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| Paris climate agreement: world reacts as Trump pulls out of global accord – live | Paris climate agreement: world reacts as Trump pulls out of global accord – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.48am BST | |
| 02:48 | |
| A group of Filipino activists have protested the then-impending withdrawal of the US from the Paris agreement at the US Embassy in Manila. The Manila Climate Rebel Alliance called for a global stand to be made against “Trump the Hutt and his fellow fossil fuel gangsters”. | |
| Climate Jedis protest at US Emb Manila vs Pres Trump's decision to withdraw from Paris climate accord. Credit: Manila Climate Rebel Alliance pic.twitter.com/xKjKdvo2aC | |
| 2.40am BST | |
| 02:40 | |
| Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has called on Trump to reconsider his decision to leave the Paris accord in a 2.5-minute video: | |
| BREAKING: Arnold Schwarzenegger has a blunt message for Donald Trump. #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/YI8fcxEeox | |
| “One man cannot destroy our progress. One man can’t stop our clean energy revolution. And one man can’t go back in time. Only I can do that. ... | |
| “Mr President, I know that it can be easier and more comfortable to look backwards. ... But some of us know what a clean energy future looks like and it isn’t scary. ... | |
| “The dirty energy future with asthma, emphysema and cancer is much, much more terrifying.” | |
| 2.33am BST | |
| 02:33 | |
| Republican politicians and representatives of the coal industry have cheered Trump’s action. | |
| “President Trump’s courageous decision to exit the Paris Accord recognises that the US is not legally bound to an Obama-era agreement that set unrealistic emissions targets at the expense of billions of American taxpayer dollars without the approval of Congress,” said Texas attorney general Ken Paxton, who joined nine other states in urging Trump to leave the agreement. | |
| AG Paxton Praises President Trump’s Decision to Exit Paris Accord https://t.co/Xf0uR0X9Z2 | |
| Last week, 22 Republican senators had written to the president urging him to “make a clean break” from the Paris deal. The letter was drafted by Wyoming’s John Barrasso, chairman of the Senate committee on environment and public works, and Oklahoma’s Jim Inhofe, a longtime climate change denier and senior member of that committee. | |
| Tom McCarthy and Lauren Gambino of Guardian US have broken down the 22 signatories’ interests in the oil, gas and coal industries and found a sum total of nearly US $10.7m over the past three election cycles. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.35am BST | |
| 2.14am BST | 2.14am BST |
| 02:14 | 02:14 |
| Michael Slezak | Michael Slezak |
| Political scientist Luke Kemp from the Australian National University has argued that not only is the US’ decision to pull out of the Paris agreement not as catastrophic as reported, there could even be some benefits to emerge. | Political scientist Luke Kemp from the Australian National University has argued that not only is the US’ decision to pull out of the Paris agreement not as catastrophic as reported, there could even be some benefits to emerge. |
| One is the possibility for parties to the agreement to develop climate trade measures, such as border tax adjustments that institute a carbon tax on US imports. Similar measures were parts of other international agreements, including the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which successfully reduced the world’s reliance on ozone layer depleting substances. | One is the possibility for parties to the agreement to develop climate trade measures, such as border tax adjustments that institute a carbon tax on US imports. Similar measures were parts of other international agreements, including the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which successfully reduced the world’s reliance on ozone layer depleting substances. |
| Kemp also expressed hope that the withdrawal of the US would motivate other large powers like the EU and China to show stronger leadership – as certainly looks possible from the response of world leaders to Trump’s announcement. | Kemp also expressed hope that the withdrawal of the US would motivate other large powers like the EU and China to show stronger leadership – as certainly looks possible from the response of world leaders to Trump’s announcement. |
| But the risk of the US sabotaging action on climate change from outside the Paris agreement – for example, by cancelling climate financing for the developing world – certainly remains. Writing in The Conversation, Kemp concludes: | But the risk of the US sabotaging action on climate change from outside the Paris agreement – for example, by cancelling climate financing for the developing world – certainly remains. Writing in The Conversation, Kemp concludes: |
| Wanting the US to remain is a short-sighted, knee-jerk reaction. The international community should be much more worried about the real domestic actions of the US, rather than whether it is symbolically cooperating internationally... Policy, not participation, needs to be the focus of criticism. Otherwise Paris will prove itself to be nothing more than a diplomatic fig leaf | Wanting the US to remain is a short-sighted, knee-jerk reaction. The international community should be much more worried about the real domestic actions of the US, rather than whether it is symbolically cooperating internationally... Policy, not participation, needs to be the focus of criticism. Otherwise Paris will prove itself to be nothing more than a diplomatic fig leaf |
| 2.07am BST | 2.07am BST |
| 02:07 | 02:07 |
| Trump's full speech on dumping of 'Draconian' accord | Trump's full speech on dumping of 'Draconian' accord |
| “As president, I can put no other consideration before the wellbeing of American citizens. The Paris climate accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries, leaving American workers – who I love – and taxpayers to absorb the cost in terms of lost jobs, lower wages, shuttered factories, and vastly diminished economic production.” | “As president, I can put no other consideration before the wellbeing of American citizens. The Paris climate accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries, leaving American workers – who I love – and taxpayers to absorb the cost in terms of lost jobs, lower wages, shuttered factories, and vastly diminished economic production.” |
| You can read Trump’s speech in full here. | You can read Trump’s speech in full here. |
| Updated | |
| at 2.34am BST | |
| 2.03am BST | 2.03am BST |
| 02:03 | 02:03 |
| Michael Slezak | Michael Slezak |
| Amid all the doom and gloom, it’s worth noting not all environmentalists think Trump’s withdrawal from Paris is so bad for the world. | Amid all the doom and gloom, it’s worth noting not all environmentalists think Trump’s withdrawal from Paris is so bad for the world. |
| It’s undoubtedly a hit for US credibility in future international agreements, but political scientist Luke Kemp from the Australian National University published an analysis in the journal Nature Climate Change just last week arguing the world is better off with a Trump-led US out of the agreement. | It’s undoubtedly a hit for US credibility in future international agreements, but political scientist Luke Kemp from the Australian National University published an analysis in the journal Nature Climate Change just last week arguing the world is better off with a Trump-led US out of the agreement. |
| In a nutshell, Kemp’s argument is that Trump can do more damage to international climate action from within the agreement than he can outside of it. The US was likely to increase its emissions regardless of whether it remained in the agreement, he says – especially now that Trump abandoned Obama’s Clean Power Plan. | In a nutshell, Kemp’s argument is that Trump can do more damage to international climate action from within the agreement than he can outside of it. The US was likely to increase its emissions regardless of whether it remained in the agreement, he says – especially now that Trump abandoned Obama’s Clean Power Plan. |
| Paris may forfeit legitimacy due to the loss of a major emitter, but it is equally likely that its legitimacy would have been grievously injured by the US blatantly violating the spirit and purpose of the agreement. | Paris may forfeit legitimacy due to the loss of a major emitter, but it is equally likely that its legitimacy would have been grievously injured by the US blatantly violating the spirit and purpose of the agreement. |
| 1.58am BST | 1.58am BST |
| 01:58 | 01:58 |
| Hillary Clinton: decision to pull out 'a historic mistake' | Hillary Clinton: decision to pull out 'a historic mistake' |
| Echoing the earlier criticism of her husband, Hillary Clinton has tweeted her condemnation of Trump’s decision, calling it a “historic mistake ... [that] leaves American workers & families behind”. | Echoing the earlier criticism of her husband, Hillary Clinton has tweeted her condemnation of Trump’s decision, calling it a “historic mistake ... [that] leaves American workers & families behind”. |
| A historic mistake. The world is moving forward together on climate change. Paris withdrawal leaves American workers & families behind. | A historic mistake. The world is moving forward together on climate change. Paris withdrawal leaves American workers & families behind. |
| Clinton has been increasingly vocal in her criticism of Trump as she ramps up her public appearances after several months of laying low following her bruising defeat in the presidential election last year. | Clinton has been increasingly vocal in her criticism of Trump as she ramps up her public appearances after several months of laying low following her bruising defeat in the presidential election last year. |
| 1.54am BST | 1.54am BST |
| 01:54 | 01:54 |
| Al Gore: withdrawal from Paris agreement 'reckless and indefensible' | Al Gore: withdrawal from Paris agreement 'reckless and indefensible' |
| The former vice-president has released a scathing statement: | The former vice-president has released a scathing statement: |
| Removing the United States from the Paris Agreement is a reckless and indefensible action. It undermines America’s standing in the world and threatens to damage humanity’s ability to solve the climate crisis in time. But make no mistake: if President Trump won’t lead, the American people will. | Removing the United States from the Paris Agreement is a reckless and indefensible action. It undermines America’s standing in the world and threatens to damage humanity’s ability to solve the climate crisis in time. But make no mistake: if President Trump won’t lead, the American people will. |
| “Civic leaders, mayors, governors, CEOs, investors and the majority of the business community will take up this challenge. We are in the middle of a clean energy revolution that no single person or group can stop. President Trump’s decision is profoundly in conflict with what the majority of Americans want from our president; but no matter what he does, we will ensure that our inevitable transition to a clean energy economy continues. | “Civic leaders, mayors, governors, CEOs, investors and the majority of the business community will take up this challenge. We are in the middle of a clean energy revolution that no single person or group can stop. President Trump’s decision is profoundly in conflict with what the majority of Americans want from our president; but no matter what he does, we will ensure that our inevitable transition to a clean energy economy continues. |
| Last week, Gore had said in Cannes there was an “excellent chance” that Trump would surprise many by deciding to stay in the Paris agreement – but even withdrawing would not slow the momentum of the climate movement. He pointed to Atlanta, Georgia’s recent commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2035. | Last week, Gore had said in Cannes there was an “excellent chance” that Trump would surprise many by deciding to stay in the Paris agreement – but even withdrawing would not slow the momentum of the climate movement. He pointed to Atlanta, Georgia’s recent commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2035. |
| He did express concern that other nations might follow suit: | He did express concern that other nations might follow suit: |
| “The Paris agreement has an historic significance of its own. And if the largest economy in the world were to withdraw, it would present a risk that some other countries might use that as an excuse. So it’s important that we stay in.” | “The Paris agreement has an historic significance of its own. And if the largest economy in the world were to withdraw, it would present a risk that some other countries might use that as an excuse. So it’s important that we stay in.” |
| Gore’s new documentary, An Inconvenient Sequel, opened the Sundance festival at the start of this year. | Gore’s new documentary, An Inconvenient Sequel, opened the Sundance festival at the start of this year. |
| 1.44am BST | 1.44am BST |
| 01:44 | 01:44 |
| Elle Hunt | Elle Hunt |
| Thanks Sam – I’m taking over the reins of our rolling coverage of Trump’s Paris Agreement announcement from Australia, where Guardian Australia’s climate blogger Graham Readfearn has joined the global chorus of condemnation: | Thanks Sam – I’m taking over the reins of our rolling coverage of Trump’s Paris Agreement announcement from Australia, where Guardian Australia’s climate blogger Graham Readfearn has joined the global chorus of condemnation: |
| Make no mistake here. | Make no mistake here. |
| The foundation for Trump’s dismissal of the Paris deal – and for the people who pushed him the hardest to do it – is the rejection of the science linking fossil-fuel burning to dangerous climate change. | The foundation for Trump’s dismissal of the Paris deal – and for the people who pushed him the hardest to do it – is the rejection of the science linking fossil-fuel burning to dangerous climate change. |
| Or rather, Trump’s rejection of the Paris deal was built on the flimsy, cherry-picked and long-debunked talking points of an industry built to manufacture doubt about climate science. Once you fall for those arguments, making an economic case suddenly feels plausible. | Or rather, Trump’s rejection of the Paris deal was built on the flimsy, cherry-picked and long-debunked talking points of an industry built to manufacture doubt about climate science. Once you fall for those arguments, making an economic case suddenly feels plausible. |
| 1.23am BST | 1.23am BST |
| 01:23 | 01:23 |
| 'America’s worst-ever president' | 'America’s worst-ever president' |
| The view from some of the Guardian’s opinion writers: | The view from some of the Guardian’s opinion writers: |
| Dana Nuccitelli, environmental scientist and risk assessor, says it “now seems inevitable that the history books will view Trump as America’s worst-ever president”. | Dana Nuccitelli, environmental scientist and risk assessor, says it “now seems inevitable that the history books will view Trump as America’s worst-ever president”. |
| “Given our culpability in creating an urgent world-wide environmental crisis, it was a moral duty to keep our commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius. To walk away is supremely selfish,” writes Jill Abramson: | “Given our culpability in creating an urgent world-wide environmental crisis, it was a moral duty to keep our commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius. To walk away is supremely selfish,” writes Jill Abramson: |
| And David Suzuki on the way Trump’s rationale for abandoning the Paris agreement is outdated and false: | And David Suzuki on the way Trump’s rationale for abandoning the Paris agreement is outdated and false: |
| 1.06am BST | 1.06am BST |
| 01:06 | 01:06 |
| Mexico has stated its “unconditional support for the Paris accord,” saying it “will continue to meet its established goals” for reducing carbon emissions, the AP reports. | Mexico has stated its “unconditional support for the Paris accord,” saying it “will continue to meet its established goals” for reducing carbon emissions, the AP reports. |
| The nation’s foreign relations department said in a statement: | The nation’s foreign relations department said in a statement: |
| Efforts to slow climate change are a moral imperative, because we owe it to future generations.” | Efforts to slow climate change are a moral imperative, because we owe it to future generations.” |
| Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto reiterated his commitment on Twitter: | Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto reiterated his commitment on Twitter: |
| México mantiene su respaldo y compromiso con el Acuerdo de París para detener los efectos del cambio climático global. | México mantiene su respaldo y compromiso con el Acuerdo de París para detener los efectos del cambio climático global. |
| 12.57am BST | 12.57am BST |
| 00:57 | 00:57 |
| The view from New Zealand | The view from New Zealand |
| Eleanor Ainge Roy | Eleanor Ainge Roy |
| Protests are planned in New Zealand where US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has a Wellington visit scheduled next Tuesday. Niamh O’Flynn, executive director of 350 Aotearoa, a climate change group, said: | Protests are planned in New Zealand where US secretary of state Rex Tillerson has a Wellington visit scheduled next Tuesday. Niamh O’Flynn, executive director of 350 Aotearoa, a climate change group, said: |
| Trump is out of step with the rest of the world, and we need to make sure he feels that when his Secretary of State lands in Wellington on Tuesday. People and governments around the world are backing the US into a corner where they the lonely outlier. [Prime minister] Bill English must denounce this move to show whose side we’re on.” | Trump is out of step with the rest of the world, and we need to make sure he feels that when his Secretary of State lands in Wellington on Tuesday. People and governments around the world are backing the US into a corner where they the lonely outlier. [Prime minister] Bill English must denounce this move to show whose side we’re on.” |
| Opposition leader Andrew Little said in a statement: | Opposition leader Andrew Little said in a statement: |
| We can’t now let the USA water down the Paris Accord. Mr Tillerson must be reminded that the world can only combat climate change together and that New Zealand stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other nations which have embraced the challenge. | We can’t now let the USA water down the Paris Accord. Mr Tillerson must be reminded that the world can only combat climate change together and that New Zealand stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other nations which have embraced the challenge. |
| 12.45am BST | 12.45am BST |
| 00:45 | 00:45 |
| Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were not at Trump’s announcement, because, according to a White House official, the couple was attending a service at synagogue. | Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were not at Trump’s announcement, because, according to a White House official, the couple was attending a service at synagogue. |
| Ivanka had met with Al Gore last year, sparking rumors that the president’s daughter, could influence her father on climate change, women’s health and other issues. Some hoped she would encourage the White House not to abandon the Paris agreement. | Ivanka had met with Al Gore last year, sparking rumors that the president’s daughter, could influence her father on climate change, women’s health and other issues. Some hoped she would encourage the White House not to abandon the Paris agreement. |
| Politico is now reporting that Ivanka seems to have “lost” on the Paris accord, but that she and Kushner, a senior advisor, “have taken the defeat in stride”: | Politico is now reporting that Ivanka seems to have “lost” on the Paris accord, but that she and Kushner, a senior advisor, “have taken the defeat in stride”: |
| After she organized five weeks of meetings focused on the Paris agreement — including her own sit-down with EPA administrator Scott Pruitt and enlisting people like Apple CEO Tim Cook to speak to the president about climate — Ivanka Trump appeared to have lost on one of the issues where she at one point expected to hold some sway. | After she organized five weeks of meetings focused on the Paris agreement — including her own sit-down with EPA administrator Scott Pruitt and enlisting people like Apple CEO Tim Cook to speak to the president about climate — Ivanka Trump appeared to have lost on one of the issues where she at one point expected to hold some sway. |
| 12.31am BST | 12.31am BST |
| 00:31 | 00:31 |
| Protests across the US | Protests across the US |
| Scenes of protests across the country this afternoon: | Scenes of protests across the country this afternoon: |
| DNC chair @TomPerez leads chants of "shame" at climate protest outside the White House pic.twitter.com/9xr2b84AuL | DNC chair @TomPerez leads chants of "shame" at climate protest outside the White House pic.twitter.com/9xr2b84AuL |
| #Miami climate activists turn out today to protest Trump's break from #ParisAgreement at Museum Park @jerryiannelli @MiamiNewTimes pic.twitter.com/9zBVgrlXm9 | #Miami climate activists turn out today to protest Trump's break from #ParisAgreement at Museum Park @jerryiannelli @MiamiNewTimes pic.twitter.com/9zBVgrlXm9 |
| Happening now: 400+ protesters gather near NYC City Hall to protest Pres. Trump abandoning Paris climate accord pic.twitter.com/OhlsuQEj0D | Happening now: 400+ protesters gather near NYC City Hall to protest Pres. Trump abandoning Paris climate accord pic.twitter.com/OhlsuQEj0D |
| Protests erupt outside Trump Tower after @POTUS pulls U.S. out of #ParisAgreement https://t.co/RzNDLSOkGi pic.twitter.com/GE7PZrq1yt | Protests erupt outside Trump Tower after @POTUS pulls U.S. out of #ParisAgreement https://t.co/RzNDLSOkGi pic.twitter.com/GE7PZrq1yt |
| 12.21am BST | 12.21am BST |
| 00:21 | 00:21 |
| Former president Bill Clinton has offered his criticism of the president’s decision: | Former president Bill Clinton has offered his criticism of the president’s decision: |
| Walking away from Paris treaty is a mistake. Climate change is real. We owe our children more. Protecting our future also creates more jobs. | Walking away from Paris treaty is a mistake. Climate change is real. We owe our children more. Protecting our future also creates more jobs. |
| Earlier, Hillary Clinton slammed the possible exit from the agreement, calling it “incredibly foolish” and “really stupid”, adding: | Earlier, Hillary Clinton slammed the possible exit from the agreement, calling it “incredibly foolish” and “really stupid”, adding: |
| The president is a very impulsive, reactive personality. So, if we all like the Paris agreement, he may decide to get out of it, not even understanding one bit about what that means. | The president is a very impulsive, reactive personality. So, if we all like the Paris agreement, he may decide to get out of it, not even understanding one bit about what that means. |
| 12.14am BST | 12.14am BST |
| 00:14 | 00:14 |
| Tesla CEO Elon Musk is not the only executive to step down from Trump’s council following the Paris Agreement withdrawal. Robert Iger, CEO of Disney, has also just announced his resignation “as a matter of principle”: | Tesla CEO Elon Musk is not the only executive to step down from Trump’s council following the Paris Agreement withdrawal. Robert Iger, CEO of Disney, has also just announced his resignation “as a matter of principle”: |
| As a matter of principle, I've resigned from the President's Council over the #ParisAgreement withdrawal. | As a matter of principle, I've resigned from the President's Council over the #ParisAgreement withdrawal. |
| Earlier in the day, General Motors CEO Mary Barra said she would remain on Trump’s strategy and policy forum, saying the group “provides GM a seat at an important table to contribute to a constructive dialogue about key policy issues”. | Earlier in the day, General Motors CEO Mary Barra said she would remain on Trump’s strategy and policy forum, saying the group “provides GM a seat at an important table to contribute to a constructive dialogue about key policy issues”. |
| 12.05am BST | 12.05am BST |
| 00:05 | 00:05 |
| The White House in a new statement says Trump had “frank, substantive discussions” about the Paris agreement with the leaders of Germany, France, Canada and Britain. | The White House in a new statement says Trump had “frank, substantive discussions” about the Paris agreement with the leaders of Germany, France, Canada and Britain. |
| The president also promised that during his administration, the US “will be the cleanest and most environmentally friendly country on Earth”, adding that the world leaders “all agreed to continue dialogue and strengthen cooperation on environmental and other issues going forward”. | The president also promised that during his administration, the US “will be the cleanest and most environmentally friendly country on Earth”, adding that the world leaders “all agreed to continue dialogue and strengthen cooperation on environmental and other issues going forward”. |
| "the United States under the Trump Administration, will be the cleanest and most environmentally friendly country on Earth" pic.twitter.com/khrDUaHrMA | "the United States under the Trump Administration, will be the cleanest and most environmentally friendly country on Earth" pic.twitter.com/khrDUaHrMA |
| Read more on the reactions from world leaders here. | Read more on the reactions from world leaders here. |
| 11.54pm BST | 11.54pm BST |
| 23:54 | 23:54 |
| The central message from Emmanuel Macron, in large capital letters: | The central message from Emmanuel Macron, in large capital letters: |
| pic.twitter.com/3g5LYO9Osj | pic.twitter.com/3g5LYO9Osj |
| 11.49pm BST | 11.49pm BST |
| 23:49 | 23:49 |
| Fact checking White House claims | Fact checking White House claims |
| The AP has released some helpful fact checks of Trump’s case for withdrawing the US from the climate agreement, noting that some of his claims are “shaky”: | The AP has released some helpful fact checks of Trump’s case for withdrawing the US from the climate agreement, noting that some of his claims are “shaky”: |
| For one, the White House cites a study paid for by groups that profit from fossil fuels. | For one, the White House cites a study paid for by groups that profit from fossil fuels. |
| Trump also claims 1m jobs have been created since the election. That’s basically right, but he earns no credit for jobs created in the months before he became president. | Trump also claims 1m jobs have been created since the election. That’s basically right, but he earns no credit for jobs created in the months before he became president. |
| The White House cited a study by NERA Consulting, claiming that meeting the Obama administration’s requirements in the Paris agreement would cost the US economy nearly $3tn over several decades. The US Chamber of Commerce and the American Council for Capital Formation paid for the research, according to the AP. Both groups have financial ties to people who profit from the burning of fossil fuels. | The White House cited a study by NERA Consulting, claiming that meeting the Obama administration’s requirements in the Paris agreement would cost the US economy nearly $3tn over several decades. The US Chamber of Commerce and the American Council for Capital Formation paid for the research, according to the AP. Both groups have financial ties to people who profit from the burning of fossil fuels. |
| The AP also noted that the president’s citation of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study was questionable. The White House claimed that the research found that if all member nations met their obligations, the climate impact would be negligible, but the MIT author said the administration is citing an outdated version and was taking the information out of context. | The AP also noted that the president’s citation of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study was questionable. The White House claimed that the research found that if all member nations met their obligations, the climate impact would be negligible, but the MIT author said the administration is citing an outdated version and was taking the information out of context. |