Yesterday was disastrous for the eco-movement. POTUS Donald Trump made the horrific decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate agreement. The U.S. now joins Nicaragua (who’s out of the accord because they don’t think the pact goes far enough in trying to prevent disastrous climate change) and Syria as the only other major developed nations out of the Paris Climate Agreement.
This abominable decision by Trump is a complete failure on multiple levels. The United States has now ceded its position as leader of the free world.
Trump: I was elected to represent Pittsburgh, not Paris
Pittsburgh mayor: We voted for Clinton w/ nearly 80% of vote https://t.co/a1D7oyLA6t— CNN (@CNN) June 1, 2017
Elon Musk leaves the presidential councils due to Trump withdrawing the US from the Paris Accord. #ParisAgreement #climatechangeisreal pic.twitter.com/q3bdRCvtm5
— Holly O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) June 1, 2017
The rest of the world is looking down on us, and rightfully so. The outdated electoral college gave us an inexperienced leader with no intellectual curiosity.
A leader who appointed the biggest climate enemy possible, Scott Pruitt, to head the EPA. Trump’s cataclysmic decision was not supported by a single major corporate leader. Not one major CEO signed off on this.
The March For Science Chicago released an official statement, and joins the March For Science network’s statement, on the United States Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.
Here is that Paris Agreement statement:
Science was ignored today. More than 60,000 Chicagoans, and over one million people across 600 cities globally, who marched in support of evidence-based policy were ignored.
The decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement stands in stark opposition to the overwhelming scientific consensus that climate change is real, it is caused by human action, and it is an active threat to communities across the United States. This decision not only cedes America’s role as a leader in the fight against climate change, but also betrays vulnerable communities. The elderly, low-income individuals, and indigenous populations across the country will be most impacted by the effects of climate change.
Made without a Presidential science advisor?—?a position that remains unfilled?—?and against the advice of economic advisors, this decision is deeply troubling for science advocates and scientists. Protecting America and its citizens, agriculture, economy, and jobs means fighting climate change. It means staying in the Paris Climate Agreement.
At March For Science Chicago, we urge our leaders in both Chicago and Illinois to join the cities, states, countries and businesses around the world to affirm the commitments of the Paris Climate Agreement, and to take evidence-based action to continue the fight against climate change as a global threat to public health, global economies, and national security. Our city and state now have an opportunity to rise and lead these national efforts.
We ask all the scientists, science advocates, and concerned citizens of Illinois to have your voice heard:
Thank Mayor Rahm Emanuel for committing Chicago to the principles of the Paris Agreement.
Send Governor Rauner a letter demanding action for Illinois. Tell him join our voices and support the principles behind the Paris Agreement and fight climate change.
Together, united, let’s get loud. Let’s support the Paris Agreement.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud, LinkedIn and YouTube