Press release - 1 June, 2017
Amsterdam, 1 June 2017 – Denouncing Trump’s decision to abandon the Paris Climate Agreement, Greenpeace International said the decision would cost the US its global leadership position and its share of the economic benefits of the clean energy transition.
Jennifer Morgan, Greenpeace International Executive Director, said:
“Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement will turn America from a global climate leader into a flat earth society of one. It is a morally-bankrupt decision that Trump will come to regret. Global climate action is not a legal or political debate, it is an inescapable obligation to protect people and planet.
“Trump is surrendering US global leadership to real world leaders who are seizing the momentum to protect their country and the climate by transforming their economies to clean energy. We are witnessing a seismic shift in the global order as Europe, China and others lead the way forward.
“Almost 200 countries committed to climate action in Paris and only one has decided to withdraw. This is how far out of step Trump is with the rest of the world. It is the changing of the global guard - as the US bows out, world leaders, CEOs and people across the world can and are moving forward into the future.”
Greenpeace Southeast Asia Executive Director Yeb Saño said:
“This is a day that will be written in history as the day the US, under the administration of President Trump, turned its back on those who needed its leadership, ambition and compassion.
“We in the Philippines are on the frontlines of climate change and will hold the polluters accountable for the suffering and injustice global warming is already inflicting upon our people. We are not alone though. Our global community will take action, and is already taking action, with or without the US government.”
Greenpeace East Asia Senior Global Policy Officer Li Shuo said:
“President Trump is taking his administration in the opposite direction to the rest of the world. While China cancels coal power plants, Trump cancels climate action.
“Trump’s attempt to sabotage the global transition to a safer clean energy future won't succeed. It will only corner the US and present China with an opportunity to reap the economic benefits of America’s withdrawal.”
ENDS
Contacts:
Greenpeace International Press Desk, 
, phone: +31 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)