President Trump Claims to be Withdrawing from Paris Climate Accords

Administrator Scott Pruitt Speech On Paris Accord

Speech Presented by Scott Pruitt, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, White House Rose Garden, June 1, 2017

Thank you, Mr. President.

Your decision today to exit the Paris Accord reflects your unflinching commitment to put America First. And by exiting, you are fulfilling yet one more campaign promise to the American people.

Please know that I am thankful for your fortitude – courage – and steadfastness as you serve and lead our country.

America finally has a leader who answers only to the people – not the special interests who have had their way for much too long.  In everything you do, you are fighting for the forgotten men and women of America.  You are the champion for hardworking citizens all across this land who just want a government that puts their needs first.

You have promised to put America First in all aspects of your Administration. And you have done that in any number of ways – from trade – to national security – to protecting our border – to right-sizing government here in Washington, D.C.

And today, you have put America First with regard to international agreements and the environment. This is a historic restoration of American Economic Independence – one that will benefit the working class, the working poor, and working people of all stripes.  With this action, you have declared that people are the rulers of this country once again.

It should be noted that we as a nation do it better than anyone in the world in striking the balance between growing jobs and our economy – while also being a good steward of our environment. We owe no apologies to other nations for our environmental stewardship.

After all – before the Paris Accord was ever signed – America had reduced its CO2 footprint to levels of the early 1990s.  In fact – between the years 2000 and 2014, the United States reduced its carbon emissions by more than 18 percent and this was accomplished largely by American innovation and technology from the private sector rather than government mandate.

For that reason – you have corrected a view that was paramount in Paris – that somehow the United States should penalize its economy – be apologetic – lead with our chin – while the rest of the world does little. Other nations talk a good game – We lead with action –  not words.

Our efforts should be on exporting our technology and innovation to nations who seek to reduce their CO2 footprint – to learn from us. That should be our focus versus agreeing to unachievable targets that harm our economy and the American people.

Mr. President – it takes courage and commitment to say no to the plaudits of men while doing what’s right by the American people.

You have that courage – And the American people can take comfort because you have their back.

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Fact Checking Trump’s Paris Agreement Speech

From an Article by Jane C. Timm, NBC News, June 1, 2017

President Donald Trump announced his intention for the United States to leave the Paris climate agreement on Thursday in a lengthy and rambling speech that veered into inaccurate territory several times.

Here are four claims Trump made that don’t hold up.

1. The U.S. can renegotiate the agreement.

“We’re getting out, but we will start to negotiate a deal that is fair. And if we can, that’s great. If we can’t, that’s fine,” the president said.

According to four European nations who released a joint statement Thursday afternoon, renegotiating the deal is not an option.

BREAKING: France, Germany, Italy issue joint statement saying Paris climate accord can’t be renegotiated.— The Associated Press (@AP) 4:47 PM – 1 Jun 2017

The French president said he would not work with the U.S. on climate issues anymore, and all three nations vowed to do more to help developing nations adapt.

“We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris Agreement cannot be renegotiated, since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies,” the leaders of the three nations said in a statement.

2. The agreement tied America‘s hands.

In his speech, Trump painted a picture of a global cabal dictating America’s actions and economy.

“We can’t build the [coal] plants, but [China] can, according to this agreement,” Trump said.

But the Paris accord doesn’t bar America, or any of the 194 other countries that are a part of it, from doing anything. The non-binding agreement allowed countries to map out their own, personalized plans for reducing emissions that cause climate change. The hope was that through peer pressure, diplomacy and negotiation, the countries would grow their commitment to reducing carbon emissions over the years while giving them the flexibility to respond to future variables. The accord carries no penalties should nations miss their targeted carbon emission reductions or simply decide not to comply.

The U.S. vowed to reduce its emissions by at least 26 percent below 2005 levels by 2025, something that could mean less coal for America, but there is no specific limit. Under China’s plan, their emissions would peak in 2030 — indeed allowing them more reliance on coal in the short term — after which a fifth of its energy would come from carbon-free sources.

3. Leaving the accord is a boost for the coal industry.

There is no industry-wide consensus. While some members of the industry cheered Trump’s decision, some in the coal industry actually lobbied the president to stay in the Paris accord, arguing it would better serve their interests long term.

Additionally, while claiming the deal was bad for domestic energy industry, like coal, the president mentioned in off-script comments that there was a forthcoming “big mine opening up, a brand new mine. It’s unheard of; for many, many years that hasn’t happened.”

Whichever mine opening the president is speaking of is not the first in years. A handful of mines have already opened or are in the works this year, though it is of course more rare than it is common. Still others have continued to close, with three coal plants that shuttering today, according to the Los Angeles Times.

4. Promises update.

“One by one, we are keeping the promises I made to the American people during my campaign for president,” Trump said in his speech.

Trump did promise to leave agreements like the Paris accord, and did largely keep his promise with the announcement on Thursday. But he’s also broken a slew of his own promises — he opted not to label China a currency manipulator or leave NAFTA, to name two.

This remark comes mere hours after the White House announced it would not yet move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, something the president swore he’d do right away. In January, he said he “wasn’t the kind of person to break promises” when an Israeli publication asked him about it.

Tagged as: climate change, Earth Day 2016, global warming, greenhouse gases, Paris Climate Accords, United Nations, US EPA