'Disturbing,' 'Shameful': Local Reaction to Trump Paris Agreement Withdrawal
SEATTLE, WA - Puget Sound Republicans and Democrats are reacting negatively to President Donald Trump's announcement Thursday that he would withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement on climate change. Trump announced the withdrawal from the White House on Thursday. The U.S. becomes the third country on Earth along with Nicaragua and Syria to decline to participate. Trump did say that he would seek to renegotiate U.S. reentry into the agreement.
Here are reactions from local elected officials:
Gov. Jay Inslee: "Leaving the Paris agreement is a shameful course of action that will jeopardize the health and prosperity of our children and grandchildren."
U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Issaquah: "The Paris Accord gives the United States a global platform to be a leading voice on international issues impacting our economy, security, and the environment. Withdrawing from the agreement would cause us to lose this influence. I have always believed stewardship of our environment and sound economic policy are not mutually exclusive. With an innovative, market-based energy strategy we can both reduce emissions and create jobs here at home."
U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Renton: "President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement is a disastrous move that undermines the most significant global climate change agreement to date. Either the President does not understand or simply does not care about the devastating impact global climate change will bring about. As the world’s second-largest polluter, emitting fifteen percent of global emissions, but with only about five percent of the world’s population, the United States has a moral obligation to reduce carbon emissions. The Administration’s action also shows a disturbing ignorance of our country’s role as an international leader and a complete disregard for the proven science and consequences of a changing climate.
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor. "When I was growing up my soccer coach talked about the importance of being in the game. It's shameful that when it comes to the climate change our world faces, the United States is going from being a captain to riding the bench with only two other countries - Syria and Nicaragua. This is not the time for our nation to step away from the world stage."
U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle: "Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement would be a complete disaster for our cities, Washington state, our country, and the entire world."
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray: "Our country, and our planet, have already paid the price for years of inaction on climate change and our children will look back on this day asking how a world leader could be so callous as to threaten their future. Going backward is not an option, which is why cities like Seattle will fill the void left by President Trump by keeping our commitments to the Paris Agreement. Seattle will pass a resolution affirming this commitment and signaling our readiness to create a cleaner, healthier environment.”
Seattle Councilman Mike O'Brien: "No matter who occupies the White House, cities can be the incubators for the solutions to climate change, and can continue to resist Trump’s planet-destroying agenda.”
King County Executive Dow Constantine: "I never imagined that an American President would make himself the greatest threat to our survival, or leave China and Europe as the best hopes to save our planet. Trump's abandonment of the Paris accords goes well beyond ignorance. It is willful, knowing sabotage of the future. It is arson for profit. It is immoral. But despite Trump, and despite Congressional Republicans' fealty to their fossil fuel patrons, progress will continue at the local level."
By: Neal McNamara
Source: Seattle Patch