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Paris climate deal: Trump withdraws US from global agreement – live Paris climate agreement: world reacts as Trump pulls out of global accord – live
(35 minutes later)
10.07pm BST
22:07
Reaction from We Rate Dogs:
The We Rate Dogs account has HAD it. pic.twitter.com/o7m78pqfx4
10.03pm BST
22:03
Reaction, cont'd
House minority leader Nancy Pelosi: “abandoning America’s leadership”:
Pulling out of the Paris Accord defies the overwhelming support for action from credible scientists, the governments of 194 different countries and many religious groups. Faith leaders from Pope Francis to the evangelical community have urged us to act to preserve the beauty of God’s creation.
“By walking away from this pact, President Trump is abandoning America’s leadership position in the fight against the climate crisis and is sending a strong message to the rest of the world to create, design and manufacture clean energy solutions and create jobs elsewhere. If President Trump wants nations like China and India to take stronger and swifter action on climate, then he should do so through the accountability and enforcement provisions in the Paris Agreement, not by breaking our word and storming out of the room.
10.01pm BST
22:01
The view from Russia
Alec Luhn
Trump’s withdrawal announcement came in the late evening in Russia, and official commentary was not immediately available. But Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier on Thursday that Russia “attaches great importance” to the Paris climate accord, and a US withdrawal could complicate the agreement’s implementation.
“Of course, the effectiveness and realisation of this convention will be hampered without key participants,” Peskov told journalists. “There is no alternative (to the accord) at this time.”
The Russian television station Ren TV warned that climate change “could turn into a real catastrophe” after the US withdrawal.
In a statement last year, the foreign ministry said Moscow signing the Paris accord “reaffirms Russia’s commitment to the joint objectives of the international community in global warming”.
But in the past, climate change has often been seen as beneficial for Russia, which has been rushing to develop military bases, shipping routes and oil and gas fields in the Arctic as the region warms. Even though climate change has exacerbated forest fires and thawed permafrost in Russia, according to scientists, the issue has not been widely covered by state media here.
Putin, who once joked that Russians would spend less on fur coats, said at an Arctic forum in March that climate change would “continue anyway and anyhow” and skeptics “may not be at all silly”.
“Climate change brings in more favorable conditions and improves the economic potential of this region,” Putin said.
10.00pm BST
22:00
Astronaut Scott Kelly:
Withdrawing from the #ParisAgreement will be devastating to our planet. Paris and Pittsburgh share the same environment after all. pic.twitter.com/QNO5vHtmEF
9.56pm BST
21:56
Obama’s official photographer:
Pete Souza on the #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/iVKmQeq4Uj
9.53pm BST
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9.50pm BST
21:50
Florida Representative Charlie Crist: ‘heartbroken’
I am heartbroken by this decision. Actively deciding to not protect our environment? Shameful. https://t.co/iUpezt0lsp
9.50pm BST
21:50
Europe says no 'renegotiation' of Paris deal
It looks like Trump’s plan to “renegotiate” the Paris deal may be a clown plan:
BREAKING: France, Germany, Italy issue joint statement saying Paris climate accord can't be renegotiated.
9.38pm BST
21:38
Merkel 'regrets' Trump move
BREAKING: German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she regrets US climate move, will keep working to 'save our Earth.'
9.34pm BST9.34pm BST
21:3421:34
Kate Connolly
The Berliner Kurier has a hot front page for Friday:The Berliner Kurier has a hot front page for Friday:
La Une du @BERLINER_KURIER demain : La Terre à #Trump : FUCK YOU! 🌎🖕🏻 #AccorddeParis #climat #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/ZWUIYOhmSDLa Une du @BERLINER_KURIER demain : La Terre à #Trump : FUCK YOU! 🌎🖕🏻 #AccorddeParis #climat #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/ZWUIYOhmSD
“One of the most important contracts in the history of humanity saw 195 countries committing in 2015 to save the planet for our children. But now the man in the White House is putting the project at risk. Is he a danger for us all?” the paper asks in an editorial.Martin Schulz, leader of the Social Democrats and the party’scandidate for September’s elections tweeted: “You can withdraw from a climate agreement but not from climate change, Mr Trump. Reality isn’t just another statesman you shove away”.The opposition Green Party tweeted: “Trump leaves the Paris agreement. A hard defeat for climate protection. All the more decisively will we now fight for our planets.”Cem Özdemir, joint leader of the Greens tweeted: “Trump doesn’t know what he’s doing. We do!”, and went on to promote a joint climate union between the EU and US states and cities. “Let’s work on climate protection”, he said.But German climate experts were generally of the opinion that whether Trump’s government was in or out of the Paris agreement, the effect would be the same.“In any case the members of this government are for personal andpolitical reasons not interested in making laws to protect the environment - of whatever kind - which they see as getting in the way of doing business,” said Matthias Ruth, a German professor at the Northeastern University in Boston.Lukas Hermwille, scientific researcher in the field of internationalclimate policy at the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, drew attention to the fact that the exit from the agreement would anyway only come into effect in around three years’ time “ironically,” he told Die Welt, “on the day after the next US presidential election”. But Trump could still spend the rest of his time in office torpedoing climate protection from the inside out, he added.
Updated
at 9.37pm BST
9.28pm BST9.28pm BST
21:2821:28
Pittsburgh rejects Trump embracePittsburgh rejects Trump embrace
“I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris,” Trump said.“I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris,” Trump said.
The line has ticked off a lot of Pittsburghers.The line has ticked off a lot of Pittsburghers.
More than 56 percent of voters in Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh, voted for Hillary Clinton: https://t.co/2VjOB9hf3pMore than 56 percent of voters in Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh, voted for Hillary Clinton: https://t.co/2VjOB9hf3p
As the Mayor of Pittsburgh, I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy & future. https://t.co/3znXGTcd8CAs the Mayor of Pittsburgh, I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy & future. https://t.co/3znXGTcd8C
Fact: Hillary Clinton received 80% of the vote in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh stands with the world & will follow Paris Agreement @HillaryClinton https://t.co/cibJyT7MAKFact: Hillary Clinton received 80% of the vote in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh stands with the world & will follow Paris Agreement @HillaryClinton https://t.co/cibJyT7MAK
Pittsburgh is one of the greenest cities in America. Miss us. https://t.co/l3SpxQUbgvPittsburgh is one of the greenest cities in America. Miss us. https://t.co/l3SpxQUbgv
Trump lost Pittsburgh. And he won in Paris, Maine; Paris, Tenn; Paris, Ark.; Paris, Idaho; Paris, Missouri; Paris, Penn.; Paris, Texas.Trump lost Pittsburgh. And he won in Paris, Maine; Paris, Tenn; Paris, Ark.; Paris, Idaho; Paris, Missouri; Paris, Penn.; Paris, Texas.
Trump says he's doing this for Pittsburgh? Here's what the Post-Gazette's editorial board says about Paris: pic.twitter.com/hwvyTWKuLLTrump says he's doing this for Pittsburgh? Here's what the Post-Gazette's editorial board says about Paris: pic.twitter.com/hwvyTWKuLL
9.16pm BST9.16pm BST
21:1621:16
The Weather Channel responds:The Weather Channel responds:
Holy shit, The Weather Channel is NOT fucking around! pic.twitter.com/izow7eNAwHHoly shit, The Weather Channel is NOT fucking around! pic.twitter.com/izow7eNAwH
9.13pm BST9.13pm BST
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Reactions, cont'dReactions, cont'd
Here’s the CEO of General Electric:Here’s the CEO of General Electric:
Disappointed with today’s decision on the Paris Agreement. Climate change is real. Industry must now lead and not depend on government.Disappointed with today’s decision on the Paris Agreement. Climate change is real. Industry must now lead and not depend on government.
Democratic Pennsylvania senator Casey:Democratic Pennsylvania senator Casey:
Earlier this year I held a town hall in Pittsburgh & the residents in attendance called for action on climate change. Cc: @realDonaldTrumpEarlier this year I held a town hall in Pittsburgh & the residents in attendance called for action on climate change. Cc: @realDonaldTrump
Elon Musk:Elon Musk:
Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.
Republican senator Graham:Republican senator Graham:
I support President Trump’s desire to re-enter the Paris Accord after the agreement becomes a better deal for America and business.I support President Trump’s desire to re-enter the Paris Accord after the agreement becomes a better deal for America and business.
The mayor of Pittsburgh:The mayor of Pittsburgh:
The United States joins Syria, Nicaragua & Russia in deciding not to participate with world's Paris Agreement. It's now up to cities to leadThe United States joins Syria, Nicaragua & Russia in deciding not to participate with world's Paris Agreement. It's now up to cities to lead
If you're still talking about Pittsburgh as a gritty old steel town, just know that you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.If you're still talking about Pittsburgh as a gritty old steel town, just know that you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.
The Rose Garden band pic.twitter.com/QMZac0TH4DThe Rose Garden band pic.twitter.com/QMZac0TH4D
9.06pm BST9.06pm BST
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Here’s Guardian US environment reporter Oliver Milman:Here’s Guardian US environment reporter Oliver Milman:
A reminder that Paris took around 20 years of proceeding work, is voluntary and had nearly 200 countries on boardA reminder that Paris took around 20 years of proceeding work, is voluntary and had nearly 200 countries on board
This is prob the US' worst self inflicted wound of modern times, it harms environmental, economic and diplomatic standing for years to comeThis is prob the US' worst self inflicted wound of modern times, it harms environmental, economic and diplomatic standing for years to come
A future president can reverse this but America’s standing in the world will take a while to recover. Those renewable jobs will go OS & emissions cuts will slow at a time when they must accelerate if we are to avoid the worst in sea level rise, heatwaves, loss of reefs etcA future president can reverse this but America’s standing in the world will take a while to recover. Those renewable jobs will go OS & emissions cuts will slow at a time when they must accelerate if we are to avoid the worst in sea level rise, heatwaves, loss of reefs etc
In terms of profound consequence Trump won't do anything as severe as this in his presidency. Let's please remember that during next scandalIn terms of profound consequence Trump won't do anything as severe as this in his presidency. Let's please remember that during next scandal
9.02pm BST
21:02
View from Brussels: 'a sad day for the global community'
Daniel Boffey
The news was met with disbelief and anger in Brussels, where the EU and China are currently mid-way through a summit at the end of which they will announce their acceleration of efforts to combat climate change under the Paris agreement.
The EU’s commissioner for climate action and energy, Miguel Arias Cañete, said the vacuum left by the US’s withdrawal would now be filled be new global leaders, and he vowed that the climate accord would endure.
He said: “Today’s announcement has galvanised us rather than weakened us, and this vacuum will be filled by new broad committed leadership. Europe and its strong partners all around the world are ready to lead the way. We will work together to face one of the most compelling challenges of our time.”
Cañete added: “Today is a sad day for the global community, as a key partner turns its back on the fight against climate change. The EU deeply regrets the unilateral decision by the Trump administration to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement.
“The Paris Agreement is fit for purpose. Paris is ambitious yet not prescriptive. The Paris Agreement allows each Party to forge its own path to contributing to the goals of preventing dangerous climate change. So there is room for the US to chart its own course within the Paris Agreement. 195 countries have signed the Paris Agreement, 195 different paths to meeting the Paris goals.”
Others, however, hit out at the US president’s move. The president of the European parliament, Antonio Tajani, said: “It is a matter of trust and leadership. This decision will hurt the US and the planet.”
Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the liberal group in the European parliament tweeted a report on the impact of rising tides on Hawaii, adding: “MAKE AMERICA SMALL AGAIN”.
The comments came shortly after Tusk, and the president of the European Commission president, Jean Claude Juncker, had an informal dinner with the Chinese premier, Li Keqiang, in Brussels.
9.00pm BST
21:00
Trump's Paris pullout is more damaging to the US than the climate
Damian Carrington
Will Donald Trump’s decision to pull the US out of the Paris climate change agreement tip the world into fiery catastrophe? The extraordinary unity of the rest of the world’s nations in tackling global warming, allied with the booming green economy, driven by plummeting renewable energy costs, are strong reasons to think not.
A much more likely casualty of Trump’s choice is the US economy he claims to be protecting: America’s brilliance at innovation, investment and building businesses will no longer have its government’s support. The prize of leadership in the 21st-century economy could be sacrificed in a doomed attempt to revive the fossil-fuelled economy of the 20th century.
However much Trump “digs coal”, he cannot force companies to build coal-fired power stations if wind and solar are cheaper and executives are smart enough to realise that a billion-dollar bet on a new plant – likely to be closed by Trump’s successor – is not a winner.
Instead, US states and cities will continue to pursue the green future that secures clean air, water and the promise of climate stability for their citizens. That is no small deal: combined together, California and New York City would be the fourth biggest economy in the world.
Read further:
8.58pm BST
20:58
Trump says withdrawing from the deal “represents a reassertion of America’s sovereignty.” Then he says it’s his “highest obligation and greatest honor” to protect the US constitution.
8.58pm BST
20:58
Reactions, cont'd
Lauren Gambino
House Speaker Paul Ryan, who long opposed the accord, praised Trump’s decision to withdraw, calling the treaty “simply a raw deal for America”:
“Signed by President Obama without Senate ratification, it would have driven up the cost of energy, hitting middle-class and low-income Americans the hardest,” Ryan said in a statement. “In order to unleash the power of the American economy, our government must encourage production of American energy.”
8.54pm BST
20:54
Trump conjures global conspiracy behind Paris deal
Trump says the tax reform bill “is moving along in Congress” and people will be “pleasantly surprised.”
“It’s going very well,” Trump says.
Then he says the Paris deal “handicaps the US economy in order to win praise from the very global activists and [who?] that have long sought to gain wealth at our expense...”
In that section, Trump pointed to a shadowy global conspiracy that created the Paris deal to steal US treasure and insult her citizenry. This is the Bannon section.
“You see what’s happening,” Trump says. “It’s pretty obvious to those who keep an open mind.”
Then he warns that other countries are laughing at the USA:
At what point does America get demeaned. At what point does America get laughed at as a country.
“I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris,” Trump says.
8.51pm BST
20:51
The fact that the Paris deal hamstrings the United States while empowering some of the world’s top polluting countries should expel any doubt as to why foreign lobbyists should wish to keep our beautiful country tied up and bound down... that’s not going to happen while I’m president, I’m sorry.
– Donald Trump
8.49pm BST
20:49
Reactions, cont'd
Sabrina Siddiqui
Tom Steyer, the environmental activist and Democratic mega-donor, vowed retribution for Trump’s action.
“The Trump Administration has just committed assault and battery on the future of the American people,” Steyer, who serves as the president of the advocacy group NextGen Climate, said in a statement.
“By pulling out of the Paris Agreement, Donald Trump is betraying the moral, political, and economic leadership position America has achieved over centuries at the cost of American lives. Yet the voice of the people remains the most powerful force in the land, and we will be heard.”
Brian Deese, a former senior adviser to Barack Obama who led the previous administration’s efforts on climate, said Trump’s decision marked a retreat from “a total global consensus” on the need to combat global warming.
“The diplomatic blowback will be significant,” he said, while pointing to the widespread support for the Paris accord among every one of America’s key allies.
“Diplomacy is a give and take,” Deese added.
“The next time the United States is looking for partnership, a lot of these countries will legitimately say when it came to an issue we cared about, you weren’t there for us.” And that’s a meaningful thing.”
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer described Trump’s decision as “a devastating failure of historic proportions.”
“Future generations will look back on President Trump’s decision as one of the worst policy moves made in the 21st century because of the huge damage to our economy, our environment and our geopolitical standing,” Schumer said in a statement.
“Pulling out of the Paris agreement doesn’t put America first, it puts America last in recognizing science, in being a world leader and protecting our own shore line, our economy and our planet,” he added. “It’s now crystal clear President Trump is comfortable both ceding the moral high ground and the economic upper hand to countries like China, and endangering the future of our planet.”
Updated
at 8.50pm BST
8.47pm BST
20:47
Trump portrays Paris deal as economic catastrophe for US
Trump calls the Paris deal a “self-inflicted major economic wound.” There’s no indication that’s the case, but likewise nothing stopping him from saying it.
Trump is making out the Paris deal, which hadn’t dug in in the US’ energy policy yet when he was elected, to be the source of a made-up US economic catastrophe and hemorrhaging of jobs and GDP.
“The agreement is a massive redistribution of United States wealth to other countries,” Trump says.
Again, a wild claim, wildly unfounded from the president. He says “we’ll be at grave risk of brownouts and blackouts, our businesses will come to a halt in many cases” under the Paris deal.
8.44pm BST
20:44
The Paris accord “is very unfair at the highest level to the United States,” Trump says.
Trump says the agreement blocks the development of clean coal. “And the mines are starting to open up. We’re having a big opening,” he says.
Then he says Paris would have outlawed US coal but allowed China and Indian coal.
“In short the agreement doesn’t eliminate coal jobs, it just transfers those jobs out of the United States.” Coal jobs, and the role of coal in US energy production, were long gone before the Paris deal.
8.42pm BST
20:42
Trump says the Paris deal would cost the US economy $3tn in lost GDP.
Then Trump says he’s backing out of the deal owing to his environmental conscience:
As someone who cares deeply about the environment, as I do, I cannot in good conscience support a deal which harms the United States, which it does.