Statement: Weakening U.S. Paris Climate Pledge would create blowback, harm America’s global standing

WASHINGTON, DC - POLITICO is reporting that President Donald Trump's most senior advisers will meet next week to discuss the Administration’s position on the Paris agreement. Some of the most extreme options being discussed include pulling out of the accord and weakening the United States’ national emissions reduction commitment. Ahead of that meeting, former Trump EPA Transition official Myron Ebell suggested this week that weakening the U.S. INDC would be equivalent to withdrawing.

In Response, Sierra Club Global Climate Policy Director John Coequyt Released the Following Statement:

“Weakening our commitments under the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon pollution would not just be disastrous for the health of our families and our planet, but for our ability to work with other countries to grow our economy and secure our nation. The world expects the United States to keep its promises, and the consequences of breaking promises on climate are the same as in other critical areas of international concern.

We’ve seen Trump change his position on NATO under tremendous international pressure because abandoning our security commitments would be untenable. The same is true of our commitments to reduce carbon pollution under the Paris accord. Our credibility, influence, and standing in the world will suffer if we refuse to do our part to address this global problem. Other countries are not stupid: they know that if Trump reneges on our pledge, he will be breaking a promise they will not be able to ignore.”

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