Carper Reacts to Trump Decision to Abandon Paris Climate Accord

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, reacted to President Trump’s decision to abandon the Paris Climate Accord, a pledge signed by nearly 200 nations to limit greenhouse gas emissions and combat global warming.

“President Trump’s decision today is baffling and profoundly disappointing. Instead of seizing the opportunity to lead the world in battling climate change, our president has decided that the United States will cede its role as a global leader and, instead, join the likes of Bashar al-Assad. Meanwhile, over 190 nations will remain united in moving forward without us to combat what is, perhaps, the greatest challenge we face today: climate change.

“Make no mistake, President Trump’s decision also means we abandon the economic opportunity that comes with innovation and technology advances in clean energy. The European Union and China already have plans to fill the gaping hole left by the United States, including the potential to create millions of clean energy jobs this president has tossed aside.

“Since President Trump refuses to lead in tackling the greatest environmental challenge of our time, it is now up to all of us. A dozen states, a thousand U.S. cities and thousands of business leaders are already stepping up, continuing to cut emissions and creating jobs while doing so. While today’s decision is a setback, it is not the end of our fight to protect this planet for future generations, just the end of the beginning.”

###