace, presence, gravitas, athleticism, and overall goodness in him than Trump will ever hope to have, and Trump knows it.
4
One guess. Hint — Obama was the first [blank] President.
"It is time to put Youngstown, Ohio; Detroit, Mich.; and Pittsburgh, Pa., along with many, many other locations within our great country, before Paris, France"
His and his ilks ignorance knows no bounds.
7
Who even cares what trump says anywhere on earth? No country or industry pays any attention to his constant lies and bloviation. Except :when he has our military cut and run, by tweet, to enable our allies to be "ethnically cleansed", or tells Putin who what and where our national security secrets are hidden; yes, then, some people listen.
1
Note to trump and Pompeo: there is no Planet B.
4
The first 5 words of the title got me for a moment.
2
Deliberate ecological destruction.
In other words : terrorism
3
For someone who is a self-proclaimed 'genius' at making deals, the clueless charlatan seems better at breaking them. To all those who don't care - you need to realize the very negative impact this will have. Trump is only doing this so his big business buddies can muck up more of our air, water, and land with their factories. America is on a fast track down the toilet thanks to Trump.
2
Oh, how the mighty have fallen...
1
Who's in charge of our budget? Whose watching where our money going or not going? Whose in charge of honesty and patriotism. When do we get to see the expenditures? Why does Trump have a shadow government and when will we see the proof? This crook loves to use other peoples money and never pay them back.What a creepy man. He needs too go. ASAP.
4
The human race is too corrupt and greedy - too unintelligent and lazy not to destroy everything. The speed at which this is occurring - will become a big shock shortly.
2
One word to describe the administration and potential future of the world: Dinosaurs.
2
This guy's utter ignorance and disregard and disrespect for everything except himself is another reason to impeach and start the process of rebuilding all that's been lost in this administration...
1
Crime against humanity. Trump needs to hear more "jail him" cries from large crowds. And be removed from office.
2
Lots of blame for those who voted for Trump. I don't blame those who took their civic duties seriously and voted.
Trump is a consequence of people not taking time to vote two years ago. The reign of madness ends at the ballot box in November 2020.
1
Another step in the USA's Trump-driven charge towards economic irrelevance in the 21st century.
3
These people are like the proverbial lemmings. They overbreed, then they throw themselves to their deaths.
In this day and age, when we have science, and all the benefits of science, how can whole communities, from leaders to their children, refuse to understand? Most importantly, how can we reach them?
1
“Intolerable burdens on the American economy” ??? Considering that the US has pumped far more carbon into the atmosphere than any other nation, we’re morally obligated to do more than others to clean it up. Too bad we have such a childish, selfish president.
1
“It is time to put Youngstown, Ohio; Detroit, Mich.; and Pittsburgh, Pa., along with many, many other locations within our great country, before Paris, France." Who knew Paris was the singular epicenter of climate change? hahaha
1
Well done, Mr. President. Finally the US is pulling out of another dubious global program being peddled by European moochers and leeches who expect America to pay for their idealism.
2
The US is supposed to set a good example re the environment and everything else, now it takes a back seat
1
The US is not a bad example.
1
I took environmental studies in community college. It was simple and made total sense. That was 1979. look at what comes along and, like a bully kid at the beach that is compelled to knock down your sand castle, he must do this mean spirited thing, to destroy the worlds enviroment, for money saved to allow the removal off regulation to protect you your family and friends for $$$. Because he can! Really? 50 years of developing clean air and water out the window? #voteblue2020.
3
And the double wide will grow increasingly harder to tolerate in summer......
1
In the end his will be a legacy of unprecedented corruption, betrayal of country, self-serving greed, dismantling of democracy, inciting of racial animosity, bigotry, and to cap it all, a flagrant jeopardizing of the only home available to the human species. This single man is a cataclysm, a large meteor striking the planet. Of course, long in the making by political forces who made decades-long deals with the devil to grasp and maintain power.
2
What fun it will be to spoil this PINO's plans for taking the US (the largest global polluter per person on the planet) out of the Paris Climate Accord.
Of course that can only happen if he is escorted out of the White House as a private citizen in January, 2020 (hopefully into the waiting arms and handcuffs of law enforcement).
2
Trump was elected to break things and he is proving very good at doing it. His voters are happy in their folly.
2
Typical Trump, but also keep in mind that:
China is building coal plants faster than ever.
Japan is building coal plants and has plans to dump 1 millions tons of radioactive waste into the ocean.
India's co2 is rapidly becoming worse than ever.
Brazil can't cut down its rainforest fast enough.
All these countries signed the Paris agreements.
4
agreed, but Trump is making it a race to the bottom that he wants the US to win.
3
Tantamount to crimes against humanity. The Hague and execution is the only logical recourse.
1
There is only one thing that needs to be done. Remove him from office ASAP. That is the duty of every member of Congress but Republican Senators will not allow it and 80% of Republicans will vote to keep everyone of them in office. Our country has become is a joke to the rest of the world
1
Trump first betrays our nation, and then the world.
Thank god the universe is beyond his grasp.
1
Remember, the wealthy oil oligarchs believe that they can buy their way out of climate chaos, or at least, they their wealth can insulate them from ecological and atmospheric catastrophic changes. Trump remains true to loyally serving the oil oligarchs, the first of whom is Putin, who stands to gain hundreds of billions of dollars from continued and expanded oil dependency. Oil oligarchs really do not care if they alter natural systems for thousands of years, for current and future generations, anymore than the trophy hunter holding up the elephant tail proudly for the camera cares about the animal he just killed. For Trump, it is still all about the oligarchs.
4
Can’t wait to see Mar a Lago flooded.
8
The Paris agreement is a joke.
It does not encourage China and India — the biggest polluters — to change their behavior towards our environment.
Trump has the courage to call out the clowns without caring for political correctness. That is why 63 million and more this time will vote for him.
2
@Bhaskar
Americans still emit far more per capita than any individual Chinese or Indian citizen. Get the facts straight - the United States is the highest emitter on an individual basis still, and we have contributed more than our historical share of carbon that is changing the atmosphere.
4
I just want to remind you Bhaskar that it is the electoral college that elects the president, not the popular vote. So be careful not to quote the number of people who will be voting for Trump since it is likely five million more will vote for the democratic candidate. Next time you make your point, you should talk about how many electoral college votes support your idea. It will be so much more convincing.
2
@Mary
China’s contributes 30% to total pollution!
That is double, not even close, to ours.
Talking about percapita is an attempt to fit the data to a liberal narrative, not facts.
1
A very sad day indeed. The rest of the world is looking for leadership to tackle global warming and the once great United States has become a free loader. Let’s hope American voters have the good sense to vote Trump out in a year’s time.
3
This is another example of the fact that Trump cares about NOBODY ELSE but himself, period. He obviously doesn't even care about his children or his grandchildren's future, much less the U.S. or the rest of the world. Apparently the GOP doesn't have enough courage to fight him on even this, the most pressing emergency mankind has yet to face other than the possibility of nuclear war. Their selfishness and greed is a match for his. I hope none of them get re-elected as they are unfit for office.
4
I'm aware this notice had been announced over two years ago, but it is still potentially such a gift to the Democrats in next year's elections. If only the Democrats would get their heads out of the sand and take advantage . . . .
3
Perhaps they should hire Greta Thunberg to manage their campaigns!
2
I know why Trump wants to end every Pact, Agreement or Cooperation that the US has ever entered into. Having to deal with them would put his utter ignorance on display once again.
5
That's exactly why I can't stop repeating that Trump is not just your problem. Trump is a problem for the world because climate change is a problem for the world. Those who do not play their part in this emergency should simply be ashamed. Mr Trump, look at what is happening in California and think that if nothing changes, it will happen a thousand times more.
I also want to say one thing to the American people.
Your vote is not just one vote. On election day, you represent - with your vote - people living on the other side of the world. A vote by an Alabama farmer can affect the real life of an Austrian farmer. This is the heavy responsibility of every American today.
7
You are correct, but sadly the vote of one of those Californians is worth only a fraction of the vote of those in, say, Wyoming, etc. where they vote for Trump, and apparently don't care about California, let alone the rest of the world.
1
This writer and the somewhat rabid comments fail to acknowledge the essential international wealth and tax transfers underlying "climate" agreements. This has far more to do with transfer than weather. Also, supporting the hoax that there is no broad based public opposition to the United States carrying the burden of these transfers fails to move this dialog forward.
1
Anti-climate legislation is virtue signaling Trump-style. Less annoying but much more damaging, than identity politics.
2
Sadly our president has dedicated his administration to either distorting, disrupting or destroying every concept or person in our country or internationally that ever considered him with a side eye. The ignorance is beyond contemplation and he bears zero responsibility.
The anger unleashed particularly against former President Obama appears to have special significance ever since the White House Press dinner where he was roiling. He does this because he thinks he can. Is there a Republican out there with an ounce of integrity that will stand up to stop him or right the ship for the integrity of our country?
5
The National Climate Assessment is "a congressional mandated report” about climate change. Just after it was released in Nov. 2018, the Miami Herald published an article about it. The reporter states in the essay that “climate scientists and experts say the facts are undeniable, pointing to changes that have long been evident in South Florida — rising tidal levels, sunny day flooding, stronger hurricanes, disappearing corals and longer mosquito seasons.”
The stable genius’s (SG) new residence, Mar-A-Lago, is one of about 9 properties his organization owns in South Florida. Yet in the Miami Herald’s article the SG is quoted as saying that he doesn’t believe what the federal report has to say. I would think that since the SG has so many properties in one of the country’s most vulnerable regions he would be a believer in climate change. But by leaving the Paris climate accord once he again shows that he has no ability to think things thru and to see the long term consequences of his actions.
Perhaps he won’t be around to deal with the repercussions of his climate change denial policies, but his heirs will most likely be alive then. They will have to address the catastrophe he did nothing about and most likely lose millions. And I don’t mean to be nasty but it couldn’t happen to a nicer family.
SEE:
miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article222086110.html
realtor.com/news/trends/hurricane-dorian-trump-properties-florida/
OK. 99 percent of his executive orders show that he can put progress in reverse. Now I wonder how long he can tread water.
1
Trump represents the coal miners and oil workers, not China. Maybe the Democrats shoulda start looking for electoral votes in Beijing.
1
Nixon established the EPA.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (a protocol to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer) were ratified in 1987. US led the UN international effort to save the ozone by banning CFCs. Reagan (who initially sided with DuPont and CFC industry, but later followed the science) was President. “The two ozone treaties have been ratified by 197 parties (196 states and the European Union), making them the first universally ratified treaties in United Nations history. These truly universal treaties have also been remarkable in the expedience of the policy-making process at the global scale, where only 14 years lapsed between a basic scientific research discovery (1973) and the international agreement signed (1985 and 1987).” There was less consensus about CFCs causing ozone hole than there is about anthropogenic climate change.
George H.W. Bush used his Presidential powers to push forward the 1990 Clean Air Act that gives all of cleaner, less polluted air to breathe and essentially eliminated acid rain.
America led the world in addressing environmental issues, saving the planet issues based on science. Republicans like Nixon, Reagan, H.W. Bush - all pro-business - led in these issues that were critical for the country and the planet, they followed the science in providing global leadership.
Now Republicans support Trump. There is no greater crime against humanity than not addressing man-made climate change.
2
United States is not what it was, today is smaller. Sadly the spare isn't better.
1
So many rant directly and indirectly about the need for drastic population reduction. It seems to me The Donald may harbor the same thoughts. Without mass direct killings he is taking swift steps towards his own modest proposal to aid population reduction.
I'm pretty sure the "stable genius" believes that since HE won't be around when the sea level rises and erases many cities that it doesn't matter to HIM. That of course is the measure of everything he's un-done for last 3 years. None of the safety regulations and environmental protections he's unraveled matter because he thinks none of it will affect him or his family. That's all that really matters.
Even though Don Jr is happy the shoot wild game from a helicopter, he still needs to be able to LAND somewhere. Maybe he'll having to take up fishing.
1
US economy is too weak. Can’t afford to reduce emissions. Poor, weak and not great.
2
Well, he offered to personally control the world's climate, and they said no.
They wouldn't even agree to rename the planet Trump Earth.
So obviously he had to pull us out.
3
Will America wake up to the fact that its constitution is desperately out of date; that it can be subverted to establish imperial rule.
Will instagram, twitter and facebook, in association with the streaming devices, keep us so distracted as to let our democracy slip from out hands?
If we don't do something about our constitution (diminish the power of the senate and the electoral college, diminish the power of the presidency) we are toast.
2
Without fixing cost and accountability for the disastrous move of taking the US away from the global climate accord how could the US and rest of the international community allow a fossil fuel agent like Trump to gamble on the future of humanity?
because America is truly built on principles of honor and truth seeking, this incredibly ridiculous passage in this country s history will pass. Accords can be rejoined. and yes Florida will be under water, so will NYC as well most of the great cities of this country and world.
Once again, Trump garners attention by destroying the years’ long hard work of dedicated and talented people.
I’ve never heard Trump put forth a workable, forward-looking plan for replacing or living without the many things he’s destroyed since taking over the high office of president. I hope his base soon realizes that destruction alone is not a good recipe for progress and improvement.
As I see it, Trump is steering us toward a hollowed out, authoritarian world of “government” where the rich and powerful have their way. No wonder he praises Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the like.
14
And this happened after a universal youth mobilization, including in many cities across the US. Indeed by the people and for the people.
6
It was an agreement that was never properly vetted. In the interest of looking like one is doing something leaders embraced a deeply flawed deal. It also failed to address China in any significant way. It was doomed to fail.
5
Paris was structured to be a starting point, not an end point. Signatories agreed to regular follow up to make changes and adjustments. Including China.
12
In this instance Trump is right. The CAGW hypothesis is indeed a false one. The Sun is entering a long duration low or no sunspot regime, following an approximate 200 year cycle and in the next few decades warming will not be our problem. If we're fortunate we are merely facing a "Dalton Minimum' type scenario; if not a 'Maunder Minimum' look-alike and that is definitely not going to be comfortable. Cold is coming.
3
I adore the argument that only people who scraped though high school ever thought about solar activity in relation to global warming.
https://climate.nasa.gov/blog/2910/what-is-the-suns-role-in-climate-change/
It literally is rocket science.
1
Do you realize he's harming his own children and grandchildren? I wonder how much that Wharton degree costs?
8
Thirty or forty years from now, when most of Miami is underwater, this day will be looked back upon by those who survive as one of the single catastrophic events of this generation that is bequeathing ruin upon the next.
This is many exponential orders of magnitude more important than the impeachment news.
14
I'm astounded by the ignorance on this thread. The majority of the countries that signed up for the Paris Agreement have backed out of it. Why? Not because of Trump, but because they realized that no country would honor the agreement's exacting standards.
If the world's main polluters currently--China, India, Russian and Indonesia--would adhere to strict environmental standards, then the US would too.
6
"While no other nation has followed Mr. Trump’s lead and left the Paris Agreement — indeed, more countries have joined."
Please cite your source.
2
This is news to me, which other countries have backed out ?
Lying: apparently, it’s what’s for dinner.
This shortsighted policy decision is evidence that this president does not represent the majority of USA citizens. Where is our Democracy?
11
Maybe if Dems had started impeachment before the Mueller Report they could have lose that first fight but had many more chances. Where would we be without that Whistleblower.
The Judge hasn’t ruled on the Houses subpoena’s yet either. You would think that our three branches were coequals instead of holding uniquely separate powers and duties. With Congress the most powerful Branch!
I guess Chief Roberts should apologize to Trump for publicly chastising him in the news some months ago for saying that the Court should be partial to him. Obviously The Court is impartial to The Constitution. How pathetic some of our US Official’s behave!
3
Was the goofy cash-giveaway that America was liable for under these failed accords actually Pres. Obama's long-lasting shot at American capitalism?
One can logically look at the terrible-if-not-treasonous $130 billion given to Iran as a similar parting shot at America's military strength and the survival of Western culture, but does the accord rise to the same level?
Nonetheless, both acts were clearly inexcusable, especially as the biggest polluters in China and India were not accessed a dime.
There are people wishing they could engineer a public opinion that one or both 2016 presidential candidares were Russian pawns, but perhaps the Chinese-Indian pawn was elected the election before.
But garbage like this is what made the American voters choose Donald Trump. The only poll that matters comes up a year from this week.
3
Well said! It's high time to stop subsidizing China while complaining about Russian Facebook ads. Trump will absolutely win in 2020, and this climate accord pullout is a case in point.
1
It’s just a matter of good versus evil. It’s that basic.
8
I think unless Mr. Trump's property or interests being seriously hurted by the climate change effect (fire or flood, for example) will he change his mind to alter the decision.
1
Maybe I'm being overly optimistic but I don't see how this gets Trump more votes.
My reaction is the same as most of the other comments here. But practically speaking this changes nothing. We've already lost international credibility and the administration will continue to dismantle as many regs as possible for the next year. It's just another reminder of how dire 2020 is.
When you put this next the attempt to rollback auto mpg targets and all the other dereg, it becomes clear who is influencing policy. Who wouldn't want greater fuel efficiency? (The people selling fuel).
This provides Democrats an opportunity to attract more votes. To do so they need to connect this to people's wallets. Fires, floods, FEMA, power outages, buying more gas... all of these things cost families and business money today in a very real way.
6
www.climate.gov Our own government acknowledges it's alignment with the Paris Climate Agreement. The State of Pennsylvania has its' own 2017 Climate Mitigation Plan. States across the country are on board with the Paris Climate Agreement. And, across the street in Washington D.C., Trump only needs to walk over to the Smithsonian and see the Climate exhibit "Sant Ocean Hall" .In Pennsylvania, groups are on board with:
Pennsylvania Parks and Streets Climate Preservation Act
This is a man who is working against what is prudent and wise for our children's future. Climate is the largest cause of immigration. Our oceans are warming and our Oceans create our Climate, and they are acidifying from the rise in temperatures. It makes no sense that this man will walk away from an agreement that a world validates, and is on board with solutions for the best of our children's future. It is unconscionable.
I interviewed Frank Niepold, Senior Climate Educator at www.climate.gov., The Green Connection Documentary
and I came away with the knowledge that our government has climate education in place. And then there is NASA
https://climate.nasa.gov on climate education, data, satellite imagery and measurements.
This should be truly disturbing to everyone who clicks on any of the climate education links in this post, and sees that our States and our own federal government departments are on board with the serious issues of climate disruption and solutions.
5
Sorry, Trump is certainly venal and detrimental. However, those critical of Trump in the main will vote for a candidate whose platform does not emphatically address climate change as the most popular mportant issue. The heart of the matter is it is too easy to berate but collectively lack good judgement at the same time.
While the Trump administration has long signaled its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, today’s announcement leaves me distraught and deeply ashamed of the U.S. government.
Elections have consequences. Vote Blue.
7
The United States never joined the Kyoto Protocol. Al Gore was a big player in negotiating it, but Clinton never even offered it to the Senate to affirm, and neither did Bush.
In American democracy, Clinton, Bush, Obama lack the authority to approve a treaty absent approval of two thirds of the Senate. It is in the Constitution.
If a future Democrat wants to re-enter the Paris accord, he is free to try, but he needs to get the Senate to agree.
China is increasing greenhouse gas additions from 2016 to 2030. The call that reduction is not only misleading, it is an outright lie. China alone will add more CO2 to the atmosphere between 2016 and 2030 than mankind has added since the inception of the industrial revolution. That does not count India's increases of the cola fired plants China is building in Kenya, Vietnam and the rest of the third world.
Obama believed he was the dictator of a third world country and had the power to commit America to a treaty. He is wrong.
7
True - the U.S. dropped out of the Kyoto Protocol under the last GOP President in 2001 - the Republicans are just such winners and such leaders
6
Yes, you are right. Obama should’ve tweeted it, making it ratified and perfect for everyone in this beautiful country. Thanks for pointing it out Ivan.
Enjoy the flood, fella.
By the way, do you really think you’ll be let in the limo and rewarded for cheering Trump on?
And the parade of shameful acts marches on. It's little comfort that history will regard him and his administration as the most malignant failure of our republic. He and his cronies are doing everything they can to insure the future is a miserable one for all.
11
The finger should be pointed at China and India - the worst offenders.
8
How convenient.
Depending on which statistics you look at, the US outperforms both China and India in terms of per capita pollution. Or follows their lead. Infamous top 3. So stop pointng fingers and deflecting facts. Work on a solution. Don't wait for others to do it for you.
9
Not per capita, they’re not. Guess who that would be?
Certainly brings new meaning to "pots calling kettles black"
This action is simply infamous. Even though we knew it was coming, it is horrifying to see it come to pass. If you voted for this utterly destructive administration, you need to know you've stolen four years from the time we had to save ourselves and our planet. This is on you.
406
@EA ,
Long before we close the chapter on trump, a lot more damage to America than mere climate change will be assigned to those who voted for this utterly destructive administration,
26
@EA
You can not put a price tag on a safe, clean planet. You can not put I price tag on nature. Detestable and wrong.
29
We cannot just blame the administration. For too long people have been convincing themselves that our lust for wealth justifies anything we do. It's interesting that now we are seeing real results of climate change there are so many people who are panicking. It brings to mind an old cliche that now we have to pay the piper. We need to try and hold the climate change back but history doesn't repeat. We have done too much damage.
5
It amazes me that the health and wellbeing of this entire nation of more than 350 million people depends on the ignorance of one man. How is it that congress doesn't have a say in this? It's absurd.
378
@Dougmat45
Congress does have a say. A treaty needs to be ratified by two thirds of the Senate. Obama never sent it to the Senate because he knew he never had the votes.
24
@Dougmat45 7.6 BILLION humans, and far more in animal species. The US is a small sliver of what will be affected.
26
@Dougmat45
In order for Obama's commitment to the
Paris agreement to be valid, he would have needed to get a 2/3 vote of the Senate. That is in the Constitution.
We are not bound by Obama's autocracy.
10
There comes a point where bad climate policy becomes a Crime Against Humanity. Components, according to UN, include: 1) Physical, including forced transfer of a population, 2) Contextual, when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, and 3) Mental, with knowledge of the attack.
It seems like this fits pretty well.
305
@Peter Flanagan-Hyde
Each of the following facts completely dispels the nonsense of global warming.
-Glaciers were Already Retreating Before 1900
-Ice ages have been coming and going for eons.
-The last 20 years have shown zero warming (hence the switch to 'climate change').
-Man produces less than 1/2 of 1 percent of C02 on the planet.
-It was warmer in the 15th century than it is now.
-The greatest warming in the 20th century was between 1935 and 1950.
-NASA confirms: Sea levels FALLING across the planet in 2016 and 2017.
-NASA Data: Earth Cooled by Half a Degree Celsius From '16-'18
-Scientists have been caught manipulating and hiding data.
-None, NONE, of their prior predictions have come true.
-In 1995 Al Gore said by 2005 Miami will be under water "due to Global warming". Miami is NOT underwater.
-The highest record temperature ever reported was 136 degrees Fahrenheit in Libya in 1922. The record high temperature for the United States was 134 degrees Fahrenheit in Death Valley, California in 1913.
-Excavations in the Antarctic have shown vegetation use to cover the continent.
-If all the C02 was removed from the atmosphere, we would die. Plants need C02 to live and we need plants to live.
3
@George Orwell
Crawl back into your hole. Increased CO2 emissions from industrialization/capitalism = more heat-trapping gases = a warmer planet = the eventual demise of agricultural systems and societal collapse.
9
@George Orwell Inconvenient truths, so I will just disregard them !!
4
We should all consider ourselves on notice. We have one year to save America and possibly the planet. And can we please stop announcing things of this importance on Twitter, no wonder nobody will trust us anymore, we went from being a first rate country to a fifth rate country in record time by skipping over second and third rate in under three years.
269
@Rick Gage
I kind of agree with you, Mr. Gage, but there's plenty of room to disagree...would a 'first-rate' country ever elect a Trump or have a system where such was even possible? We got here by being much less than first-rate. It's really not about Trump...it's about us. We made him possible and now we're getting exactly what we deserve!
40
@Rick Gage
TOTALLY AGREE; POMPEO WAS TOP IN HIS CLASS AND USES TWITTER TO BASICALLY ANNOUNCE THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN PLANS TO STAY OUT OF THE PROMISE TO HELP SAVE OUR HOME PLANET.
25 YEARS AGO, ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT BEGIN TO WORK HARD ENOUGH AT IT, THIS SCENE WOULD HAVE EXISTED ONLY WHEN A BATMAN VILLIAN ANNOUNCED IT IN A MOVIE.
1
Isn't ironic that the President serves notice to the UN about quitting the Paris Climate agreement while there are fires raging in California, Puerto Rico destroyed by hurricane Maria, Southeast Texas is now flash flood ground zero, streets of Miami also flooding, Midwest farms flooding due to the Missouri River in the states of Nebraska, Missouri, South Dakota,Iowa, Kansas with over a million acres of farm land flooded with over 2.9 billion dollars of property damages. I though he took an oath of office to serve the American people. Do the American people really want 4 more years of this?
242
Are you equally outraged about the air-and-water pollution coming from China, Bangladesh and India? The California fires are caused by Left-wing policies not to clear underbrush in the name of environmental conservatism. Trump has argued that California needs to adopt a more responsible campaign against needless wildfires. Are you really against that?
4
Rake it, like trump said. Unfortunately it would take large numbers of Mexican laborers to rake the entire California forest system, in order to solve this problem. Gosh why can’t we be as smart as that Raker trump. Glad we have republicans to rake the environment.
16
@Resolute
Yes. Shame on the Americans who voted for Trump and those who continue to support him. Trump doesn't know how to do anything constructive for America. He is the Destroyer in Chief. @Resolute
Yes. Shame on the Americans who voted for Trump and those who continue to support him. Trump doesn't know how to do anything constructive for America. He is the Destroyer in Chief.
15
What Trump and the Republican party have done to destroy our planet over the last 3 years is the most heartbreaking, destructive, and vindictive thing I have ever seen. He and his cult have gleefully pulled the plug on environments and species that are beloved by many Americans, and are now on life-support. Trump and his followers are literally the planet's worst nightmare. Only God can forgive them for what they have done. At this moment, I can't.
10
This can’t even charitably be called an “ideological” decision, as Trump doesn’t seem capable of understanding most complex ideas.
It’s really, entirely, about reversing anything initiated by Obama.
The man’s obsession with his predecessor is pathological, and likely rooted in his own racist impulses and raging insecurities.
18
Joke - How do you get Trump to change a lightbulb? Tell him Obama installed it.
The Democrats should dump all these insane plans and run on a platform to Restore America and Reverse Trumpism - strengthen the Affordable Care Act and undo the massive damage Trump has done to our alliances, our security and our trade. Can you imagine what he will do with a second term “mandate” - prepare yourselves because what I am seeing from the Democrats on budget busting propositions and identity politics will get Trump re-elected.
God I miss the old Tammany Hall Party bosses - they would have straighten this clown show out and untied the party behind a strong winning candidate.
What did America stand to lose by joining the Paris Agreement? Basically, nothing.
What does America stand to lose by withdrawing? Nothing but our standing as an enlightened nation leading the world community. Only the future of our planet and the chance for our grandchildren to live healthy secure lives. Nothing but the opportunity for science and reason to triumph over ignorance and self-destruction.
Only a heedless fool would choose this path. Trump will go down in history as the fifth horseman of the apocalypse.
11
@GBM
Obama agreed that the US would pay $40 billion per year to the autocratic leaders of the third world as part of his acceptance of the Paris Agreement.
We'd be giving cash to China while they were starting up a new coal fired plant every two weeks. You weren't aware that the US was going to pay 40% of the $100
billion. Every year, starting in 2020.
3
@ebmem Even if this news were true, such payments would be peanuts compared to the benefits Trump is conferring on the autocratic leaders of the world.
2
@ebmem You should try to get one or two of your "facts" straight. According to the NYT, the U.S. had pledged 3 billion dollars, total (not annually), toward the Green Climate fund, "to help poorer nations reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the effects of climate change"
1
Even though the decision not to be part of the Paris Agreement was in the works before, the fact of this man living in the W.H. confirming now that USA officially will not be part of said agreement is only a distraction as the impeachment is moving forward. At the same time solidifies the notion of this person (I am being really kind when I am referring to him, as I am not even able to type his name!) being so selfish, narcissist and merciless. He has woken up the white supremacists, and that should be one good reason to throw him in jail, let alone the quid pro quo he has engaged with the situation with Ukraine. What about not allowing his taxes to be scrutinized? Since when has the W.H. been a shelter for criminals?
8
Pompeo, the pompous, declared that the accord would impose undue burden on the U.S economy! It is to laugh ! It is to cry!
Next the titans of money and power will tell us that the efforts to contain climate chaos will hurt jobs in the good ol' US.A. Heaven knows how deeply these leaders? are committed to the interests of the common man/ woman.
Of course the climate disasters here and there now almost non stop will exact a toll, a very heavy toll, on regular people the world over. Maybe the state will bail out the bond holders and throw paper towels at the rest !
The fossil fuel industry of course could not be less concerned. They must at all cost protect their industries - no matter the cost. This is mantra of the Republican party, at least in large part. A criminal conspiracy and nothing less.
It is nothing less than the greatest example of criminality on a national level ever committed. The fascist state very up close and personal now.
Good morning America. It is time to wake up.
8
What would this American administration support in this world if it cannot support any initiative to curb pollution? I cannot imagine the American public at large being against such an agreement to reduce future emmisions. Trump has only vested interests to enrich Wall Street and Billionaires. He will oppose anything or accord which impeads that. Let American society rebel if it seems fit to do so.
5
One more watershed moment for Donald Trump as he ushers in yet another retreat of the United States into global irrelevancy.
5
This is just another revenge seeking move by Trump to undo anything President Obama did. So obvious.
10
Winning.
Every.
Single.
Day.
Winning.
Thank God for the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln: Donald J. Trump
May God Bless America
7
@Reality Check
That is so cute.
Thanks.
After a long day, I was in the mood for humor.
4
What galls me the most about Trump's climate policies is that upon taking office he never carefully considered the issue, never called in any of this country's brilliant scientists, never weighed the different approaches and policies that could be pursued. Rather, he took office with preconceived, Fox-implanted ideas of what would be best for Donald Trump, never mind the future of humanity and all the other species on this planet. And he has pursued his destructive, anti-climate policies with all the spitefulness that characterizes everything else he does. Yes, history may long remember Donald Trump, in that special hall of shame reserved for mankind's worst villains.
5
Oh cool. Everyone getting all bent out of shape about taxes for the middle class if we elect a democrat -
Guess what - taxes don't matter if we're all extinct.
7
It was probably naive to believe that government action was going to save the planet from climate change. I see many parallels with the impact of fluorocarbons on the ozone layer. Initially science identified the issue, industry denied the problem, but eventually the “ozone hole” was discovered and public attitudes changed - people rejected aerosol sprays using fluorocarbons, foam containers, demanded different refrigerants, then industry changed direction and developed alternatives. By the time the Montreal protocol was signed, while a good agreement, the tide had turned - governments followed the people - there was almost no opposition at this point. I believe we are wasting our time with government treaties. I feel most effort needs to go to convincing the population to take action by changing their choices. Industry will follow very quickly if their markets change. Currently all the technology exists to reduce fossil fuel consumption dramatically. I just hope we can change people’s views before the inevitable ozone hole type disaster occurs - it has been some thirty years since fluorocarbons were eliminated and the hole is just starting to heal - in the case of climate change the lag may be measured in centuries.
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/26/opinion/montreal-protocol-a-climate-success-story-to-build-on.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
@D Bird
The hole is on track to "heal" even though China, in violation of its commitment to the Montreal protocol, is emitting more CFCs today than when they signed the treaty.
So, maybe, the ozone hole was created by normal fluctuations in the earth's magnetic field and had nothing to do with CFCs.
As my uncle used to say, "Who died and left you king?"
He really thinks he's king!
BTW, the waters off Siberia are bubbling methane into the atmosphere from the melting permafrost. Maybe it's too late to reverse the death of the humans and animal life on Earth.
4
But what if Americans don’t want to leave the Paris Climate Agreement?
3
@Maura
Americans can vote in a Senate where two thirds of the members want to ratify this treaty. Thus far, they have not.
@Maura
If that were the case, they would elect Senators who would confirm the treaty.
@ebmem This year ?
“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” – John Kenneth Galbraith
9
More chaff to distract from his innumerable woes, and like his Syrian withdrawal distraction it has horrific global consequences. He must be stopped. By Senate removal via impeachment or at the ballot box, he must go!
3
Mr. Pershing said. “The United States has been written off in many cases as a partner,” he said. “You just can’t count on them”
Wake up America……. insanity has taken over the White House and the message is clear, the U.S. has been written off by Trump and the GOP and you can count on that.
2
A President who doesn't learn from his mistakes shouldn't be President.
1
"President Trump had long held that the accord would cripple growth and intrude on American sovereignty. 'It is time to put Youngstown, Ohio; Detroit, Mich.; and Pittsburgh, Pa., along with many, many other locations within our great country, before Paris, France,' he said in 2017 when he announced that the United States would withdraw from the accord."
What about New York, NY? It's going to be submerged. What about Miami, FL? It's going to be submerged. What about California? It's going to burn down. What about Texas? It's going to dry out. What about Phoenix, AZ? It's going to run out of water.
1
What an incredibly sad day for America. A day that will live in infamy.
4
Every single policy by Trump is driven by hatred. Hatred for Obama, hatred for immigrants, hatred for Democrats. I hope the silver-lining to this is Trump's downfall.
5
Trump can't figure out how to do anything positive or beneficial – except for he and his rich ilk – so I guess his big plan is to destroy all things Obama.
Kind of makes sense in his twisted mind I guess, because he knows he could simply never – not in a billion years – measure up to the grace, intelligence, and dignity of President Obama.
Seriously, this is like have an out of control brat for President.
3
Mr. Trump, you have placed your name on many edifices, endeavors and products. Now you have placed your name for future generations to despise. This is your legacy and the legacy that you have left for your grandchildren. Hopefully, they will use the monies you leave behind to try to undue what you have wrought.
1
The United States, so worried about free riding by other countries, is now set to become the biggest free rider of all.
2
Where is the outrage? Where are the protests? Maybe people are too busy commuting in their SUVs maybe the are waiting for packages with stuff they don’t need to arrive on the doorsteps. Maybe people think Democrats will win and solve the problem - it ain’t gonna happen...
3
Another distraction. He "pulled out" years ago. Could the damming released transcripts have something to do with it? hmm. Just like a toddler, his motives are transparent.
As our planet continues to warm, there may soon come a time when such an act of abuse against nature and society will be illegal and punishable.
I just do not understand how one man, one branch of our government, has the power to make these insane decisions that affect the entire country and world! Can someone please explain this?
1
@JLR
One man can do this because the previous president did not have the treaty ratified by the Senate.
If one man does it on his own -- Obama -- the next president can undo it on his own.
Once again, this Trump decision benefits Putin, who wants to exploit the minerals being exposed in the Arctic due to global warming.
To the people of Earth:
We owe an apology to you for the action taken today by our politcal leadership. It is either amazingly ill advised or insane, bent to a suicidal pathway and indifferent to the incredible suffering of people unprepared to cope with climate disruption. Remember this day, when the U.S. acted alone and in ignominy.
The rest of us should start writing letters of apology addressed to our children and grandchildren. The silent scream you do not hear is the sound of agony coming from those in the future who must pay for the mistakes of our generation. Present actions have future consequences.
Publius
Trump's presidency will shorty be viewed in hindsight as the worst presidency ever. Maybe he likes that idea, being the brilliant (not) contrarian he seems to think he is.
2
Can this day get any more depressing? First Nate Cohn's discouraging, disheartening summary of Trump's appeal in battle-ground states and now this other bookend holding up industrial greed and discrimination in all its ugly forms. MAGA supporters, are you reading what your president is doing to your health, your kids', and then their own kids'. Let us count the ways we will die early deaths or be victims of chronic debilitating diseases. Actually, there are only four paths when we think about it: polluted air, polluted water, polluted soil, and a polluted POTUS.
3
This is the act of a sick man. What kind of diabolical mind would withdraw from a plan that coordinates the nations of the world to try to control the impact of climate change in the hope of saving our planet? What rationale can there be for an act that will serve only the interests of big business when the survival of our descendants is at stake?
4
I love this. Liberals *triggered* beyond belief, meanwhile the US continues to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions faster than any other developed economy. But then again with the left it’s never about results, it’s about virtue signaling and punishing success
7
Sorry to say, I think this is going to help Trump politically. His base loves it when he gives the rest of the world the finger. Wall Street will love this as well. The problem is that the voters expect to see "growth." Remember Bill Clinton's "grow the economy"? That's what the voters want to hear. Our prosperity is based on population growth and the burning of fossil fuels. This can't end well for anyone, not even the rich.
4
What can one American say? We apologize to the world and future generations for this entirely wrong decision. We are now led by a representative of the segment of American society that seeks to destroy and reverse progress based on fear and ignorance. We are truly sorry.
2
You know everyone is complaining about pollution, and eveyone is an expert and everyone has an opinion. Let's stop complaining, and let's do our part and clean up the pollution ourselves. We need to do our part without the intervention of the government. Do we need others such as the President or government to do it for us? Recycle, stop using gas and oil, stop drinking bottled water and using its plastic bottles (tell Nestle enough), stop drinking soda and using cans, tell Coca Cola and Pepsi stop using so much water, stop drinking Starbucks and using paper cups, stop using your smart phones and computers to no longer use more plastics. We have to re-educate ourselves. If we really want to make a difference, WE don't need an accord to ward off climate change, when WE as American are responsible for the pollution. WE need to take responsibility for our use. We need to stop crying. Come on, come to your senses, WE are a consumer nation and WE don't want to accept responsibility for our OWN actions. So what excuses are WE going to come up with? WE are to blame.
4
Trump's withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, leaves me with an empty and sad feeling. Our children and their children will miss out on experiencing the joy of nature, and will instead have to worry about floods, fires and other natural disasters even more than we do, because of the acts of this selfish president. Already our children have lost an innocence and confidence no longer trusting that government always helps people and makes the wise and noble choice, an innocence I had the opportunity to grow up with.
1
Each state should independently join the Paris Treaty as the Federal government promotes the decay of this planet and the people and animals that live on it. Each state has the authority to commit to its people to adhere to a plan that protects them. Even from the Federal government one of the strongest supporters of climate disaster to each state.
3
With the latest fires still blazing in California and "unseasonably hot" November weather drying our forests for the next fire, the President wants us to deny climate change and turn our backs on other nations trying to slow the threat. Let's elect someone more responsible in 2020.
2
I'd say this is a crime against humanity, but a crime against life on earth is more to the point.
2
Another glaring situation, where we are withdrawing from our responsibility and leadership, from the world stage.
Climate change is not confined to one particular location in the world. We are already seeing the impact from climate change, here in the US. and in many parts of the world.
The majority of the signatories to the original Paris Accord, are staying committed. They are even preparing to move ahead with improving guidelines, and seeking ways to implement them. These countries, see the growing threat that global warming is posing to our planet. They realize the importance of addressing the threat.
There is so much the US can do. To work with other countries around the world, and provide the desired leadership. What is disappointing is that we are not seeing it that way. More disappointing is that, while the rest of the world is moving along, they do not even feel the absence of US participation or involvement. Are we isolating ourselves from the world stage?
1
Spain was once a major, world influencer and shaper. Rome, too. No empire or republic is infinite . . . and the move up to the end is decades in the making. Trump is just the final few steps toward the arc's top.
And, there is always some other great power to fill the abyss. China.
History will write that a two-party republic cannot function forever.
I am just further saddened that our implosion will harm so many outside of the United States.
7
"Though American participation in the Paris Agreement will ultimately be determined by the outcome of the 2020 election, supporters of the pact say they have to plan for a future without American cooperation."
Darn if this doesn't sound a lot like Brexit. Except in this case, it isn't just about abandoning our allies of long standing, it's about life itself.
5
We need a negative carbon future or we'll have a negative human future because the carbon cycle for the last 2 million years was doing 180-280ppm atmospheric CO2 over 10,000 years and we’ve done more change than that in 100 years.
The last time CO2 went from 180-280ppm global temperature increased by around 5 degrees C and sea level rose 130 meters.
Here’s a graph of the last 400,000 years of global temperature, CO2 and sea level http://www.ces.fau.edu/nasa/images/impacts/slr-co2-temp-400000yrs.jpg
We cannot describe the current climate related impacts as the "new normal" because climate will keep changing for a very long time due to the momentum in Earth's energy system and climate.
And I'm worried because I don't think we have a clue as to how to adapt to a continually shifting target.
3
“Negotiators spent the early months of the Trump presidency debating strategies for salvaging American support for the accord.”
First off-Americans support this accord. It is the administration doesn’t.
We have completely gone away from “the will of the people.” With all of our technology, one would have thought electronic surveys be a common practice. The government speaks for “Americans” without any facts or percentages. Come on already.
11
Yet another reason to replace Trump in 2020. First order of business on Inauguration Day will be to get us back on track with the climate. Our world simply cannot afford to ignore this looming disaster. We are already seeing the damage.
25
Trump mentioned a list of cities whose economies might be helped by withdrawing from the Paris accord, but what about New Orleans, Miami, Norfolk Va and New York and a host of others as they sink under rising waters. And what about the West as it burns to cinders mimicing Paradise Ca.? Or floods in the mid west? Trump cares only about winning this next election and does not care about any of this much less the affects that will ripple around the world.
14
Solution: Ignore Trumpism.
1: The Paris Accords entail actions that are already in play by non-governmental agencies (communities, corporations, etc.) who "Get It" on climate crises. Everybody: Keep doing what is ongoing. Do what the Accords call for, in the future. So, the Accords will still be in effect, November 5, 2020.
2: Democratic candidates: Proclaim to global allies that the U.S. will re-enter the Accords regime, November 5, 2020. There will be no actual activity that undermines the Accords. Keep the faith in the American ethos of collaborative leadership.
And notice, world: America's impeachment process is working. A peaceful remedy against oligarchic autocracy heralds the superiority of democratic constitutionality over strong-man government.
Democracy can work effectively. The American example will be great again. It's no exceptionalism: We can suffer blathering incompetents, too.
It's about American commitment to its idea, inherited from European humanism—and from all the great religions: We all are the shepherds of Mother Earth.
10
I am against Paris agreement, I think that it is wrong. The wrong part of the agreement is that it is designed to redistribute wealth from rich countries to poor countries - but if this new wealth is used by these poor countries to raise their consumption, it will make the situation worse, not better. Since this accord has no checks and balances built in, countries with net wealth inflows will pollute more while rich countries will stay on the same path as Paris accord does not propose any usable solutions, just feel good ones.
8
The Paris Agreement was not designed to redistribute wealth. This sort of misinformation is why we are facing such a huge problem.
30
I’m intrigued by your comment. If this is what the Paris Agreement is, wouldn’t it be better to stay in it and try to address this problem rather than to just pull out?
1
@DL Thank you for the comprehensive misunderstanding of what the Paris Accords stayed and toward which they are directed.
1
The importance of trust in America cannot be understated. Yet day by day we have Trump decisions made by his "gut" without regard to recommendations and/or thought as to what is the best long-term strategy for America. Remember Syria last week, what will it be next week - Trump is doing irreparable harm as he continues to dismantle America's stature week by week.
10
Overhunting and fishing, habitat loss, pollution and now global warming.
None of these happen in a vacuum but there are synergies among them which make the whole vastly greater than the sum of the parts.
The climate change we’ve made so far is small compared to natural variability (+5 degrees coming out of glaciations) but we could make change as big as any natural change and a whole lot faster.
And we’re pushing the system in multiple ways.
9
The United States is the world’s Largest Polluter per capita. It is Shameful that the United States - world’s Largest Polluter - has refused to Act to save the World from its own actions. Some of the poorest Nations in the world, with per Capita incomes less than 3% of the US, are doing More to limit Pollution than the US in the last 2 years.
15
@S Venkatesh
A billion people burn no fossil fuels.
The US produce 16 tons of CO2 per person per year.
Bangladesh produces less than half a ton of CO2 per person per year, yet a third of that country is going under the waves over the next 1-300 years largely due to the emissions of the developed countries.
Along with a third of Bangladesh you can add most of the world's large cities because they are coastal.
9
364 days until the election.
People have the power.
19
Let’s all remember this day - like Dec 7, 1942, it will go down as a day of infamy. Except in this case, wrought by the US against the entire world.
11
@R-Star 1942? Ummm...
Ya, the Republican Party, Party of the great American Family values, like they have any concern whatsoever about our children's fate. The Hypocrisy never ends and has escalated to new heights with the abomination of a human being as president. The Repubs are fully behind this as they have done nothing but promote one horrific decision after another, they are now The Party Of Trump,Dictator want to be. The Republican Party is no longer, started with the Tea Party Take over. Our country is in big trouble.
8
Fingers are crossed Florida sinks faster than predicted taking Trump with it.
28
For someone who just decided to move his residence to Florida, he's working very hard to make that state disappear under the rising sea.
23
Trump has made his fortunes (mythical or real) on government supported housing projects and by creating venues for pensioners to gamble away their pensions. He's not a productive creator, he's a temporizing predator, a master of short-term thinking who seems to have magical powers when he dispenses with programs with vision and long-term pay-outs, like resurrecting moribund "nationalism" and "white tribalism" as the real world evolves as a global community of concern (climate, war, resources) and expanded horizons of opportunity liberated from brutism animal necessity. He's an absent landlord: he doesn't live in the condition he prescribes for others. But, his tenure—hopefully short—will flesh out what is incoherent, i.e., dead, in the ad hoc scheme known as the "postwar consensus." His enablers, sometimes called "supporters", should be skeptical about being bought out by a reality-tv creation, a professional dissimulator. With any luck, the process of forgetting the sad crotch-grabber, will soon get underway. Young people, women, the ethnically unenlightened by ticki-torches, and the racially unbleached have every reason to lock this person back in the glitz of his golden tower and golden showers—without a golden parachute.
6
Make America Great Again Trump, MAGAT, pronounced 'maggot'.
11
What a convenient headline grabbing day to deliberately do something stupid.
8
The only explanation that I can see for Trump quitting the Paris Climate Agreement is to score one against Obama who put the agreement together. Since Obama is black Trump appears to have decided he had to do something even though it clearly goes against our national interest. He could not let a black man have this achievement and it is hard to see how the agreement can work without US. No other authoritarian leader has pulled out of the agreement and that includes Putin. It seems certain this is a political move by Trump for his white supremacist base that became a major factor in American politics in the backlash against the election of a black president. He is also rolling back all of Obama actions to combat climate change such as the Clean Power Plan and Obama's actions to reduce the release of toxic substances into the environment. To carry out his racist agenda he is wrecking everything associated with Obama and Americans as well as people around the world are going to be adversely affected.
5
Some worry about how much climate action would cost, the simple answer is infinitely less than climate inaction.
For how do you put a price on ice sheets which hold the fate of most of our large cities, Arctic sea ice which restrains temperature rise, permafrost which restrains global temperature rise, jet stream which affects weather where billions of people live, deep ocean ventilation which supports global diversity, ecosystems we depend on, etc etc,
The cost of inaction is infinite, for us. And we're about out of time, of not already, because of the momentum in Earth's energy system and climate.
7
Why did we stop using "global warming"? It sums up the issue nicely - NIMBYism is useless and progress is only highly impactful when it can be shared around the world.
Without nearly global participation (and yes, many countries will cheat but so what), other measures are mostly spinning our battery-powered wheels.
1
@Alan
I tend to use the both phrases although they do have different meanings. Global warming refers to the increasing temperature of the planet now due to our increasing emissions of greenhouse gasses and amplifying feedbacks.
Climate change refers to the associated impacts from that rise in temperature.
4
Without the cooperation of the US is tough for the planet, but if this also means 'without the interference' of the administration, then it is surely good for making progress. Sadly, US lawyers will be every room in the negotiating process and will continue to be disruptive.
In the end, this decision by the Trump administration will cost the United States trillions of dollars, and probably cost the lives of millions of people around the world should nothing be done to reverse this insanity.
Within a short period of time, probably a decade or less, action to reverse many of the effects of climate change will be useless; the feedback loops of a warming world, sea level rise, food shortages, conflicts over water availability, declining viability of animal life, will be unstoppable.
Where I live, in Maine, our local government is making a strong effort to address the effects of climate change, from the warming of the Gulf of Maine to rising sea levels on our shores. Every city in America needs to act quickly to try to avoid the worst events which are surely on the horizon. Some will, others won't. We can only work for change; we must.
10
The man is all about spite and enriching his donors. The Paris Accord was a good but minimal step towards changing the arc of human destructiveness.
Actually, not one of the decisions he has made - that I know of - will improve the lives of the vast majority of Americans. He is in fact destructive. He acts to destroy the environment, our future world, our reputation, out alliances and our fiscal integrity.
Imagine if Trump were elected during a time of crisis instead of basking in the wind of an economic recovery he had no part in making. His incompetence would be fully revealed so that everyone would realize it.
Trump will pass soon enough. However, countless millions of children and young adults are the ones who will live with his disastrous, misguided, ill-informed “policies” if you can even call them that.
25
The USA is now an isolated outlier under trump, rather then the leader it once was. A rogue nation. Hey trump supporters, if this Make America Great Again you've got your wish. Shame.
10
Americans are the worst polluters by far. They consume twice as much energy as the average European.
Their carbon foot print (15 T ) is 3 or 4 times heavier than a European ( average 4 t ) .
The US industries are very high polluters.
2
Trump is an over the top villain, about as unbelievable as a villain in a James Bond movie.
Evil for the sake of evil.
14
It is foolish to give a child a gun, a car or a Country to play around, but we did. It is time to rectify and recover our sanity.
10
This just makes me want to cry.
7
Elections have consequences. You elect a beauty pageant host as president ? You really shouldn't have expected much. Sad to say, and I never thought I'd be saying this, we live in a country full of really dumb people.
25
@sheikyerbouti
Hillary was right about them. They are deplorable.
1
Oh dear. The biggest (and richest) carbon polluter on the planet per person says the burden...is intolerable. Bearing in mind the populations of just India and China make the US population of around 300 million look tiny in comparison, and that the bulk of those populations are struggling to make a living, which is becoming increasing more difficult because of America’s excesses - the delusions (and self interest) of the Trump administration are writ large.
Some facts about Man Made Climate Change:
The troposphere, in which all surface life on earth exists – is the thickness of a cigarette paper in terms of the earth’s dimensions; and it is in this that green-house gases accumulate. Meanwhile vegetation, trees mainly, that ‘inhale’ such gases…and ‘exhale’ oxygen that, pre-industrial revolution, kept the balance of life as it was for millennia. Not any more, now that vegetation is being systematically destroyed in the name of ‘progress’ worldwide.
Still, all this embedded in the psyche of Americans since the settlers came…so it is practically a religion now, Indeed, to quote its founder, America's Ann Coulter: ‘…God gave us the earth, go forth and rape it…’
Perhaps Trump is simply an innocent disciple of this religion. And indeed, perhaps god’s instrument for what is to come when the wheat lands become deserts, occasioning the collapse of the US economy, which drives the world economy...?
Discuss...
1
Someday soon Trump needs to be tried and convicted for crimes against humanity. All his cares about is undoing everything Obama did, with not one iota of worry about what his vengeance will do the the planet and it inhabitants.
14
Outrageous! Need anything else be said?
2
What a disgrace. We’re all facing the ravages of climate change and this fake president wants to walk away from global action to tackle it. This man will go down in history as one of the most evil.
8
Thank a “Green” Party voter.
The irony!
3
What do you expect from a 250+ pound man who lies in bed watching Fox, tweeting "enemies", surrounded by Big Mac wrappers, french fries, and cola cups? His bedroom is an environmental disaster.
I'm guessing his wife sleeps in another room to avoid the fumes and trash.
I pity the maid.
8
He really might want to reconsider since he changed his residency to Florida (thinking he would be free from the jurisdiction in NY that wants to see his taxes). He is going to regret it as His Palm Beach estate just might be destroyed as storms get worse and his deregulation’s affecting climate change affects acceleration of severe consequences on our planet.
What a stupid, selfish man. I hope the. 60 million who voted for him are happy and don’t have grandchildren.
2
Rationally, trump is guilty of a Crime Against Humanity. It's tantamount to a genocidal war against Humanity.
5
I AM with words. I hope Trump's ocean-front properties are destroyed for rising sea levels and he'll get what he so richly deserves. I do not feel wrong in saying this. Trump is pure evil.
6
He cited climate change on permits in order to get sea walls built around his coastal resorts...
1
That’s what you get when ignorant people vote for corrupt mendacious liars. We can’t afford to save ourselves...logical to a multiple bankrupt/divorced crook.
3
Impeach and convict.
7
trump looks at the world through cement colored glasses.
2
Who does this?
4
Imagine... committing to do something that would benefit the world... draconian I say...
The world deserves its fate. America deserves what it voted for.. a corrupt, incompetent, petty man.
2
I thought we left this things two years ago. Good riddance.
1
We must destroy this man at the polls because he is an agent of total destruction.
4
"Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the notification on Twitter and issued a statement saying the accord would impose intolerable burdens on the American economy."
I guess the thought never occurred to these imbeciles that instead of trying to resuscitate coal, a policy that allowed China to achieve total domination of the renewable energy sector, we could have taken the lead in that field. That would have been a positive development for the environment and would have created an untold number of jobs.
Rather than innovate and invent, all we do now is kowtow to special interests. The consequences be damned.
5
Follow the money of Trump and the GOP. Follow the corruption of Trump and the GOP. And then you will find out why the collective lot of them band together on the issue of climate change. Two examples...the GOP denying climate change is why Lisa Murkowski is hell bent on destroying the Tsongass National Forest and lusting to drill in the Arctic. We all need these resources, and many others like them, to remain intact if we are to combat climate change.
4
His disregard for the environment is sociopathic.
10
Craven.
3
Interesting article. No matter how much the author wanted to put the onus on Trump and the US it was also clear that other countries want to take advantage of the US. China and India have done virtually nothing to cut emissions. Even very few European countries have done anything substantive. While Europe and Asia have sucked jobs from the US. Of course China wanted the US to participate so they could further weaken us. Trump is doing the right thing while we continue to cut emissions on our own.
1
You are completely wrong in your assertion that the US is taken for a ride by Europe. Europe has done an aweful lot to curb its footprint. Just look at the number of windmills, the subsidies in solar panels andsubsequently the number of panels on roofs, the introduction of a cap and trade system to name just a few of the implemented measures. And there are many more measures coming such as complete carbonless heating of homes, stricter insulation laws for new build homes, cradle to grave thinking on consumption etc. And that against a base where the size of the European economy as a total is on par with the US, while the footprint is only half in absolute measure.
But on one thing I agree. This is all not enough to curb the disaster whe are heading for. We all need to do more, and the richest parts of the world Europe and US need to take the lead. Else it won’t work. I’ll outlive this mess, but what about the children and grandchildren ?
5
Tell me, how does this make America great again? Let alone, how is this in the national interest if it’s clear that climate change is possibly the greatest threat (as communicated by defence chiefs of western countries such as your friends in Australia; and evident in Trumps aggression towards state forestry in California)?
Even major companies, including energy companies and mining, are beginning to publicly acknowledge and recognise the importance and threat of climate change. This lacks leadership, courage and foresight. Notably though, those top 20 companies that are responsible for 35% of all global carbon emissions seem to not be driving debate for change or anything near to Paris Accord - which I suspect is where Trump is coming from in his position on this.
America, get it together! You’ve got to find a way to find middle ground to work together as republicans and dems. Trump is not healthy for your country.
Reference:
https://amp.abc.net.au/article/11543464
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/09/revealed-20-firms-third-carbon-emissions
5
Once again, I am so sad that we never had a President Gore. So many bad turns since that campaign was lost.
14
He just gave a Great live speech in Kentucky and said what a horrible one sided agreement it is/ but more than that ....He really has his game together Big Time ...I wish the Democrats would give up on this empty agenda that is pure political and go join our President in taking this Nation to the next level ...have a gut feeling the Voters come 2020 Presidential Debate are going to get all the Truth they need to get a new congress of Action over this Green between the ears ,nose ,and thumb nothing getting done baloney investigation !
1
Deplorable! We can rejoin after a Democrat is elected next year.
6
Perhaps the wall, that great big beautiful wall, will hold back the changing climate? He has no shame.
4
Over 40% of the voters and 100% of the GOP are in favor of this. The Planet doesn't care one way or another.
3
Trump is a very, very dangerous anachronism. After all these years, the first Earth Day in 1970, fifty years, FIFTY YEARS of research into climate control, Love Canal, phosphates, water pollution, Three Mile Island and on and on and on. He was a young man when we were all being introduced to the follies of big business, industry and the fragility of our earth. Where has he been? Who does he think he is? His base may adore him but they’ll die as easily and with as little dignity as the rest of us. This man needs to go before he kills us all.
3
Oh no. A tax and power grab by bureaucrats and greedy politicians is thwarted.
Time for all the sky is falling chicken littles posting here to give up air conditioning, flying, driving, central heat, plastics, and out of season fruits and vegetables.
3
A bad version of Groucho Marx, “whatever it is I’m against it“
1
Don’t worry y’all, he will be out in one year and one day from today and we will rejoin
Trump’s callous, contemptuous, and corrupt disregard for the cataclysmic consequences of accelerating climate change must be included as a stand-alone accusation in the final House Articles of Impeachment. By his presidential actions and inactions he is single-handedly responsible for a large part of the earth’s march to eventual extinction.
2
Great. Just great.
@Tavis Dockwiller The intelligence of the American people.
America Made Great Again !!!
1
Trump's selfish need for adoration and greed for filthy lucre is underscored by his denial of science and literal scorched earth policy. Unfortunately he doesn't care about the future of the planet and what kind of hellscape he bequeaths to his youngest son. If he read at all perhaps we could attribute his egomaniacal approach to his exercise of power as a literal reference to the famous Oppenheimer quote that followed the first successful test from the atomic bomb.
2
On trade, on foreign affairs, on immigration, on gun control, on race relations. on gender equality ( I am sure I have missed some) your president is an abject failure. No surprise that he should go the same way on climate change.
5
Kill your opponents with a toxic environment—- making America Great Again with polar vortex and hurricanes...
Thank you GOP and Mr. President—
1
45 is like a toddler having a tantrum, breaking everything in sight because it feels good who cares about the future if you’re trying to destroy everything in sight? He doesn’t give a flip.
5
Bravo. It is time this scam was outed.
The USA only leaves if Trump is re-elected if he is defeated by a democrat the USA no doubt will stay in the Paris Accord along with the rest of the civilized world. Another reason to vote Trump out of office and let him face NY prosecutors without the protection of his toady Barr.
2
The Grinch of the Paris Climate Agreement sets the Christmas tree ablaze before it gets to the Rockefeller Center.
"Mr. Pompeo, in his remarks on Twitter, said that the United States would still maintain a voice in international discussions on global warming."
This makes leaving all the more morally reprehensible. At the very least they should go back to denial, so they can look like idiots rather than immoral and irresponsible.
1
I open the NYT, see "TRUMP SERVES NOTICE TO QUIT". My heart leaps! And then I see the second half of the headline.
It was a really, really good 200 milliseconds.
10
The Paris Agreement is not about climate change it is about transferring trillions of dollars from first world economies to 2nd and 3rd world countries. I am all in on lowering pollution and ushering in new clean energy sources. That being said I do not feel that the USA should pay for 175 of the 200 nations involved to have new energy sources. Why should we have to pay every other country on the planet because they think we put too much pollution in the air. All the Paris Agreement is simply a way for poor countries to get money from rich countries. It is a scam to get money from the USA
2
@Mark The USA are a very modern nation.
They are the champion in every category.
The Paris Agreement is symbolic. However, there are surprising, hard-to-believe, breakthrough technologies, based on not yet accepted new science that can dramatically change the picture - replacing fossil fuels far more rapidly than present systems.
For example, any engine can soon be easily and cheaply converted to run on water, instead of gas, diesel or jet fuel. This is not electrolysis but a patented new system that creates nanobubbles in water and strikes them with micro ball-lightning. WATER - The Key to New Energy, by Moray King details the history. King predicted it would prove possible. The water can be taken from the air ending any need to refuel.
Cars, trucks & buses running on water can generate & sell electricity or power buildings when suitably parked, gradually replacing the need for power plants.
Engines have been invented that need no fuel, using instead the huge untapped reservoir of heat in the atmosphere. These bend textbook science which has become dangerous dogma. Presentations at 3 AAAS Meetings faced no refutation. Such engines can run 24/7. With no combustion they might be made of polymers on 3D printers. First as emergency generators - then scaling to replace or supplement intermittent wind & solar pv.
A new book titled HIDDEN ENERGY is an introduction to this revolution in science.
The climate crisis demands bold innovation. It is being born regardless of this Administrations' dangerous policies. See aesopinstitute.org
1
If the Obama Administration were against the Paris Climate Accords then Trump would championing it's benefits.
It's as simple as that.
He's as simple as that.
11
fine. I think the EU should apply a climate tariff to US products.
6
It is long past time for the Congress to stop the president from unilaterally running the federal government by Executive Orders.
Trump can be stopped, particularly by the Senate. International treaties must be ratified by the Senate.
Withdrawing from treaties also requires ratification.
What will it take to awaken the Republican senators?
Doesn’t the fate of the planet concern you Silent Right-wing Senators???
3
It is days like this that I am happy I do not have children who need to live in this mess we are leaving behind. This administration is trashing both our reputation as Americans and our planet. The next generation has their work cut out for them to fix all of this, if it even can be fixed at this point.
2
I have mixed feelings. The Paris accord was inadequate, even as a start. If we can't do better we're doomed. We need leaders, not people like Trump.
I think that Donald Trump will be elected in 2020. Why are we even talking about healthcare for all? I am a fervent Socialist and I believe that healthcare for all and overhauling corporate America is the right thing to do. But radicalism in the face of the impending global environmental disaster facing us and a president who should be tried for crimes against humanity for that and so much more is not acceptable. Democrats just have a way of getting themselves in the sights of the proverbial "circular firing squad".
This is how our democracy ends.
We need a lot more personal "green" holiness in this country to demonstrate to the out-of-tune folks in Washington, DC, that their status quo stinks. If you are a parent, make sure that your children learn bicycle safety and get them out on bikes daily. Ride one yourself. Demand better public transportation. Make sure that your kids can walk somewhere to run errands for you or with you, even if your neighbors are auto-addicted. Wear an extra sweater if you live in a cool area, inside and outside. Plant a garden of some kind. Knit that sweater yourself. Learn acoustic instruments, and read books off-line in a window by natural light.
Much of the pollution stems from cell phone usage: find wholesome non-electrical alternatives to all of the thumb punching. Trump's "decision" is only a symptom of a much larger societal problem.
The Europeans, by their simpler lifestyle choices, manage to use half as much energy per person as we hogs on this side of the Atlantic while outliving us. They have every reason to be collectively dismayed by our failure to lead.
One good organization worth supporting: The Union of Concerned Scientists.
2
Is it really a hardship to keep our rock livable?
2
Somebody needs to sue the Trump administration for this decision. It’s the only thing they understand.
I wouldn’t count on voting him out of office. Relying on voters in a few states like Florida is a waste of time.
1
Think about how enthusiastically Trump would embrace the findings of climate science if it served his interests. That’s about all you need to know about the man. Truly sad.
3
America is part of the globe. As such it simply can’t act in Unitarian fashion. America plays a major role in global warming. Simply closing eyes and ears doesn’t make any sense.
America, China, India, Europe, Latin America and Indonesia must play a big role in reducing global warming greatly including population control. Shunning their responsibility amounts only to mass destruction on this planet.
Business interests shouldn’t matter. Only people’s lives must matter.
2
If Trump had grandchildren perhaps he would think differently about climate change; perhaps does not, right?
He does have grandchildren.
2
Does anyone think he has read a word of the accord? Or, for that matter, NFTA, the Iran nuclear deal, the affordable care act, or his own tax plan?
That New Yorker Cover of him cannonballing into the pool of republican hopefuls is the only policy he knows.
The picture of Trump walking away from the helicopter shows a lonely man who has become the laughing stock of the world.
2
Renewables are an important step but it is too late to rely solely on that. At this point, we have to remove carbon from the atmosphere and beneficially re-use it. There are many companies working on this technology now. Planting trees and kelp farming are among other drawdown solutions.
2
I would think Trump would be all in given the economic opportunities of a green new world. Would his withdrawal from the Climate Accord have anything to do with coal and oil? And isn’t he buddies with the older energy sources?
1
(((sigh))) Pay no attention to yet another attempt to distract away from the fact that Mr. T. 's troubles: tax returns, pending impeachment, destructive testimony in impeachment inquiry. Besides, the withdrawal would go into effect the day after election day in 2020. An interesting calculation.
3
I wish I had a choice on whether to believe in climate change. The rising waters in Lake Michigan, in general, and Green Bay, in particular don’t afford me that luxury. My family and I are living with it.
Meanwhile, good luck to the rest of you.
10
This is devastating, and so frustrating. Because our economic future, and that of the entire globe, resides in renewal energy and innovative solutions to an inevitably warming planet and changing climate. If only Trump had the foresight and imagination to understand. But he doesn't. So the green revolution will need to wait as our oceans continue to rise.
4
It's probably worse than you think.
A population of a few million human hunter-gatherers was apparently beyond the carrying capacity of the planet as most places where we showed up the megafauna disappeared.
Around 10-12,000 years ago, when large climate oscillations settled down, we developed agriculture which allowed us to double our population many times into the billions.
But agriculture faces big challenges if we don’t change our ways soon (1), as do our fisheries, and if they both decline significantly, forcing us back to being largely hunter-gatherers, history tells us that out of every 1,000 people you see maybe one survives.
Except this time it won’t be meat on the hoof with mastodons, large flightless birds and picking lobsters off the beach. Going back to trying to hunt and gather during the 6th mass extinction isn’t the best timing so one in a thousand may be wildly optimistic.
1 IPCC Western N America drought 1900-2100
http://icons.wxug.com/hurricane/2013/drought-western-us-1900-2100.png
7
I think many are missing the point. I am a scientist and fully believe that climate change is a strongly evidenced reality.
However, acceptance of CC doesn’t mean we HAVE to do anything. The world and our lives are ephemeral already. Whether it happens tomorrow or a hundred years from now, we will die one way or another.
And after we are dead, for all practical purposes the world dies with us from our personal perspective. Without a viewer there is no view. No one is promised anything in this life and no one is forced to do anything.
Doing nothing is always an option.
2
@Patrick Campbell, I happen to want to live on a healthy planet for as long as possible, and for younger generations to also enjoy a healthy planet, so yes, I think it’s worth fighting for any measures that prolong the life of our planet.
19
True but isn’t non action resulting in a forced choice for us all?
4
@Patrick Campbell:
You're sterile, uber existentialist perspective is of course your choice to hold, but from my life experience there's rather more color and beautiful mysteries that capture one's imagination, and thus, reverence for the sheer miracles of not only life per se, but the profound concept of consciousness (and from that, the Arts, mysteries and, yes, your seemingly sterile attitude towards Self.
Fundamentally, at some point in life, surely everyone must wonder about, and be humbled by, the sheer and utterly unfathomable fact of the existence of the Universe . . . It's emergence from nothing is inconceivable, let alone the necessity of some "spark" to spontaneously emerge from --- what???
These mysteries shall never be truly understood by the human mind. In that laid lays beauty that makes this very short lifespan we humans have substantive and profound.
1
My children and grandchildren deserve better. If trump wants to spoil the future for his family, he has no right to spoil ours as well.
We lead by example for 75 years, and in three short years, this fraud has destroyed it all. The tragedy is the world now sees the American people through this prism. Sadly, long after he is gone, those who embrace his devastating views will remain among us.
What is hard to understand is how his rural supporters who hunt and fish are willing to sit back as he increases pollution of their air and water. What are they thinking?
20
They're not thinking. That's the problem.
2
I don't know if it should be called "ironic" or something else when Trump first complain that the NATO members do not pay enough for the guns that should protect the alliance and then in the next breath state that the Paris accord "would impose intolerable burdens on the American economy".
Saving the planet is less important than building guns that can blow it up. I guess that, in some weird sense, the Trumps are consistent. They are not interested in saving anything.
12
This is the time for State and Local governments to step in and fill the leadership void.
16
I would hope, but not expect, that president Trump be accused and convicted at some future time by the International Court of Justice for crimes against humanity for willfully ignoring all evidence of the consequences of anthropogenic global warming, and act to accelerate the its impact at the expense of countless of casualties.
26
@Rudy Ludeke
FYI, the US does not recognize the jurisdiction and certainly not the decision of the International Court. It does not recognize the decision of the International Arbitration Court either.
The only time the US recognizes their decision is when the US can use it as a political pressure point, as it the case against China and the SCS decision.
@Arthur Y Chan
I was well aware of the US lack of recognition, but the international stigma of The Hague's condemnation would be celebrated and shared the world over.
5
How can such capriciousness be allowed to usurp the will of the people? Really.
17
Canada is in the Paris accord and has missed their carbon goals
America is out of the Paris accord and has met every goal
In the meantime Trump saved America $3 billion that would have gone to third world dictators without strings or enforcement
China of course is the problem- but no one wants to address that
6
@William Rodham Keep on fracking, drilling, lowering auto standards, ignoring fires, tornedoes, hurricanes, floods, using streams and rivers for toxic waste. Everything will be just fine.
18
And how about that national debt?
1
@William Rodham
How many American corporations moved their manufacturing operations to Asia?
What part of the total output of goods manufactured in Asia is destined for the U.S. market.
William, your argument is stunning at first blush. But, after a minute or two of consideration, it just might be flawed.
2
The only God known to exist, Mother Nature, believes in Global Climate Change, which follows from the law of physics. Sadly, She doesn’t care about human beings. Why should She? We foul our own nest.
11
@JSK --
Short and sweet comment, absolutely spot-on.
As much as I would like to see a rising ocean engulf Mar-a-Lago while Trump is futzing around on its golf course, we cannot afford to have this destructive fool abrogate international agreements to ameliorate global warming any longer. Time has run out for us to start acting responsibly. We humans did it and we have get to work to fix it.
27
Start by making sure this fool doesn't get a second term. The damage he's done in three short years will be with us for decades.
He is wrong and it was a mistake to let him anywhere near the oval office.
Perhaps he will believe in Climate change as his property in Florida gets wetter and wetter.
21
We can rejoin. Tomorrow my state votes, and under-25s have registered in record numbers.
Party of denial and pollution, we are coming for your old, white, intolerant House and Senate seats. And the White House.
Best get ready for 2020, because we are.
41
@Peak Oiler
I sure hope so!
2
Lord of the Universe Trump clearly and emphatically believes that any world left after his death isn't worth preserving. So why bother?
14
This is another of Trump's tactics: wreak havoc, distract, divert, confuse, obfuscate, overwhelm. "Pathetic."
20
Once again Trump is doing putin's bidding. Putin believes global warming gives russia the warm water port it has always wanted. Our withdrawal weakens the western alliance, it weakens America's standing in the world. Pelosi had it right - with trump, all roads lead to Russia/Putin.
At some point somebody is gonna figure out there's a mole in the WH - the potus.
Ya can't make this stuff up.
16
The people that support Trump despite his efforts to destroy our democracy and the planet do so because it is a way of spitting in the face of the rest of America - people of color, the liberal "elite", anyone they can blame for their own misfortunes. The more outrageous and destructive Trump becomes the more his "base" find him attractive as their spokesperson.
This is not a new phenomenon - as the Germans and Austrians of the 1930's found out the hard way.
26
So you blame them for your misfortune. Which came first, chicken or egg?
impeach....NOW!
7
...largest economy AND world's biggest polluter putting carbon into the atmosphere...2 to 3 times as much per person as the next largest polluter, plus responsible for 20-30% of China's pollution because they make stuff for us. Fits Trump just fine--take as much as he can and then walk away stiffing everyone else.
11
The planet is in potentially life support mode, judging by the considerable sick symptoms it is increasingly exhibiting.
The climate crisis does not respect borders as far as I can discern. The US when balanced and science based, was well aware of this, its causes and well outlined options. Many sophisticated societies are already ramping up their new normals in defence along with well established practices which offer hope, coping mechanisms and the real prospect of a better future.
One caveat which is inescapable, is that it will take all our efforts and changes to bring this cure about. Further, there is little doubt that failure to do so will expose the planet to potentially irreversible downsides from which the result will be catastrophic.
There is still time for the US to reverse its decision, and become part of this coalition, or at the very least to follow its own course along the same general lines.
If they blindly just ignore all the facts, forecasts and remedies, then they will be seen as one of the largest contributors to the impact of such blind ignorance.
My lifetime of science & business experience convinces me of the issues and I honestly hope the US will too.
6
The saying goes that no man is an island. Let’s hope that Trump’s self proclaimed island is the one eventually buried by the rising sea.
5
Consumer behavior and demand is the bottom line determinant in the fight against climate change. The future is ultimately up to each and every individual consumer - all 8 billion of them.
2
Wow. Reelection is so important that he would sacrifice the future for his own ego.
That actually summarizes his presidency.
How sad if the electorate falls for it.
6
Trump is a threat to civilization. This should be a good enough reason to impeach him.
7
Bad policy, but so irrefutably bad that maybe the silver lining is some Trump voters will wake up. If not and they still vote for this Yo-yo, I give up on the American people.
6
In three years Trump has done more damage to American democracy and our mother earth than any other President in our history
22
Let us all collectively stick our head in the sand. Climate change will go away and fossil fuel will last forever. (There is NO plan B).
4
We have to get rid of this denier who sees Climate Change as non-existent to please his uneducated supporters. And also confirm his own false beliefs.
7
Wirth each and every passing day I despise Donald Trump more and more. I'm 83 years old and will not be directly effected by Trumps stupidity, however I have grand children and great grand children that will be effected in a very negative way.
19
The USA can no longer be considered a super power. A real super power leads the world towards a better future. It is clear trump is lashing out at the world like a petulant child and just wants to drag us backwards. Thanks minions.
10
It makes me feel better to see others are outraged as I am.
I agree we need to vote out the President & those in the Senate; however the root solution is to STOP the donors (Koch brothers?) who get Republicans to agree to not take any action on climate change. This will change things in the political landscape. We can then move forward.
For now we have to go around the administration - buy hybrids or electric vehicles, install solar power in our homes (for those that can of course); take public transportation, push our local & state to reduce their carbon emissions.
7
With Trump charging that global warming is a Chinese plot and his followers echoing similar sentiments, who knew that the US was still a signatory to the agreement?
3
History will remember Trump as the man who expanded the definition of crimes against humanity.
13
You can quit the accord. But, you can't quit the climate.
When Mar a Lago is hopefully soon underwater he might get that.
6
To our egomaniacal chief executive, attention is all that matters.
In our current crisis, the attention President Personality Disorder craves is reelection.
Nothing else matters.
To Donald, human life, the Truth, burning forests, freakish hurricanes, the flooding of Bangkok — none of these trivialities matter.
Reelection is the goal. The only goal. Any price will be paid. Any lie will be told. The Prince of Lies MUST get himself reelected.
The planet itself is not so important as November, 2020. To Trump.
4
Let's hope Mar-a Lago goes six feet under.
6
In the first month of Trump's presidency, he denied the threat of climate change and suppressed the publication of scientific research. His pro fossil fuel agenda is in and of itself sufficient and urgent cause for his removal from office. It should have been done in early 2017.
6
TRUMP is not ALL OF US. He speaks for HIMSELF --- certainly not for ME.
Patricia Colby Nakamura
Hales Corners, Wisconsin
8
This alone merits his defeat next November.
6
As soon as Donald Trump is impeached the better.
Climate extremes are happening all around us.
9
Climate change is real but the response of world leaders is for the most part phoney. The president is a proven liar but in this he is the honest one. They offer empty promises that will not be delivered. With him you know exactly what you're going to get.
2
@Canuck
And? That doesn’t excuse his behavior and terrible policies
1
Mother Earth will take care of the cancer eventually.
9
I’ll take some minor comfort that the sins of our Quisling president will be visited on his children and grandchildren and also all the progeny of the Fifth Column GOP sycophants who are aiding and obeying him to the deterrent of our nation and the world. As for me, I’m of an age that doesn’t matter to me if my fellow humans want to bury their head in the sand. I’ll be gone before our folly becomes evident to all, albeit far too late to do anything about it.
3
If Obama had negotiated a treaty with Senate approval I might be upset. US involvement was not done with the consent of the Senate which are the representatives of the American citizens. The accord was a deliberate end around the Constitution because the Senate was Republican. China being considered a developing country is a joke when it comes to climate change.
3
What can we say? Trump is an ignorant idiot. Our children (I am a very senior citizen) will revile him in future times...someone who diminished their planet, their lives and any possible future. What on earth will it take us to renounce this rush toward oblivion?
5
I am a climate scientist and I am ambivalent about politicians attempting to deny climate change. Put the problem off at your own peril. The planetary-scale physics are clear and simple: increased carbon dioxide in a planet's atmosphere results in increased warming at the surface of that body. One need only look to Venus as a living example of this effect, or look to the correlation between surface temperature on Earth and carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. The difficult questions we as scientists are addressing are the lead times we need to reduce our emissions relative the damage to civilization, including the potential rapidity of the collapse of ice sheets in West Antarctica and Greenland, pinpointing regions of increased water scarcity and extreme weather, and their impact on settlements and ecosystems and hence food availability and trade. The longer we put off solving the problems we need to solve in our production of energy, the more expensive it will be. Security threats will evolve from emerging destabilization, and we will pay a bigger price. We have now reached the short timescales of climate change that young politicians entering legislatures around the world will have shortened careers if they deny climate change.
22
Environmental warfare. Young people better wake up and start voting like their lives depend on it. The Boomers and older generations in this country have failed us.
16
It doesn't really matter. The die was cast some time ago. This decision will simply accelerate the time line. Paris had only a slim chance of achieving its goals, but the absence of the USA means it is a guaranteed fail. I don't believe the trajectory history will change now until there is monumental loss of life. The world now looks for leadership outside the beyond the USA.
4
Full withdrawal does not happen for a year, right about the day of the 2020 election. Why not have an honest, vigorous debate on the issue and subject rejoining Paris agreement to a nationwide referendum which would be a straight up or down vote, with no electoral college distortion, and a clear signal to the GOP that America has had enough of its selfish petulance.
6
It’s just part of overall deregulation policy. On top of corporate welfare, lower taxes - he’s advocating for lax oversight of corporations.
7
The US used to pride itself on leadership and with considerable justification. But that was back in the day when a leader would not ask you to do anything they would not do themselves. Now, sadly, it's more like "what's in it for me" a position embraced by many emboldened by your President. Let's all hope for a change in leadership come 2020 and America can be great again after four years of whatsisname.
12
it seems like a president under investigation for impeachment should not be able to initiate something that would have such long term consequences.
17
@Linda W.:
Unfortunately, such is the way of the world -- especially if you have power and momey. The rest of us shoulder the consequences.
Tragically, the consequences of unfettered Global Warming are utterly agnostic regarding the life forms that will become extinct under the harshness of an eroding atmosphere, rising oceans, and increased heat -- including our own.
That, for the rest of whatever survives after us, wil be poetic justice.
@Linda W So true Linda. Your state is burning but if a town is razed to the ground Trump will get the name wrong. His notion of environmentalism is to rake the forest floor.
2
I have spent the last week watching horrendously destructive fires in Sonoma County, California. The National Forest Service believes that the wildfires in California are largely caused by climate change: our dry season is now two months longer than it used to be, resulting in extreme fire danger. We know climate change is real and devastating. Trump simply doesn't care, and he is incredibly ignorant about climate basics. Americans must do everything in our power to defeat Trump, not just for ourselves, but for everyone on the planet and for future generations. This is a turning point.
19
Worse, trump will deny fema support to CA just to spite a state that doesn’t support him. So be prepared to live in a country where you are treated differently based on where you live .
2
@Kris
Yes, I watch my beloved home state burn and read in the news that Trump is withholding federal aid out of spite.
His childishness and pettiness knows no bounds.
5
Another reason why we need to get Trump out of the Oval Office, either by election or impeachment and removal from office.
13
This kind of unilateral climate vandalism lunacy is why the impeachment should proceed expeditiously. How many other flagrant breaches of sanity and normalcy does America have to endure? As an Australian I apologise and express sincere shame that the owner of Fox News is an Australian. Murdoch is backing Trump unconditionally (as you well know) on Fox; though inconsistently... not so much in the Wall St Journal. I am embarrassed to be Australian. Heartfelt apologies. The blatant unprofessional and un American show "The Five" SICKENS me. The presenter described Adam Schiff in his introduction as "shifty Schiff". Imagine is MSNBC or PBS used the term "conwoman Conway" in introducing one of her despicable rants with such an epithet. Flippant Fox isn't even pretending to be a credible news outlet; they smirk as they destroy from within the mighty USA. So sorry about that. I wish I could do something about it. As a foreigner I cannot even donate - not that this rule stops Giuliani and co from (allegedly) soliciting funds from abroad. I am so ashamed and embarrassed to be an Aussie- thanks Rupert.
8
More fake news, we were never in it, it was never ratified by Congress. You cannot withdraw from something you were never part of to begin with.
5
@DG Thanks Idaho - stay hunkered down off the grid
4
Then why does trump have to initiate withdrawal terms. This was agreement that was formed by the leaders of the world. Unfortunately this fake wannabe president wants to take us backwards
2
Everyday is a new outrage! Trumps hatred and envy of Obama is his driving force. I am exhausted, disgusted by the train wreck of a so-called presidency.
13
Not envy. It’s just more goodies for corporations.
If Barron Trump follows the news, he must have heard of Greta Thunberg, who is only three years older than he. She is fighting for her generation's future and save our planet.
We, as adults owe them this obligation. We must do our part and help sustain this planet. What does Barron say about his father's decision?
4
@J. von Hettlingen Ask John Baron- Trump's fake spokesperson; or if not contactable try John Miller.
How intelligent life, having finally appeared on this planet after untold eons, can be so ruthless towards it's home and other living creatures it shares it with is beyond understanding This we've been doing from day one and it now looks like our last day may not be far off. That just one member of this race, so infinitesimally small in the scope of the vast universe is allowed to further it's own demise, and possibly most life on earth, is even more unfathomable.
8
Is it really more profitable to simply pollute to your wallets desire than design your system to limit waste to better service not only yourself, but your immediate family?
I mean really, yes its all about money, but how short term is your thinking, every few seconds?
These are century decisions
3
Who are these people? It’s unbelievable. Doesn’t this man care at all about the future of his grandchildren? The amazing spectacular Trump legacy? It’s beyond comprehension.
5
None of the republicans do. They care only about maximum profit and unfettered power over everyone.
1
LOVE Trump. He's the antidote the world BADLY needed.
The climate alarmists want YOU to take the pain for THEIR beliefs.
Not going to happen.
5
Another page in the book of "do as much damage as possible before I go to jail."
10
@Andrew Despite his being famous he will have to let others take the romantic initiative.
Nothing can save a nation where 40-50-60 percent of its people think someone like Trump is a good idea. Nothing. No change in the electoral college. No getting out the vote. No overturning citizens united. No redistricting. Nothing. A Democrat victory won’t matter. Our nation is fundamentally sick.
10
This is ignorant, arrogant, and dangerous in the extreme. The USA used to be admired around the world, and deserved much of that admiration. It still was during the Obama years. Not so now...but I hope we can turn things around once we get past this shameful disastrous period in American history. The world deserves better from us.
5
It's important to remember that the US benefited greatly economically from cumulative CO2 emitted since pre-industrial, that being nearly twice that of China and more than twice that of the former USSR. As such, the US must be first in line to mitigate this irreversible problem.
7
Another massive blunder by the US government, further eroding its global standing, but not a surprise. Mike Pompeo: "this agreement puts an unfair burden on our economy". Donald Trump: "we have the strongest economy ever". - What's wrong with strong economies shouldering more of the burden? We all share the same planet, so that seems logical. Americans: please do the right thing come November 2020.
12
I read too quickly. Thought it said Trump quits.
17
You live in a wealthy white enclave in the shadow of Newark, NJ. Although your neighbors are mostly Republican, they keep out Trump, along with minorities. Verona is a fantasy world where Trump supporters and the working class do not exist. The fact that you are cut off is no reason to brag.
At some point, you would think The Hague would be taking action.
Against the President of the United States.
For crimes against humanity.
14
This is today's stop on Trump's re-election campaign juggernaut -- tell the poor witless people in the so-called base that he is coming through on his promise to make Earth uninhabitable (for anyone but the super-rich who move into some biosphere and -- I hope -- eat each other). So if you feel that you got a raw deal, and your life isn't what you wished it might be -- take heart! This man is making sure that no one's life will be what they wished, and everyone will be miserable! (Except, of course, the special people who can afford to live in the biodrome....).
6
The imbecile, playing with matches again.
17
It takes a lot of work, skill and perseverance to build up something important. Tearing things down is much easier and faster. E.g., The Temple of Baalshamin in the city of Palmyra, Syria. The temple's earliest phase dates to the late 2nd century BC. On 23 August 2015, ISIS militants detonated a large quantity of explosives inside the Temple of Baalshamin, completely destroying the building.
5
When is trumpies next public appearance; I want to come up there and boo him...................we have all been too civil for too long.
15
Remarkable how much time we have wasted on this. With every Republican administration we throw away another decade and further limit our options.
I believe it was Garrison Keillor who ascribed the main reason for voting for Trump was to irk one’s liberal sister-in-law. When you look at Trump, seemingly working his way down the list of issues that conservatives have railed about for the past several decades, that rings true. And many are out of date, snail daters and “drill, baby, drill!”.
4
““The U.S. approach incorporates the reality of the global energy mix and uses all energy sources and technologies cleanly and efficiently, including fossils fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy,” Mr. Pompeo said.” All this misuse of the English language in descriptive terms means one thing. Abject denial of the realities of global warming for the purpose of capitalistic enrichment of the polluters.
11
Do the sky is falling brigade expect to be taken seriously when they fly to Paris instead of having a teleconference? It's like Al Gore with his Mcmansion that is 5 or is 10 times the size of the average US house.
8
Because Al Gore has a large house he can’t be an advocate for climate change?
1
When the rest of the world has air as clean as the US we'll talk.
4
Lol you’re in CA. What are you saying about clean air??
2
The US ranks 7th in the world on air quality. Every nation above that ranking has signed the Paris Accord. Time to start talking.
10
The relatively small number of comments here suggests that NYTimes readers are not nearly as concerned about the Paris Agreement or even the hysterical fears of climate change true believers as we might otherwise think.
3
And that is a big mistake.
2
@ehillesum Or maybe it means you posted your comment before the Times caught up with its backlog of commenters, as happens sometimes.
3
@Bill Camarda. Good point. I was expecting to see 2000+.
“The U.S. approach incorporates the reality of the global energy mix and uses all energy sources and technologies cleanly and efficiently, including fossils fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy,”
Talk about about being out of reality. Sounds like the right wing medial alternative reality universe is where Mike Pompeo now resides. Only in that universe is there such a thing as clean fracking, clean coal burning, and clean tar sands oil.
7
This delusion of worthiness by those who
report that diplomats "plot to save the accord"
is nothing more than the same type of delusions of those
who tried to find hope in the failure of this country
to join the League of Nations to help save
Europe from itself post ww1.
An international effort to forestall our wallowing/drowning/suffocating in the debris of the catastrophes we ourselves are responsible for creating is no longer in the cards, given
how many developing nations are as interested in wreaking havoc in releasing co2 for the sake of national glory as is any oil company executive for the sake of maintaining market share and growing the bottom line. China, India,
Brazil, Indonesia et al are not at all concerned to replicate
the West in its growth at any cost strategy of national
economic performance.
It is tragic. It is abominable. But it is manifestly clear.
Still, for the sake of moral clarity, every democrat candidate
for any federal or state position, should begin his/her
campaign speech with the number of days left before
this country walks away, head high and tail tucked behind,
from its own responsibilities.
But what really can one expect from a society in which
the sense of personal responsibility is best expressed within the personal behavior of its dear leader,
who never ever finds anything blameworthy in his
own perfect behavior. 40+% of the voting
population is perfectly in sync with this interpretation
of "personal responsibility".
5
NDA's? For federal employees? This is shocking. Any federal employee who handled classified materials had an obligation to protect those materials. But an NDA? Has the federal government become another Trump enterprise?
3
So we need to elect a new President the day before this year-long exit process concludes.
3
The Trump presidency is the great last salvo of the Baby Boomer Generation to do as much damage as possible to future generations.
4
@JP
The millions of Americans born 1946 through 1964 are NOT, generally speaking, in sync with Trump. His ignorance, and the damage he does with it, are entirely his own.
JP, there ARE simple answers to complex problems, however those answers are usually incorrect. Tying Trump’s devastating stupidity to his generation is nonsense.
3
@Tom W I was speaking about the generation as a whole and the sum results of their political leadership, not just Trump who the Baby Boomers voted for overwhelmingly, though. The Baby Boomers AKA the "Worst Generation" will go down in history as having taken over some of the greatest geopolitical and economic advantages from the "Greatest Generation" and then turning those advantages into severe burdens for future generations. The Baby Boomers are responsible for saddling future generations with significant debt by funneling wealth to themselves, an out of control military industrial complex with now near permanent war, the ineffective war on drugs that produced a prison industrial complex and the highest incarceration rate in the world largely skewed towards minorities, the gutting of public education (which may be partly responsible for current voting trends), completely ineffective responses to the warnings of science regarding climate change, etc. Need I go on? History will be unkind to the Boomers as they have saddled their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with significant burdens.
1
I beg your pardon. I'm a baby boomer and fully support the Paris accords and more. Please don't lump us all in one pile.
3
I suggest that Trump quit his office of President since all he does is tweet and campaign with smears and innuendos in his rallies. He has no qualifications and even less knowledge to take our country out of the Paris climate accords and thus harm the future of our country and the world. He needs to be removed from office forthwith, face justice for his crimes and ridicule for his deplorable denial of climate change.
He is worse than a fraud. He is a man bereft of decency and intellectual honesty. He is truly a deplorable model for our children and a demagogue who is averse to the truth and to scientific facts. He reminds me of the tyrants who in the 1930s strutted the world stage and left the world in chaos and devastation.
6
The only realistic strategy of getting out of the way of global warming is to recognize that we are overpopulated and growing.
Let’s strive to reduce population somehow back down to 5 billion and our problems are taken care off.
Today it does not matter what Europe or the USA does in a Sisyphean effort to reduce global warming, nothing will work unless we throttle human explosion.
No one will touch this third rail unless we are all brushed as racist proposing it. Thus full steam ahead with useless efforts.
3
It is time for the signatories to the Climate agreement to impose a climate tax on all goods and services provided by non-signatories. If Trump cares so little for the future of the planet, let him, and us by unfortunate circumstance, bear the brunt of our selfish and technologically foolhardy decisions. Nero is fiddling in the While House while the temperature rises!
3
Don’t have your head in the sand, where most of the signatures are countries receiving a net payout from the Europeans and potential USA citizens. Very BIG DEAL to sign up to something where you get FREE money, these countries have absolutely no skin in the game, wake up already.
1
"world's largest economy" it says.
Well, that's true. But the "accord" is already without the
"the world's largest intentional replacer of that economy".
i.e. China, which EXPLICITLY proposes to deamatically increase
CO2 emissions.
The left wing radicals such as the NYTimes discount that.
So Trump is exactly correct: call their bluff.
Also ... its simply a misnomer to say that we ever were "in"
since it was never ratified by the Senate.
3
@Doug McDonald Ok, how about submitting the withdrawal to the Senate?
1
Trump represents a clear and present danger to our fragile planet. He must be defeated and we must restore common-sense environmental regulations. California governor Gavin Newsom said it quite succinctly: If you are a climate change denier, you do not belong in the conversation.
3
@treabeton
Which is precisely why Trump is withholding federal aid to California. This is all about his hatred of Gavin Newsom.
Y'all love it in mines, I bet. But, why ask that here? King Coal might be dying, but King Trump ain't.
1
While many voters may want to help the poor nations of the world get out of poverty, allowing China to be classified as a 3rd world country with no UN restrictions on emissions will not sit well with the public....Even what they agreed to in Paris does not reduce their emmisions...So just how is a binding climate treaty ever going to be ratified by the Senate? Our citizens won't want to suffer income loss when the worlds biggest polluter and our biggest economic competitor does not agree to reduce emissions....An executive order banning drive thru fast food windows would be more useful. It seems that even liberals and green activists can't get out of their cars to get their food! God knows how much emmisions could be avoided by just that simple step. But even that easy obvious step would be hard fought. To park, turn the car off and go inside to get your food is way too much suffering for our citizens to endure..It might be raining. They'd have to walk a few hundred feet and carry the food back. And they'd have to stand around while they waited rather than sit in the car with the engine running, air conditioning on playing with their phone....That's too much too ask of our citizens...Good luck on that gas tax too. Worked out great, for a few weeks, in France!...I advise that citizens should move away from the coasts if you're concerned about climate.Move to the south. Oddly it's actually cooler there than in 1879....And quit using drive up windows unless your on a bike!
5
The timing.
He is doing this right now to “shore up his base”.
This awful, awful act.
A plague on him and his house.
5
This policy position is absolutely the dumbest thing that Trump, as well as his supporters, are doing to the United States and the world. I wonder if the parents/grandparents of half of the American voters who voted for Trump are comfortable with having their little ones not having air to breathe in the latter days of their lives? I cannot conceive of the stupidity of these actions against preparing for Climate Change and how to avoid some of it.
2
Great news! The last thing the US needs is to be part of a "climate change" group foisted on us by a bunch of hypocrites who jetsetted to Paris instead of having a teleconference.
But a teleconference is not as fun as a week long party in Paris.
6
I can’t think of a better reason to fly in an airplane than to go to a meeting designed to alter the course of our extinction.
4
@Richard Stratton
Have you ever heard of leading by example? Teleconferencing would have done that.
Will this goof be able, one day, to do just one thing right? Just one?
1
"Who needs a livable planet?!", asked the Republican while laughing hysterically.
6
The Industrial Revolution occurred at a snail's pace compared to the changes we're now experiencing. Today's accelerators - technology, globalism - are all but unmanageable. Trump is incapable of addressing anything so complex, so like all autocratic Luddites he finds comfort in denial. He is also a nihilist who will take us all down with him, if he can.
3
I'm both heartsick and appalled by this (although we knew it was coming). The evidence that the planet is warming, that humans are causing it, and that it is causing harm to us is simply overwhelming - and beyond dispute among scientists.
To ignore this evidence is massively stupid - I can think of no other appropriate adjective.
Of all the damage Trump has done to this country, ignoring the dangers of climate change is the worst: the irreparable effects will cascade for generations.
A scientist
6
We do not need to hear how the US is imperiling the world because it left the Paris Climate Accord, an agreement that requires the US to make immediate changes while allowing China and India (amongst others) to continue its pollution of the world until it makes significant changes by 2030 (?) When a revised agreement is made that is more beneficial to the US economy, I certainly will be on board with it. So will President Trump.
4
We should all agree refrain from further talking about Trump's decision and focus instead on giving voice to local, national and internationanal efforts to limit global warming. And, if we're in the market for a new or used car, buy a model from one of the manufacturers working with, not against California.
4
The Paris Agreement is at best a nice notion. Get 200 countries to agree to limit greenhouse gas emissions. But, with no incentives and no penalties it was bound to fail which it has. Emissions have increased since the Agreement was signed. China, the worst offender, is not even obligated to curb emissions. Nor is India, another gross offender. The EU has given China "millions of dollars" to aid in emissions control? Try "billions" or "trillions" to be effective. Whether you're a believer or not makes no difference. This was a failed idea from the get go.
7
Doing nothing at all is much worse than doing something. Agreed, China and India have to see reason and understand they have global responsibilities. The best way to do is to set a positive example. Trump’s action is a great leap backward. It may well herald a decisive step towards irrevocably ruining our planet.
3
@Costa Botes You missed my point. The Paris Agreement is doing nothing because it's not effective. Emissions are still increasing at rates similar to before the pact was agreed to, over three years ago. It has no backbone, no enforcement, no reward. If we want to get serious about climate change we have to do a lot more than shake hands in agreement to make it go away and then doing nothing, which is what most of the countries, including China and India are doing.
4
The US, a third world country now. worst pollution record on the planet. No clean air, water thank you trump and pompeo, I hope that the checks you receive from oil and gas and coal sustains your retirement in prison when impeachment arrives on your doorstep.
first of all, these people, trump and pompeo and mcconnell do not care about the climate for the present and future generations that will suffer the consequences of these decisions.
Only thing left to do is in November 2020 VOTE THEM OUT!
5
If your loved ones were standing in the middle of the road and a semi truck was say, a quarter mile away - would you rush out to save them? Someone rush and stop this fool who became president without knowledge or an inclination to empathize, he is putting my loved ones in jeopardy!
4
There's too many children running riot at the UN. Credible scientists haven't stepped forward. It not possible to take incredible pain on anything other than hard facts.
2
@Outspoken Try reading then--
go to IPCC.ch and download the summaries of the science. There has been a new one coming out at roughly 5-year intervals since 1990.
Credible scientists have stepped forward, but our right wing ignores them. Exxon scientists stepped forward in the 1980's, but were also ignored.
6
@Mitch Lyle Not interested in alarmist left-wing bias. Try harder.
Getting OTHERS to pay the price for YOUR beliefs is NOT going to happen.
Without a quack, the Trump Ducks walk in a row.
4
We knew he was going to do this. So while it's disappointing, it's no surprise especially in light of the positions on global warming which this President and his lackluster administration have taken. But this should also be a clarion call for minimally electing someone else with half a brain (in spite of his claims to the contrary) or at the least, impeachment. While I realize it's in his purview to do this, nonetheless it's a position which is not appreciated by a majority of the population on the most important crisis our nation faces and can do something about.
2
The Democratic nominee should run on the platform that climate change is real and devastating, and that a vote for Trump is a vote against a habitable planet.
13
I’m disappointed because the person with great power yields equally great responsibility. I believe this president “thinks” he’s doing the country a favor but his actions are self serving and even worse, splitting the country apart in a world where news headlines change by the second. We know the drastic effects on climate change to the point that before trump, members of all political parties acknowledged the reality of the planet’s decay (of course some more than others). Clean energy production used to be much more costly back in the day but today economies of scale and costs have brought it down.
My believe (and of course I may be not 100% correct) is that Folks who lost their jobs in traditional energy (ie: coal etc) could try to move to new sectors in renewable energy. I was hopeful Trump would do something like that rather than reverse the clock. Heck even China is moving out of coal why can’t we?
I wish we had a President who was committed to solutions, vs “twitter activism” which honestly isn’t doing much or helping at all.
3
“The United States has been written off in many cases as a partner,” [former special envoy for climate change John Pershing] said. “You just can’t count on them.”
The larger tragedy is surely measured on a global scale, but I am tired to my bones of being represented on the international stage by such weak-minded selfishness.
We should govern for our children--we are accountable for the world we leave them--but the man-child with the wits of a three-year-old, the one we elected president, he believes he's accountable only to himself, and only for his own short-term gains.
Given his underdeveloped intellect, will, and morality, this makes sense. The man-child is scared of being scolded, scared that we won't retweet his tantrums, scared that we won't spoon-feed him praise. And he'll burn the whole world to the ground if that's what it takes to make his fears go away.
We must end this. 2020. 2020. 2020.
7
Just another spiteful decision by a petulant man child.
7
If you haven’t made you go bag yet, do it.
1
Maybe Nancy Pelosi should call Erdoğan and Putin to have a talk with Trump about this.
Seriously. He needs to be managed.
4
It is not Trumps fault. I blame the Electoral College.
2
Hundreds of man-years of effort by 200 countries to address a critical threat wasted with a tweet - with no alternative proposed.
9
In 2017, Donald Trump became aware that President Abraham Lincoln was a Republican. He claimed that “most people don’t know this, but it’s true. Look it up!”
This man will unilaterally decide for the U.S.A. whether climate change is a crisis or a hoax.
No intelligence. No reason, No conscience.
13
And now all Democrats will start talking about the Paris agreement and forget about the release of the impeachment testimony. The narrative will be switched and Trump will solidify the GOP support by focusing on something they care about.
1
Doesn't matter whether Americans voted for the Paris Agreement or not. Americans, like it or not, are part of the world community. The Trump Administrations depravity and craven attitude toward politics and social justice will far outlive Trump and those who serve at his pleasure. Unfortunately, this is cold comfort to the rest of us, who will also outlive the power mongers.
7
Environmental policy led by people too old to learn a new way to live on this planet and too old to care what happens. And somehow people are shocked.
5
Not everyone who is “old”. Is unable and unwilling to learn and change. Many of us have grandchildren we love more than life itself and we want them to have a world where they can live and love and follow their wonderful, beautiful dreams. Please don’t close your hope for all of us. Many of us are your allies. It will take people of all ages and all parts of this world to bring about the change that needs to be.
7
Where does Trump excel? Flipping the bird to all - the man has the maturity of a toddler, the intellect of a snail and the soul of a war criminal.
12
By itself, not a catastrophic move. But in concert with Trump's broader agenda of climate denying moves such as suspension of coal mining limits, unleashing of smokestack emissions, and suspending scheduled tailpipe restrictions, you have someone taking us back to the 1950's. Why is Trump tearing down our nation? Could he be an agent of a hostile foreign power?
6
Tariff Man deserves some climate tariffs slapped on US goods to offset unfairly lower energy, emission and pollution costs of goods produced by the US and imported by responsible countries.
6
In a way I couldn’t have imagined until recently, I have come to appreciate that the selfish, ignorant & colossal failure of an administration has revealed the nation to itself - destructive, short-sighted & soon to be extinct.
My only enduring sadness is we’ll take the rest of humanity and what’s left of the biosphere with us.
8
No one is so lost and uncaring as to deserve Trump as president of their country.
4
@MJM
I sincerely appreciate your thoughtful comment.
Though I speculate, if any nation in history deserves such a despot, we’d surely be on the shortlist for sealing the biosphere’s fate with our consumption of ancient sunlight.
China takes a lot of rightful blame for their recent & current consumption, but we’ve been at it harder for far longer.
By any scientifically robust measure, we own the foundation of runaway climate disruption through our willful ignorance of fossil fuel usage and its long-established, proven, link to the lethal greenhouse effect.
Every democrat can totally run on re-joining. Only an idiot would opt out of saving the planet.
10
Irresponsible. But expected
5
So he says American locations should "come before France." He really believes the Paris Agreement is just for Paris! No, it was signed in Paris. I suppose he also believes the Geneva Convention was just to help Switzerland! What an idiot. He just doesn't want to do it because Obama signed it. Who on earth voted for this half wit??
17
That ignoramus Trump must go. Impeach him. He is a catastrophe for our country and for the world.
10
It is sad that our President is a member of a minority of science deniers. His belief in this anti-science is going to harm our country and many others.
5
Trump seems to be motivated more by the desire to deregulate than by denial of climate change. That would be defensible if the private sector took on the challenge and assumed leadership. And by the private sector, I don’t mean just Exxon. There’s Greenpeace, the solar industry and you and me.
But don’t get starry-eyed. Nothing as big as climate change has ever been beaten back by a popular movement. It is incumbent upon Republicans to acknowledge that the private sector, however efficient and however much under attack, lacks the tools to solve the biggest challenges.
That’s not calling for a big change in Republican thinking. We get income inequality for sure. You get what farmers grow, how much most stuff costs, and how much to offer company stock at. Greenpeace gets to decide its priorities. You and me get to decide pretty much whatever relates to us.
But it is non-negotiable. We get climate change because only the government can pull it off.
I have defended the Man in Office on a number of issues - his temperate foreign policy, mostly; I have written his disinclination to make war is the best thing about him.
His climate policy, on the other hand, is manifestly the worst thing about him, and it is truly terrifying. But in this, he is only currying favor with his oligarch masters. He was very certain, in his first term, to signal to the monied powers that he was their man, even as he pledged to be the defender of the working white poor. Prior to his election, the super rich were afraid he actually meant it. But his tax policy, and his program to dismantle all environmental regulations, were entered as exhibits A and B of his fealty to the interests of his wealthy fellows. These policies and others removed their reservations; and their firm support of him is the reason no Republican will ever get on board with the impeachment, unless he perpetrates some truly heinous blunder.
Meanwhile, California is in flames, and the water - the little left that is unpolluted, is drying up. California can burn up, as far as the Administration is concerned, they had the gall to defy Himself on emission regulations. And as for water, there will always be plenty at Mar-a-Lago, at least until the thirsty poor storm its gates.
2
What is he thinking? This man has no moral compass, no comprehension of the science that any middle schooler understands, no concern for the future of humanity. Any person with a heart and an ability to think rationally about the future must resist this immoral position.
7
It takes a special kind of evil to kill an entire planet for profits. Of all the disgusting things Trump and his minions have done, this is the darkest and most callous.
He has children and grandchildren. Does he think that because they are rich they can make their own air, water and land? Of course not, because he forgot how to think decades ago.
Our poor planet! Contribute to Sierra Club, NRDC, Environmental Defense Fund, League of Conservation Voters, Greenpeace and Earth Justice. PLEASE help our beloved blue green orb.
6
The NY Times should have prepped an article to run at the same time as the USG notice to the UN, explaining that measures that signatories take under the Paris Agreement are voluntary, etc.
The USG is still a party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, even though we never adhered to the convention's Kyoto Protocol. A year from now, the USG will, I guess, be relieved from the burden of sharing information on the Paris Agreement's reporting calendar, regarding what's happening in the U.S.
The idea that this, by itself, affects Pittsburgh is the purest fantasy. Symbolism is nice, but it's what we and other countries actually do that counts. The world will know even without periodic "Nationally Determined Contributions" documents from the USG.
2
Not voting has consequences that can't be revoked. As California burns our President wants to pull out of this agreement?.As Trump makes us look more and more like clowns to the world his support is steadfast with his base? We need to accept that almost half of our population really could care less being in the clown car of the world as long as Trump is driving. We need to vote like we never have before in 2020. Greed will kill you but absolute greed will kill us all.
7
Dear Ms. Friedman, do you not know how economies are measured against each other? It is based on Purchasing Power Parity.
So, the most powerful economy is not out of the Paris Climate Accord. China surpassed the US in 2017 in economic power. The largest economic power is still in the accord and seems to be able and willing to contribute financially and socially.
3
We live in a country where 40% of our 'citizenry' emboldens this pathological kink in history. And a hole (sic) party embraces him for their own skins, thin as they are. Rule of law and truth are falling by the tyrannical wayside.
I have never thought about departing the shores that my father fought for in WW2, but it's getting very difficult to justify.....
8
Classic picture that says it all: Trump walking away, it's all the man knows how to do. Would that he would leave the Presidency with as much alacrity as he does international agreements. Please, the door already.
8
This is unthinkable. A malicious, and gratuitous obscenity. The depth of his casual evil can't be plumbed.
19
Advantage: Putin.
6
Ok NOT Boomers : if THIS doesn’t motivate you to actually VOTE, Nothing will.
Just saying.
11
How Republicans can support this man and his damaging policies is beyond sad, it's destructive to the future of their children. They are reprehensible and need to be held accountable at the polls.
10
Why isn't Congress holding hearings about Trump's reversal of the one global intervention that the world as a whole applauds and history will celebrate as a political tipping point for global cooperation and survival?
America once was the bright light of freedom and democracy before Trump turned it into darkness and despair. With the urgency heretofore reserved for war Obama rallied nearly all nations into an unprecedented coalition pledged to ameliorate catastrophic carbon emissions already disrupting weather systems and food production.
Trump in his compulsive cynicism and criminal narcissism resents Obama's heroic accomplishment and will out of spite stop at nothing to tear it down, despite the climate treaty having been ratified by Congress and strongly supported by numerous forward-looking states and cities. Even the Pentagon is on board as a matter of national security and future strategy.
While we have no idea what other criminal and impeachable offenses will crawl out when Trump's rock is turned over, his brazen rejection of science and global consensus is an abdication of America's responsibilities as the most powerful nation in the world.
Impeach him for extortion, bribery, financial corruption, incompetence, savaging the Constitution -- and everything else that defines high crimes and misdemeanors.
But let's not forget Trump's one crime against humanity, earth and the future that history can never forgive.
11
Time for the rest of the world to take action and isolate the US. Maybe restrict US imports by 25%, or just get together in a G19 (no UDA) and decide what exports to stop completely. I'm very tired of the irresponsible USA - they blame it on Trump - but it's not like an other American is doing anything about it. I guess the rest of the world myst make it hurt to get attention in the Greed Economy.
7
The upside is that his Mar-A-Lago fortress will be under water that much sooner.
9
VOTE!! VOTE!! and work hard to get others to the polls. Whichever Democrat wins the election should be the choice of every thinking American including every parent or grandparent. We must continue to work and work hard to save our planet. We do not have the luxury of indulging in despair or inaction. Now is the time--not next year but now. Write, register voters, talk about climate change to everyone you know. It appears that this next election is the last chance we have to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
6
“To plot a way forward without the worlds largest economy” paying for rest of the slackers who’s done no where near what the US has already done.
China?
India?
If the UN and the Euro climate radicals stood up to those biggest offenders then let’s talk.
UN wants our money and backbone.
Sorry that ship has sailed.
Move on, grifters.
1
Seia—
Your reaction is a totally convenient cop-out! Of all the carbon floating in the atmosphere, I wonder what percentage comes from the USA. Given our sprawl and propensity to build free-standing structures exposed to the elements on all four sides, I bet we’d be astounded to learn the answer!
Never mind that for so long we were a world leader. One can only lead by example. This is unmitigated greed. Pure and simple. And we’ve just removed China and India’s incentive to play along. I guess we’ll all just take our marbles and go home. Pity the poor children.
1
Trump fights with all his might against all human and other life on Earth.
4
Of all the many bad decisions by President Trump, this is probably the worst.
5
This fills me with anger and shame for this country. There are few actions by the Trump regime that surprise or truly disgust me anymore (mainly out of numbness) but this is one. As any thinking person can understand, it's not just Americans who will suffer as a result of it.
Is this the absolute worst thing Trump has done? It certainly makes the top 5 in my book.
8
I voted for him, I have a lot of remorse. Anyone who doesn't see climate change as an issue is misinformed and sorry to use the word stupid. Unfortunately this is a problem for "future generations". Cool, leave the world worse than the way you came.
5
Thank you Mr. Trump! This was/is a sham, as is man-made climate change. We must divorce ourselves from the tainted science and agenda-driven climate alarmist's and become climate thinkers. https://youtu.be/cVkAsPizAbU
1
@Brian Tripp I’m a physicist. My laws can beat up Trump’ laws, and they will. You’re following a crackpot.
4
This decision will open us up directly to lawsuits from parts of the world that are being slowly turned uninhabitable by climate change. Hopefully this decision will be reversed when a new president is elected next fall.
9
@USA Too:
Every day when I awaken I say a prayer that somehow a miracle will occur that will restore to sanity the hordes of blind Trump supporters. I do the same when going to bed.
Tragically, the reality on the ground is that the Cretin-in-chief may well be reelected (barring a successful impeachment, which isn't going to happen given the Senate's sickening fealty to Party rather than Nation.
This dismantling of the absolutely critical Global Warming pact will, quite literally, seal our doom as a viable species on this tiny, fragile blue orb that is our planet.
And just WHY is the buffoon doing this? Because of the worship of Money. Since when do finances trump (pardon the ugly term) ongoing EXISTENCE? I was taught, many, many years ago by my conservative grandparents that "you can't take it with you."
When as a species we've elevated monetary wealth over sheer existence, we've truly made Money our God . . . and this paper god can't save us from ourselves.
The verdict's in: we're not such an intelligent species afterall.
Sad. Bigly sad.
1
The sad fact is that our federal government is owned by fossil fuel bandits.
Luckily, we don’t need the federal government to take the lead on this. Our states, cities and major corporations are responsible for the overwhelming volume of emissions decisions, so they can collectively stop or slow that down.
Furthermore, the largest economies among the states are the most amenable to doing their part. We can also boycott products and services from regions that don’t contribute to this effort. We have the means to do it regardless of what this backward administration says.
8
@Jazz Paw
"The sad fact is that our federal government is owned by fossil fuel bandits."
Too true...a decade ago, the GOP candidates actually acknowledged AGW to a small extent. The oligarchy came in with their marching orders and the GOP has been following like good little sycophants denying any existence of AGW with childish rants.
The only good new is that they will all be wrong for gazillions of years.
1
No president should have the power to enter or exit treaties. It should be left up to Congress.
12
@N
Sure. What are the chances that your position on this issue "evolves" if the Dems wins the Presidency in a year, but the Reps maintain control of the Senate.
1
@N Exactly. If Obama didn’t have the political capital to ratify this as a treaty in the Senate then he should not have unilaterally agreed to the accord. So too with Trump - his walk back is only as good as him getting re-elected. When each side plays to their extreme bases then noting is durable.
2
will this be the catalyst that takes down Trump and Pompeo, it is with dismay that the US who under every other President was a strong global voice has now been diminished to a whimper by Trump and his administration. One must realize that all-natural disasters happening throughout the world is an event that can only be explained by climate change as much as one would like to entertain another entity be it, God or Aliens, you need to realize there is something very real happening that is truly devastating. There seems to be the common thought that Trump supporters also are in denial of Climate Change are they or are they more afraid to say opposite in their communities, At least their voice will be heard in the secrecy of the ballot box. Hopefully, Trump will be defeated and there will still be time for the strength of the US to come back and undo the terrible misdeed caused by a President who only sees how he can benefit, If I were to hazard a guess Trump, Kushner, many of his cabinet have silent underlying investments in many of the Executive orders that are being canceled. for the non-believers what will happen within the next twelve months that will finally make you aware that the world which to my understanding still contains the United States is in crisis, when your food supply, your electrical and heat systems begin to falter, when tornadoes, hurricanes, sudden out of control fires become the norm, not just in the southern parts of the country but in Trump Country.
2
What needs to leave—
Is Trump, to go south for the winter, permanently! And he can be arrested there at Mar-a-Lago.
8
Wonderful!
Thank you all you Bernie Bros.
Thank you all you blind Warren supporters.
Thank you all you Democrats who think that nominating a leftist candidate with "BIG" ideas can sane this country -- naive you.
If only those idealistic Democrats would wake up and realize that the Electoral College is a reality and that their idealism doesn't work outside of their own echo chamber.
4
@rumcow
"Blind Warren supporters"? 'What about' gullible Biden supporters, or gullible democrats eager to toe the party line?
@Fran
You can post here all the expected leftist talking points, as you have.
This election is about getting rid of TRUMP.
Idealism and wish-lists will not not work.
This is a reality check moment.
7
@rumcow
"This election is about getting rid of Trump."
OK, but then we have to replace him; that means we have to be careful when choosing the next president. Elizabeth Warren is my first choice, but I would also vote for Bernie Sanders. Biden, never. The others? I do not know yet; however, I believe Warren will be both the nominee and our next president.
Based on what you just wrote, I naturally assume that you, too, will vote for her after she is nominated -- or will you pout, stay home, and let the world blame you for giving us another four years of Trump?
4
It really doesn't matter if I'm for or against this. A believer or a denier. I never voted for the Paris Agreement neither did the American people. The Paris Agreement was an Executive Order by President Obama. The President of the United States should not have this far reaching power without consent of the American people. We do not elect Kings or dictators in this country. If it needs to be done put it through Congress.
150
@JoeG Your quibble is with the Senate Majority Leader, the real king or dictator in this country.
325
@JoeG But I am guessing that you don't mind Trump withdrawing from it unilaterally very like a king would. How about all the other king like unilateral decisions the mighty emperor Donald 1st makes?.
You say "I never voted for the Paris Agreement neither did the American people." So does that mean that every decision made should be voted for or against?
You are arguing process over substance. Are you fine with the USA being the only country on the planet to withdraw Joe? As Leadbelly might say "if you ever go to Houston, you'd better think (sic) straight".
294
@JoeG What gives American voters the right to make this decision? Have the rest of the world or future generations been consulted on whether the United States should ruin the climate?
308
Trump's environmental "policies" strike me as sheer nihilism. I wonder what made this man so destructive and created a spiritual hole inside him that all the world's oceans, even fed by melting glaciers, couldn't fill.
7
This exit was what Trump promised during his campaign. He kept his promise.
2
@novoad
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
Would you like to see the list of people who went broke waiting for Trump to keep a promise?
1
Trump signs the world's death warrant. Time for 25th Amendment action. How such a destructive imbecile could have been the choice of 63 million voting idiots is still amazing to any thinking person. How anyone can still support him after two years of disaster is just plain treason.
11
Easily reversible.. since it takes a year... just vote the nut out of office in next years election.
If you are concerned about climate change at all.. this should be a no brainer for you... VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10
If only we could direct all the effects of global warming towards Mar y Lago.
3
One stupid harmful thing after another. Is this guy in Big oil's pocketbook or what? This is just a ploy to get the greedy freaks to contribute to his re election and all their destructive idea's. Who cares about the planet when there's money to be made.He's gotta go and soon. He needs to be thumped if we can even make it to the next election. It's also a shiny object to distract from impeachment. Republicans morons are the only ones in the world to not believe in man made climate change. Tell that to your kids when they get sick, that you did nothing to prevent this....a word that can't be printed.....from destroying everything good.
5
He looks like a Cossack in the front page photo by the helicopter.
2
It seems there ought to be a class action lawsuit against Trump for endangering the health and well being of the very citizens of the country he has sworn to protect and uphold. The safe and sound existence of this country depends om the health and well being of our citizens..
5
Fiddling while Rome burns. Climate-changing emissions area natural products of animal existence. The actual cause is not coal, nor oil, usw. Those are mechanisms that create the effect produced by the root cause: Overpopulation. We are at a world population of over 12 billion, doubled since the 1970s, with minimal reduction in its growth in the last decade.
But people -- individuals -- will not stand for regulated reproduction. And without that: mankind -- indeed, all animals but for cockroaches -- is doomed.
So go ahead, spend money on electric vehicles (whose recharge power comes from . . .?), solar panels (and at night?), battery farms to span the nighttime that themselves require the expenditure of massive amounts of energy in their creation, etc., etc. Feel good about yourselves, you are doing your part, yes?
If you had more than one child: You already did your part, irrevocably. Driving a Tesla doesn't compensate for your selfishness. (And yes, I've practiced what I preach. Deliberately, not due to any infertility.)
2
Now a full-time resident of Florida, Donald Trump will have a front row seat to view the effects of the overheated climate he's just guaranteed the world will be subjected to. His own front lawn at Mar-a-Lago by the rising seas will be under water in his lifetime. The entire barrier island it precariously sits on will be under water by the time Trump's children finally realize what a monster their father truly was.
4
One more way in which Trump cements his legacy as a criminally insane malefactor. This, the behavior towards women, and the toddlers in cages. People will remember those things about Trump, long after everything else has been forgotten.
2
We should just curb emissions anyway. Heck, let’s do it better than whatever requirements we set for ourselves in the agreement. We’d not only save ourselves, but we’d also show the world that this country is much more than the will and whimsy of one guy with a loud mouth and a bad temper, U.S. President or not.
I’m personally trying to move towards that zero-waste thing, where a whole year’s worth of trash fits into a small jar. It would also be nice if all US recycling plants could make raw materials—then we could buy it back from them for use in 3D printers and other things, which would directly benefit local economies.
2
@KN
Have to wonder how many commenters here think absolutely nothing of getting on an airplane for whatever reason, I've noticed the millennials especially seem to think flying wherever is something of a god-given right and while they decry boomers for 'ruining the planet', good luck getting them to moderate their flying habits.
We are really quite far past where most people think we are in terms of accelerating climate change and unless military activities are strongly curtailed I am going to continue driving ten miles into Fairbanks once or twice a week and flying to Seattle once or twice a year. If that's too much CO2 contribution, so be it. One F-35 screaming overhead emits more in 5 minutes than I do in at least a year.
1
The sad part is by the time our oceans rise to an unsustainable and obvious level to prove all these clowns wrong, it will be too late.
Upside is Republicans just made everyone under the age of 25 single issue voters and placed themselves on the opposite side of history.
4
@Nick Amen to that. Their single issue voters are dying off, ours are still being born. From where I stand, it looks like tRump is poisoning the GOP in the long term. Which would be the latest and greatest thing to die after being touched by that man. Hopefully the Earth itself won’t be added to the list.
1
Scrolling past this article on my phone I first read the headline as 'Trump Serves Notice to Quit' - if only.
4
The consequences of this Chinese hoax being perpetrated on the world are "huge." Yes, he knows this entire climate change thing was cooked up in a Beijing think tank. Unbelievably the Democrats fell for it while listening to their CNN fake news nonsense. Rudi Guillani can only do so much debunking, busy as he is with the Bidens in Ukraine, how could he possibly get to the bottom of this conspiracy too? Well at least The Donald's pulling us out of this ridiculous agreement, and one day the Dems will come to their senses and see just how he saved us from this foreign scam.
1
Has there ever been a US President more profoundly ignorant than Trump? He is a semi-literate who can barely read. His narcissism has no bounds and his lack of self esteem is boundless. He has no concept of science, or of geography, or of international finance & business, or of alliances. Trump is incredibly shallow and , mercurial. He is incapable of focusing for longer than in 10 minute thought bubbles. He has surrounded himself with sycophants that are grifters in their own right - Pompeo, Mulvaney, Ross, Mnuchin, Wheeler et al - who echo and reecho all of his nonsensical lies.
3
This man needs to go! What more do we need to see to understand he is the worst person for this position
3
@Rich You’re too easy on him. Trump is one of the worst people. Full stop.
2
Another bad news cycle for trump.. So he starts another dumpster fire ..
4
@paul
The Republican Party should sincerely consider changing their elephant symbol to one of a dumpster fire.
5
Thank's so much. The ugly American, in all his splendor! I can't wait to see Trump's coal-powered cellphone to send tweets on.
11
This move makes the US the most honest signatory to the Paris accords. Only two other countries are remotely close to requirements under the accords yet all continue to dishonestly support this worthless piece of paper.
5
I am in sheer amazement that over fifty million plus adults with children will accept this and not insist on another Republican to lead their party.
Utilitarian philosopher John Stuart Mill — “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.”
6
Anyone who'd give one nanosecond of consideration to NOT voting for the Democratic candidate next year because they might not move fast enough on climate -- when the alternative is Trump stomping on the accelerator in the wrong direction towards the cliff -- is frankly nuts.
Even if it turns out to be someone you and I both think is too friendly to Wall Street.
9
While this idiotic move is incredibly disheartening, it is perhaps more disheartening to know that few countries are on track to meet the Paris accord goals, and none of the G7. Only Gambia and Morocco are on track for the < 1.5 degree goal. I suspect that the 21st century will be that last that has civilization.
3
It won't matter if we were Republicans or Democrats when the water rises and people are dying painful, deaths of poverty. Already we are seeing a poverty of spirit in the American people with a leader who just can't be bothered. When the permafrost melts, the amount of methane that releases will kill all life on the planet. We are at the tipping point and our president is a bought$$$ leader who doesn't care about his people, only his pockets.
6
In other news, New Delhi has had to ration cars because they can't breathe there. Maybe we should send Trump, and his entire administration there, and force them to breathe deeply. No masks. Imagine how many problems that would solve!
3
If you love this county, how can you knowingly take actions which destroy it. My small town in one of many where taxes will soar to try to prevent us from being submerged by 2050. As Bruce Springsteen sang (in the song Nebraska I think), "There's just an evil in this world."
I am still astonished that Democrats want to focus on divisive issues like Medicare for All that will likely lead to Trump's reelection rather than equally or more important issues like climate change that threaten existence if many species, including us, on the planet. Or as Pogo said, "We have met the enemy and they are us."
4
Putin knew exactly what he was doing when he chose Trump to implement the beginning of the end of America as we have known it. Since 1/20/17, because of flaws and red tape in America's system of governing, Trump has obviously exceeded Putin's expectations.
4
When China and India was excused from lowering their emissions and Europe and the USA have to pay them atop of that the Paris agreement was flawed. Excusing almost half of humanity what kind of deal is that.
7
This is great! I switched from voting for Obama to Trump, in Pennsylvania, precisely because of Trump's stance on climate. As a physicist, I checked the climate data...
Let us hope that after Brexit, Boris Johnson does a Clexit too.
2
As a geologist, I did too. And I discovered Trump is an imbecile bent on destroying humanity as we know it. Mother nature always survives. Fragile planetary life, not so much. Here's to you, Trump voters! We who are about to die condemn you in your ignorance.
5
@novoad
... and what did you discover?
P. S. What credentials in physics do you have and from where?
3
When he's gone in a year or less, we will sign back up.
2
More like attacking the climate accord than the trump quitting it. Indeed, trump has America withdraw again in humiliation on the world stage, abandoning allies around the world to face environmental catastrophe without our leadership.
Does trump realize that Putin's Russia is still in the accord? America retreats as Russia expands. How trumpian! How Putin-esque!
3
The ONLY reason Trump did this today is in a (failed) attempt to distract us from all the revelations from the impeachment inquiry that have just come out. Once again he proves to the American People how reckless, selfish, and amoral he is. Every day he spends in office, our beloved country comes closer to dictatorship which he so obviously craves. I have faith that the real leadership of this country will have the wherewithal to block this maniac from pulling out of the Paris Climate accords, and remove the monster from office for once and for all, so that when I have children and my children have children, American Democracy will still stand as a pillar for the world to look up to, rather than an example of a failed state. Warren 2020 btw ;)
1
More distractions for the media to swarm on.
This is a good thing. The US is responsible for less than 15% of global carbon emissions and the biggest polluters like China, India, and Russia had to do nothing. It was purposely setup as global welfare & redistribution of wealth.
3
@JOSEPH
You forget the voluntary measures by china, and that they’re ahead of schedule.
Evil incarnate.
9
This isn't about Trump, folks. It's Republicans. Bush backed out of the Tokyo Accord. Reagan tore the solar panels off the White House. This is about Republicans who as a political party support Exxon, BP, and the rest of fossil-fuel industrialists who traffic in lies and doubt about climate science because they don't want to give an inch to clean energy. It's just like the tobacco lobby lying about cancer, except instead of people deciding they're going to smoke anyway, and hurting only themselves, Republicans decided they're going to keep on polluting anyway and they're going to back out of climate accords so that we will all suffer. It's not Trump.
16
It's not ALL Trump, but it is Trump.
3
I fully support the POTUS because the accord was just so much virtue signalling. With out the cooperation of the Chinese and the Indians it will mean nothing but using the US as a piggy bank to send UN personal around the world writing reports that no one will ever read. Just a big fat waste of time, and taxpayers' resources. No serious person thinks anything can really change unless the big polluters are reined in, and Paris does NOTHING to change the status quo. Not to mention the wood and dung fires used throughout Africa. We all know about the terrible rape crisis in Africa when woman and girls are sent out to gather fire wood, the UN has reported this story widely. These are the people we should be helping, while looking to China and India for real commitments, not lip service.
6
Fine. So what’s your plan?
2
@sob America is the 2nd largest polluter after China.
4
@sob
So, to sum up. Since we can’t do your ideas we should do nothing,
3
I was about to be highly critical of Trump until I read further in the article. Then I saw that China and India are exempt as developing nations. Combined they have about one third of humanity’s population. Their contribution to greenhouse gasses is off the charts. Developing nations ? China is about to surpass the US economy as the world’s largest. Has anybody been to Shanghai or Beijing lately. Shanghai makes NYC look like a suburb. Developing nation ?!
Without the full participation by China and India, the Paris accord is useless. Might as well try to shovel sand against the incoming tide. Without them, it is an ineffective feel good document which permitsChina and India to warm the planet at their own pace.
The money would be far far better spent on acknowledging the inevitable, and using this country’s vast economic and scientific resources to plan long range. Our capital and know how can certainly develop methods to protect our coastal cities, and/or plan a systematic relocation of immediate coastal residents, using federal funds to build the infrastructure needed Crops can be adjusted to account for or even take advantage of climate change. In California, the hottest, driest areas produce multiple crops per year.
These, and so many more changes we have not yet imagined can protect our global citizens against catastrophe.
Global warming is occurring. Trying to resist it may be futile.
Let's use our resources in ways that can really benefit humanity.
5
@Gino G
If you read the article then you also read that China and India were only participating because the United States was. Now, they might back out too.
3
@Gino G So much for American leadership. Trump drags our country down a couple more notches.
1
And since Trump intimidated the American auto industry into walking back their emissions standards, I will not be buying an American car again.
Way to take yourself out of the future of your own industry, execs.
Way to let Trump talk you into the short-term cop-out.
7
So the can is being kicked a bit further down the road, it appears. With relaxing emissions and fuel economy standards, we're also stepping on the gas pedal.
Buckle your seat belts. If 2020 is Trump 2.0, 2050 will be that much more exciting.
1
As California burns, icebergs melt, sea levels rise, storms rage with ever growing intensity, and homes are already being destroyed by the climate change reality which is moving at an exponential pace, Trump denies, and destroys any hope of America moving forward.
To Trump: Our children's perils will rest on your sorry shoulders. You should be ashamed.
9
Drop out of Climate Accord? Trump, drop out of office before you ruin not only America but the whole world. You can not be so dumb as to really question that negative climate change is a fact. Then again ..... Dump Trump.
8
So, we, us the US will be the first to drown. Other than that, I am too stunned and upset that trump knows nothing about science. I would wager, he got his ideas from the evangelists who are climate deniers waiting for the "end times".
7
This is a wise decision. The US is reducing their CO2 emissions on their own far faster than other countries. This accord is just another UN scheme to redirect money from the wealthy to the poorer countries, but there are far better ways to do it.
2
@Evitzee Wrong on both counts. And pray tell what are the better ways to do it?
5