The Trump administration on Monday officially notified the United Nations that the U.S. will exit the Paris climate agreement, with the withdrawal to be completed by this time next year, according to a statement issued by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Nearly 200 countries have now signed onto the 2015 pact, pledging to adopt policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat the ravages of global warming that are playing out with devastating effect in virtually every corner of the world.
The U.S., China and India are the three biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Trump’s decision makes the U.S. the only nation to pull out of the agreement.
“The total retreat by President Trump and his administration in the global fight against climate change is the definition of betrayal,” said EWG President Ken Cook. “The U.S. and the world are rapidly running out of time to stave off the worst impacts of climate disruption, while the president is actively working to speed up our collision with the biggest existential threat facing every American.”
