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Panetta concerned about Trump's decision to pull U.S. out of Paris Climate Agreement

June 1, 2017

Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement:

"As the President of the United States, Donald Trump must realize that his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement is a threat to our environmental, economic, and national security. The abandonment of such a landmark climate change agreement undermines our nation's credibility, global leadership position, and the future of our planet.

"As a businessman, the president should know that pulling out of the agreement is just bad business sense. If we continue to refuse to cut carbon emissions, our communities and economies on the central coast of California will continue to feel the extreme effects of climate change. Our agriculture industry will be threatened due to rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and devastating floods. Our coastal communities will see an increase in coastal erosion, sea level rise, and ocean acidification, threatening the Monterey Bay, our coastal tourism industries and properties.

"As chief diplomat, the president should also know that this decision threatens our credibility abroad. People around the world look to the United States for our enlightened and bold leadership. But this decision, a politically-driven fulfillment of a campaign promise, is bold for the wrong reasons. It will further strain our relationships with our European allies, and place us on the wrong side of history when addressing climate change.

"Finally, as a father, the president should know that backing out of this agreement means backing out of our obligation to our children to fight climate change. Last year, world leaders came together to address a problem that will have long-lasting impacts for our children and grandchildren. Despite the President's bad decision, I will continue to support actions by local and private entities to combat climate change, and policies to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Panetta's office said the "landmark 195-signatory Paris Climate Agreement would significantly slow the progress of global warming by slashing carbon dioxide and other emissions from the burning of fossil fuels." Under the Obama Administration, the United States committed to reducing its emissions by 26 percent to 28 percent from 2005 levels by 2025.

Issues:Environment