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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)
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India a scapegoat in US' withdrawal?
One of the reasons Trump gave on Thursday for withdrawing from the Paris accord was that it imposed “no meaningful obligations on the world’s leading polluters”, and singled out India as evidence of the fundamental unfairness of the deal:
“India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020. Think of it: India can double their coal production. We’re supposed to get rid of ours.”
After POTUS's broadside about India's coal plants, can't help but think upcoming Modi visit will have some tough conversations.
Ted Frank, the director of the Center for Classic Action Fairness, was one of many to divert criticism of Trump’s decision towards India:
This take is so hot it adds more to global warming than the 370 new coal plants permitted to India under the Paris Agreement. https://t.co/oDHfFqEakd
But as the Guardian’s South Asia correspondent Michael Safi explains, the comparison does not quite stack up:
India’s carbon allowance under the Paris agreement is relatively generous in recognition of the more than 300m Indians still without access to electricity. The country will also need to develop its economy in a carbon-constrained environment, unlike in the west.
But the world’s third-largest carbon pollution emitter is nonetheless on course to exceed the renewable energy targets it set in Paris in 2015 by nearly 50% – and three years ahead of schedule.
Last month saw the wholesale price of wind and solar energy reach record lows in the country, further undercutting the price of coal and spurring international investment in Indian renewables.
Also in May, around 13.7GW of coal projects were cancelled. India’s national energy agency has predicted no new coal plants, other than those already in the pipeline, may be required until at least 2027.
Surveying the toll of fossil-fuelled economic development on its rivers, farmland and air, India has recognised that transitioning to a low-carbon economy is firmly in national interests, as well as those of the planet.
Trump says Paris imposes no obligation on world's biggest polluters. He cites India. whose per cap emissions are a tenth of America's.
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ACLU: withdrawal from Paris an 'assault on communities of colour'ACLU: withdrawal from Paris an 'assault on communities of colour'
Echoing the earlier points made by Refugees International, the American Civil Liberties Union has pointed out that “climate change doesn’t affect us all equally”.Echoing the earlier points made by Refugees International, the American Civil Liberties Union has pointed out that “climate change doesn’t affect us all equally”.
Pulling out of the Paris Agreement would be a massive step back for racial justice, and an assault on communities of color across the U.S.Pulling out of the Paris Agreement would be a massive step back for racial justice, and an assault on communities of color across the U.S.
Drought, hurricanes and flooding will impact every American— but climate change doesn't affect us all equally.Drought, hurricanes and flooding will impact every American— but climate change doesn't affect us all equally.
Black and brown people are more likely to live near coal plants, and have higher asthma rates than white Americans do.Black and brown people are more likely to live near coal plants, and have higher asthma rates than white Americans do.
That disparity is only going to worsen in coming years, and it's why we must #ActOnClimate if we're serious about racial justice.That disparity is only going to worsen in coming years, and it's why we must #ActOnClimate if we're serious about racial justice.
Though this has been derided in some (especially conservative) corners of Twitter, but the fact is that the impact of climate change on disadvantaged groups is well established.Though this has been derided in some (especially conservative) corners of Twitter, but the fact is that the impact of climate change on disadvantaged groups is well established.
A 2014 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said being in poverty made the impacts worse and part of preparing for the future was addressing inequality in society:A 2014 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said being in poverty made the impacts worse and part of preparing for the future was addressing inequality in society:
Climate-related hazards affect poor people’s lives directly through impacts on livelihoods, reductions in crop yields, or destruction of homes and indirectly through, for example, increased food prices and food insecurity. Observed positive effects for poor and marginalized people, which are limited and often indirect, include examples such as diversification of social networks and of agricultural practices.Climate-related hazards affect poor people’s lives directly through impacts on livelihoods, reductions in crop yields, or destruction of homes and indirectly through, for example, increased food prices and food insecurity. Observed positive effects for poor and marginalized people, which are limited and often indirect, include examples such as diversification of social networks and of agricultural practices.
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Meanwhile, in other Trump news:Meanwhile, in other Trump news:
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Republican Rick Santorum called on Trump to pull out of the Paris accord on CNN on Thursday morning, arguing against renewable energies as “not reliable, not consistent” on a panel with former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm.Republican Rick Santorum called on Trump to pull out of the Paris accord on CNN on Thursday morning, arguing against renewable energies as “not reliable, not consistent” on a panel with former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm.
He was ridiculed for this on social media.He was ridiculed for this on social media.
Rick Santorum argues on CNN against solar because sometimes it's night.Rick Santorum argues on CNN against solar because sometimes it's night.
Santorum explained that he was “sad to be criticized by the left for something as obvious” as solar energy being complicated by “clouds & darkness”.Santorum explained that he was “sad to be criticized by the left for something as obvious” as solar energy being complicated by “clouds & darkness”.
Sad to be criticized by the left for something as obvious as solar (clouds & darkness) and wind (calm winds) are not reliable or consistent. https://t.co/tkNrTRbk1uSad to be criticized by the left for something as obvious as solar (clouds & darkness) and wind (calm winds) are not reliable or consistent. https://t.co/tkNrTRbk1u
This didn’t really serve to ease the ridicule.This didn’t really serve to ease the ridicule.
Maybe we should sent a ship to the sun to investigate. Make sure to do it at night when the sun is cooler.Maybe we should sent a ship to the sun to investigate. Make sure to do it at night when the sun is cooler.
GOD NO! That ship would plummet off the edge of the planet!GOD NO! That ship would plummet off the edge of the planet!
Santorum is a co-chair of Americans for Energy Security and Innovation, which seeks to reduce US dependence on foreign oil.Santorum is a co-chair of Americans for Energy Security and Innovation, which seeks to reduce US dependence on foreign oil.
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Michael SlezakMichael Slezak
As experts, environmentalists, business leaders and others condemn Trump’s announcement, others have argued the move is mostly symbolic.As experts, environmentalists, business leaders and others condemn Trump’s announcement, others have argued the move is mostly symbolic.
Luke Kemp, economist and political scientist at the Australian National University, recently wrote a paper in Nature Climate Change, arguing that the world is better off with the US out of the Paris Agreement. We discussed his comments here and here.Luke Kemp, economist and political scientist at the Australian National University, recently wrote a paper in Nature Climate Change, arguing that the world is better off with the US out of the Paris Agreement. We discussed his comments here and here.
In response to the move, Kemp has now added: “This is now a chance to forget about the US and for a critical mass of leaders to move ahead without them.”In response to the move, Kemp has now added: “This is now a chance to forget about the US and for a critical mass of leaders to move ahead without them.”
He continued: “The announcement today does not impact US emissions or climate financing. In practical terms, it simply means that the US doesn’t need to put forward a new pledge every five years. Trump’s decision to withdraw does not tangibly effect US emissions or action. It does signal that he wants the US to become a technological fossil.”He continued: “The announcement today does not impact US emissions or climate financing. In practical terms, it simply means that the US doesn’t need to put forward a new pledge every five years. Trump’s decision to withdraw does not tangibly effect US emissions or action. It does signal that he wants the US to become a technological fossil.”
Importantly, it could mean the US will not be able to act effectively to stifle international action: “...other countries are far less likely to accede to the demands of a withdrawing climate pariah.”Importantly, it could mean the US will not be able to act effectively to stifle international action: “...other countries are far less likely to accede to the demands of a withdrawing climate pariah.”
John Quiggin, an economist at the University of Queensland, argued along similar lines.John Quiggin, an economist at the University of Queensland, argued along similar lines.
“The announcement itself is primarily symbolic, but other actions of the Trump administration mean that US emissions will decline more slowly than they should.“The announcement itself is primarily symbolic, but other actions of the Trump administration mean that US emissions will decline more slowly than they should.
“However, the preliminary evidence is that this action will not be taken as a signal for other countries to follow, but rather as a further indication that the US has abandoned its leadership role in the US economy. The impact will be further reduced by the commitment of California and other state governments to pursue ambitious policies for emissions reductions.”“However, the preliminary evidence is that this action will not be taken as a signal for other countries to follow, but rather as a further indication that the US has abandoned its leadership role in the US economy. The impact will be further reduced by the commitment of California and other state governments to pursue ambitious policies for emissions reductions.”
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Michael SafiMichael Safi
The Indian government has not yet responded to Trump’s announcement, which came shortly after 1am local time, but at a forum last month India’s energy minister reaffirmed the south Asian giant’s commitment to the global climate agreement.The Indian government has not yet responded to Trump’s announcement, which came shortly after 1am local time, but at a forum last month India’s energy minister reaffirmed the south Asian giant’s commitment to the global climate agreement.
“The road from Paris to today has been somewhat bumpy,” Piyush Goyal said. “We will have to sort that out. But I’d like to reassure each one of you here today that India stands committed to its commitments made at Paris irrespective of what happens in the rest of the world.”“The road from Paris to today has been somewhat bumpy,” Piyush Goyal said. “We will have to sort that out. But I’d like to reassure each one of you here today that India stands committed to its commitments made at Paris irrespective of what happens in the rest of the world.”
An unnamed official also told Reuters this week the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, had assured German chancellor Angela Merkel on an official visit to Berlin that India would remain in the agreement regardless of Trump’s announcement.An unnamed official also told Reuters this week the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, had assured German chancellor Angela Merkel on an official visit to Berlin that India would remain in the agreement regardless of Trump’s announcement.
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The world aligns on Paris – bar Syria, Nicaragua and er, the USThe world aligns on Paris – bar Syria, Nicaragua and er, the US
Robert Garcia, mayor of Long Beach City, has tweeted this map showing the three countries not part of the Paris agreement: the US, Syria and Nicaragua. “What a national embarrassment...”Robert Garcia, mayor of Long Beach City, has tweeted this map showing the three countries not part of the Paris agreement: the US, Syria and Nicaragua. “What a national embarrassment...”
The blue countries are all members of the #ParisAgreement - the U.S., Syria, and Nicaragua are not. What a national embarrassment... pic.twitter.com/JBSb34q1wsThe blue countries are all members of the #ParisAgreement - the U.S., Syria, and Nicaragua are not. What a national embarrassment... pic.twitter.com/JBSb34q1ws
But the map alone doesn’t tell the full story: Nicaragua has not signed onto the agreement because it doesn’t go far enough.But the map alone doesn’t tell the full story: Nicaragua has not signed onto the agreement because it doesn’t go far enough.
Slate reports that Paul Oquist, who represented the country at the Paris negotiations in 2015, believed that the agreement would fail because its commitments were not binding.Slate reports that Paul Oquist, who represented the country at the Paris negotiations in 2015, believed that the agreement would fail because its commitments were not binding.
“[We’re not going to submit because] voluntary responsibility is a path to failure,” Quist told a reporter from Climate Home in 2015. “We don’t want to be [an] accomplice to taking the world to 3 to 4 degrees and the death and destruction that represents.”“[We’re not going to submit because] voluntary responsibility is a path to failure,” Quist told a reporter from Climate Home in 2015. “We don’t want to be [an] accomplice to taking the world to 3 to 4 degrees and the death and destruction that represents.”
Oquist also said countries with the most emissions should take greater responsibility for tackling climate change. The US ranks second, behind China; Nicaragua ranks 131. According to the World Bank, it is already on track towards having 90% renewable energy by 2020.Oquist also said countries with the most emissions should take greater responsibility for tackling climate change. The US ranks second, behind China; Nicaragua ranks 131. According to the World Bank, it is already on track towards having 90% renewable energy by 2020.
As for the US, well...As for the US, well...
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According to Vox, Trump has tweeted scepticism or denialism about climate change 115 times since 2011.According to Vox, Trump has tweeted scepticism or denialism about climate change 115 times since 2011.
They have compiled all of them in a list that, in other less impactful circumstances, might make for amusing reading (“Most of his tweets involve some kind of confusion between climate and weather”).They have compiled all of them in a list that, in other less impactful circumstances, might make for amusing reading (“Most of his tweets involve some kind of confusion between climate and weather”).
It snowed over 4 inches this past weekend in New York City. It is still October. So much for Global Warming.It snowed over 4 inches this past weekend in New York City. It is still October. So much for Global Warming.
In the 1920's people were worried about global cooling--it never happened. Now it's global warming. Give me a break!In the 1920's people were worried about global cooling--it never happened. Now it's global warming. Give me a break!
The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.
The World Bank is tying poverty to ‘climate change’ http://t.co/wZ9ofqxJ And we wonder why international organizations are ineffective.The World Bank is tying poverty to ‘climate change’ http://t.co/wZ9ofqxJ And we wonder why international organizations are ineffective.
The problem w/ the concept of "global warming" is that the U.S. is spending a fortune on "fixing it" while China & others do nothing!The problem w/ the concept of "global warming" is that the U.S. is spending a fortune on "fixing it" while China & others do nothing!
California senator Kamala Harris tweeted the link with a wry observation care of Maya Angelou.California senator Kamala Harris tweeted the link with a wry observation care of Maya Angelou.
"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." —Maya Angelou #ParisAgreement https://t.co/nlrmhZCDIH"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." —Maya Angelou #ParisAgreement https://t.co/nlrmhZCDIH
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An interesting perspective from Guardian Australia’s opinion team – Indigenous knowledges, compiled and refined over tens of thousands of years, have the greatest potential to sustain human life on this planet:An interesting perspective from Guardian Australia’s opinion team – Indigenous knowledges, compiled and refined over tens of thousands of years, have the greatest potential to sustain human life on this planet:
“And yet, even while the planet continues to heat up, people still don’t connect the dots. Many people still completely undervalue Indigenous knowledges, in spite of people like award-winning scientist, broadcaster and environmentalist, Dr David Suzuki urging society and our institutions not to. On his last trip here, Suzuki said that ‘Australia could learn from its Indigenous peoples ... to me the paradigm shift is that we have to see the world as Indigenous people see it.’.”“And yet, even while the planet continues to heat up, people still don’t connect the dots. Many people still completely undervalue Indigenous knowledges, in spite of people like award-winning scientist, broadcaster and environmentalist, Dr David Suzuki urging society and our institutions not to. On his last trip here, Suzuki said that ‘Australia could learn from its Indigenous peoples ... to me the paradigm shift is that we have to see the world as Indigenous people see it.’.”
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Buildings go green the world overBuildings go green the world over
Paris City Hall was lit up green after trump stupid & dangerous decision.💚 #ParisAgreement #ActOnClimatepic.twitter.com/0YwpaFa9f6Paris City Hall was lit up green after trump stupid & dangerous decision.💚 #ParisAgreement #ActOnClimatepic.twitter.com/0YwpaFa9f6
World: The Empire State stands with you. NY shines green for our planet, our health and our children's future. #ParisAgreement @NYGovCuomo pic.twitter.com/F4MxwL11C3World: The Empire State stands with you. NY shines green for our planet, our health and our children's future. #ParisAgreement @NYGovCuomo pic.twitter.com/F4MxwL11C3
NYC's City Hall lit up green in solidarity with the #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/fS7neQp0AcNYC's City Hall lit up green in solidarity with the #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/fS7neQp0Ac
Tonight the Wilson Building turns green in honor of DC's continued commitment to the #ParisAgreement. #ClimateMayors pic.twitter.com/beqQyVEISzTonight the Wilson Building turns green in honor of DC's continued commitment to the #ParisAgreement. #ClimateMayors pic.twitter.com/beqQyVEISz
Exiting the #ParisAgreement may make us see red & feel blue, but the Wilson Building's lit up green tonight to prove the fight endures pic.twitter.com/gRUMDtbXlqExiting the #ParisAgreement may make us see red & feel blue, but the Wilson Building's lit up green tonight to prove the fight endures pic.twitter.com/gRUMDtbXlq
Boston City Hall lit up in green in support of the Paris Climate Accord. #wbz pic.twitter.com/8SVgl0QEkrBoston City Hall lit up in green in support of the Paris Climate Accord. #wbz pic.twitter.com/8SVgl0QEkr
GOING GREEN: Governor Cuomo directed 1 World Trade Center to be lit green tonight in support of the Paris Accord on climate change. pic.twitter.com/FJBis4gxrAGOING GREEN: Governor Cuomo directed 1 World Trade Center to be lit green tonight in support of the Paris Accord on climate change. pic.twitter.com/FJBis4gxrA
Montreal City Hall is lit up in green tonight, in support of the Paris Accord's climate change framework (credit:@ABelandRC) pic.twitter.com/CidXRixzwdMontreal City Hall is lit up in green tonight, in support of the Paris Accord's climate change framework (credit:@ABelandRC) pic.twitter.com/CidXRixzwd
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The Elders, the independent global group campaigning for human rights chaired by Kofi Annan, has condemned Trump’s decision in reiterating their commitment to moving away from fossil fuels.The Elders, the independent global group campaigning for human rights chaired by Kofi Annan, has condemned Trump’s decision in reiterating their commitment to moving away from fossil fuels.
Annan said the Paris agreement was born out of a desire to find a cooperative solution to “the great existential threat of our time”: “While the US withdrawal weakens that international accord, it will not trigger its demise.”Annan said the Paris agreement was born out of a desire to find a cooperative solution to “the great existential threat of our time”: “While the US withdrawal weakens that international accord, it will not trigger its demise.”
"While US withdrawal weakens #ParisAgreement, it'll not trigger its demise” –@KofiAnnan https://t.co/goGRZl5c1v #ClimateChange pic.twitter.com/6pSLjoMYlq"While US withdrawal weakens #ParisAgreement, it'll not trigger its demise” –@KofiAnnan https://t.co/goGRZl5c1v #ClimateChange pic.twitter.com/6pSLjoMYlq
Mary Robinson, a former UN Special Envoy on Climate Change, said the US was a “rogue state on the international stage”, but action was ongoing at state level, in cities, in businesses and communities across the country.Mary Robinson, a former UN Special Envoy on Climate Change, said the US was a “rogue state on the international stage”, but action was ongoing at state level, in cities, in businesses and communities across the country.
“A rogue state" –Mary Robinson on @POTUS withdrawing US from #ParisAgreement on #ClimateChange https://t.co/goGRZl5c1v #ActOnClimate pic.twitter.com/ZFK5SkbQFb“A rogue state" –Mary Robinson on @POTUS withdrawing US from #ParisAgreement on #ClimateChange https://t.co/goGRZl5c1v #ActOnClimate pic.twitter.com/ZFK5SkbQFb
The Elders repeated their concern at the Trump administration’s decision not to provide climate finance to help developing countries. Gro Harlem Brundtland, a former UN Special Envoy on Climate Change, said it weakened “already frayed bonds of trust between developed and developing countries”:The Elders repeated their concern at the Trump administration’s decision not to provide climate finance to help developing countries. Gro Harlem Brundtland, a former UN Special Envoy on Climate Change, said it weakened “already frayed bonds of trust between developed and developing countries”:
“It places an enormous burden on other industrialised countries to mobilise the $100 billion per year promised to support climate action in developing countries.”“It places an enormous burden on other industrialised countries to mobilise the $100 billion per year promised to support climate action in developing countries.”