WASHINGTON (June 9, 2018)—The G7 leaders summit just concluded in Quebec, Canada, with a communique acknowledging the deep divisions between the U.S. and the other six industrialized countries on a range of issues, including climate change.
President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement—adopted by nearly 200 countries in 2015 and aimed at limiting global climate change—is just one of several examples of how the U.S. has gone rogue from its key allies on major geopolitical challenges.
Below is a statement by Union of Concerned Scientists Director of Strategy and Policy Alden Meyer, who has more than 30 years of experience working on international climate and energy issues.
“President Trump’s wrecking ball approach to international diplomacy left him utterly isolated at the G7 summit. Leaders from the other six countries didn’t even try to paper over their strong disagreements with Trump on trade, climate change and other important issues. On climate change, they made clear their determination to meet their national commitments under the Paris Agreement, and to continue efforts to decarbonize the global economy.
“They are joined by thousands of mayors, governors, business leaders and others who are moving forward with ambitious climate action and pursuing the tremendous economic development and job creation benefits that clean energy technologies provide. As communities across the U.S. confront the costly and harmful impacts of climate change, it’s these leaders—not President Trump—who are acting in the true economic, environmental and national security interests of the American people.”