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Date: 2024-03-28 Page is: DBtxt001.php txt00013252 |
The Trump Presidency |
Burgess COMMENTARY |
Donald Trump’s Historic Mistake PARIS – US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will no longer participate in the 2015 Paris climate agreement, the landmark United Nations treaty that many of us worked so hard to achieve. Trump is making a mistake that will have grave repercussions for his own country, and for the world. Trump claims that he will try to renegotiate the deal reached in Paris, or craft a new one. But leaders from around the world have already hailed the agreement as a breakthrough for the fight against climate change, a victory for international cooperation, and a boon to the global economy. That remains true today. DONATE NOW Among the many challenges we face today, climate change is unique in its global scale. It affects every element of life on this planet – from ecosystems and food production to cities and industrial supply chains. Viewing climate change as strictly an “environmental” problem misses the point entirely. We might charitably assume that Trump simply does not understand the implications of his decision. And yet, regardless of what Trump thinks, we know that he is surrounded by advisers who know very well what is at stake. On the campaign trail, Trump promised to create jobs and protect American workers from the ravages of the world. And he signed off his tweet announcing that he had made a decision on the Paris accord with the words, “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” But Trump’s decision undermines every one of these goals, and it goes against the wishes of a vast majority of Americans, including many of his own supporters. By turning his back on the Paris agreement, he is increasing Americans’ exposure to the devastating effects of climate change – many of which they are already experiencing. Moreover, he is undercutting jobs in the thriving renewable-energy and electric-vehicle sectors, which are increasingly employing the very workers he purports to represent. More broadly, Trump has diminished America itself, and abdicated its global leadership role. When I was a member of the French government participating in a global tour to build consensus for climate action – an effort that eventually culminated in the Paris agreement – I experienced firsthand what American leadership can achieve. It is tragic to watch that force for good be subverted by denial and myopia. By burying their heads in the sand, Trump and his advisers must be hoping that reality will simply go away. They have somehow concluded that America will be spared from the droughts already destroying farms in California’s Central Valley, the rising sea levels already flooding coastal cities, the storms and wildfires routinely ravaging vast swathes of the American countryside, and the water- and food-supply disruptions that threaten us all. Other parties to the Paris agreement have responded to Trump’s decision with strength, thus proving the resilience of the agreement itself. The rest of the world will be sad to see an America that has been left behind, owing to Trump’s decision. But we will not wait; in fact, we are already moving on. The world’s response will be clear at the G20 meeting in Germany this July. Already, Europe, China, India, Canada, and Pacific Rim and South American countries have recommitted to the goals of the Paris agreement. These countries understand the dangers of climate change, as do ExxonMobil’s global shareholders, who, just this week, rejected that company’s attempts to ignore the impact of climate change on its business. By placing America in the company of the only two countries that have not joined the Paris agreement – Syria and Nicaragua – Trump’s decision is completely at odds with the current global atmosphere of cooperation. The world’s major economies are reaching new agreements every day to collaborate on research and development, infrastructure investment, and industrial strategy. They are working together to achieve a low-carbon economy, and to make 2020 the year that global greenhouse-gas emissions will have peaked. European leaders are already meeting with their Indian and Chinese counterparts to find areas where they can cooperate on developing clean energy and green infrastructure. Massive investments will be made in these areas, and the European Central Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and many other institutions are devising mechanisms to finance them. Likewise, sovereign wealth funds with immense clout in the global financial system are redirecting their investments toward the green economy. Even the most optimistic among us did not predict that the old fossil-fuel paradigm would change so quickly. But Europe is phasing out coal-fueled energy production. And India, China, and South Korea are rapidly shifting their investments away from coal, and toward renewable-energy sources. Worldwide, the competition is about “who can go green the fastest.” New industries are springing up, at scale, in areas ranging from electrification and smart-grid design to electric vehicles, green construction and recycling technologies, and organic chemicals. The renewable-energy revolution, now spreading at an unprecedented rate, is already transforming entire sectors, not least transportation. In all of these sectors around the world, the excitement and growth potential is palpable. The Year Ahead 2017 Cover Image It is a shame that Trump has decided to shirk America’s global responsibility and turn his back on these developments. His decision is a blow to so many people – including a great many Americans – who have worked hard to be a successful part of the new economy. Still, Trump cannot take all of America with him. State- and city-level climate action is sweeping across the US, increasing in scale and ambition. Trump’s historic mistake represents an obstacle to that collective action; but it can hardly stop it. Just as Chinese companies are now training US coal workers to build wind farms, the rest of the world will continue to work together, and build the markets and workforce of the future. Comment Michael H. JUN 3, 2017 FAKE 'AMERICA FIRST' On May 30, national security adviser H.R. McMaster and director of the National Economic Council Gary Cohn wrote in WSJ: 'The president embarked on his first foreign trip with a clear-eyed outlook that the world is not a “global community” but an arena where nations, nongovernmental actors and businesses engage and compete for advantage.' , and then 'Where our interests align, we are open to working together to solve problems and explore opportunities.' Which means where interests diverge, the US would go alone. In light of Trump's withdrawal of the US from the Paris Accord, the above arguments are not fallacious if and only if the interest of the American people is served by his Paris decision. Giving Trump's track record of defrauding thousands of ordinary American under his fake Trump University, it is hard to see if McMaster and Cohn 's above-mentioned claims has any credibility. READ LESS Reply Comment Craig Nelsen JUN 3, 2017 When it comes to man's impact on the climate, only one statistic matters: Africa is set to surpass four billion people by the end of this century. Anyone who advocates for reduced carbon emissions without addressing Africa's ecological disaster is just blowing hot air. Good for Donald Trump. Reply Comment william starr JUN 2, 2017 There only one way to stop climate change, if it is even possible. Each and every developed country cuts it CO2 emission in 3/4, and developing countries such as China and India to freeze emissions at 2010 levels. Anything else such as the Paris treaties is just 'virtue signaling' among the elite. Comment william starr JUN 3, 2017 I doubt many will die in the developed world and the developing world will have trouble adapting because they are still relatively poor. Malthus and the id1ot in the 60s thought the population was outstripping the food resources, and they were wrong. I remember a few years ago, they talked about 'peak oil', and now it looks like fracking and other energy innovation will make carbon sources last at least another couple of hundred years. In the end, we will just... READ MORE Comment Curtis Carpenter JUN 3, 2017 Eliminating 65% of the world's human population would do the trick too wouldn't it? And we appear to be heading in that direction along a variety of paths any one of which will yield that solution to the climate change problem. Reply Comment M M JUN 2, 2017 People want to have cars but do not wish to pollute, they want to have large homes but do not wish to pollute, they want to have large families but do not wish to pollute, they wish to dine out but do not wish to pollute, they want jobs but do not wish to pollute, they want industries but do not wish to pollute, when one comes and says let us give it a second thought and see how best can one improve matters and make them better, NO , Rules, Rules, etc... it becomes the end of the world, apocalypse. The 'Free Riders' must work with the Trump Team, Industry leaders, the Media, Academics and Scientists must work alongside the Trump Team to find and agree on sustainable, ecological and economical solutions to the already known problems that are faced by humanity and above all 'Politics' and ' Cultural' barriers should be totally removed from any discussion on Climate Change issues. READ LESS Reply Comment Michael Hullevad JUN 2, 2017 Mr. Trump would not pay to the 'green change' and I do not blame him. China and India are building 2400 coal fired power plants. They expected to fund part of the cost with subsidies from the more developed nations. Coal pollutes, even when it is washed. It is a lot better to invest in Thorium nuclear power plants. When the concept has been developed to maturity there will be all the power the world needs, at a low cost. Reply Comment Andrew Thorby JUN 2, 2017 Fortunately for the planet the US is on track to beat the carbon reduction goals and to do so without any government support. Moreover developing nations like India are leapfrogging carbon based fuels and going straight to large scale renewables. Perhaps the greatest irony is that Mr. Trump managed to elevate the global standing of China while simultaneously turning the United States into a global pariah for absolutely no reason. As Churchill so famously said 'It was worse than a mistake, it was a blunder'. Sad as Mr. Trump is so fond of saying. READ LESS Reply Comment Paul Ross JUN 2, 2017 I see the 'it's a bad deal' crowd chiming in. But I ask about fighting the effects of pollution, because climate change is because of pollution, not solar flares: If not us, then who, if not now, then when? We can create the economy of the world for the future, or skulk about pouting about our lost fossil fuel empire... I look forward not back. So does the majority of the world. READ LESS Comment M M JUN 2, 2017 Paul, the number ONE polluters are people, thru their eating habits , lifestyle ( cars, housing, etc..).. Wastage thru consumption, etc... Gas emissions are being emitted by machine or equipment that are manned by humans, what does Trump or his election has got to do with it, a person that has just completed four months in office? And I am not defending him or his actions in any way, shape or form! Comment stephan Edwards JUN 2, 2017 You mean the economy of the world that ships every job that pays a decent wage to the 3rd world where they can pay 2 dollars a day and pollute to their heart's content. Or perhaps you mean the economy of the world that imports H1B's who can afford to work cheaper since they don't have Loans to pay off? I don't know about any lost fossil fuel empires. But you know what I for one am tired of sacrificing for the rest world. I have sacrificed my job, my future my chances of... READ MORE Reply Comment Leo Arouet JUN 2, 2017 Es lamentable la decisión de Trump... La política debe seguir a la ciencia y no al contrario. Menos aún: cegarse ante las pruebas y evidencias del cambio climático. Reply Comment John Landrum JUN 2, 2017 From, 'Goodbye to Paris' by Oren Cass. 'The Accord was doomed before negotiators ever assembled for photographs in December 2015. They were not there to commit each country to meaningful greenhouse-gas reductions; rather, everyone submitted their voluntary pledges in advance, and all were accepted without scrutiny. Pledges did not have to mention emissions levels, nor were there penalties for falling short. The conference itself was, in essence, a stapling... READ MORE Comment M M JUN 2, 2017 Even V. Putin today during his interview which was published by all mainstream media has said: the American Media and Journalists should take a 'pill' to calm the 'hysteria' over Trump! Comment Curtis Carpenter JUN 2, 2017 So are you arguing, John Landrum, that the planet would be better off had the effort that led to the Paris accord never happened? Too many of us by far seem to demand ridiculously simplistic and instant solutions to complex problems. Unlike the Chinese, who still place a high value on patience, we seem to have become the nation that demands instant... READ MORE Comment M M JUN 2, 2017 John, thank you for your post. The Paris Accord was debated at length even here on PS in 2015 and many commentators shared exactly the same views as yours. Reply Comment stephan Edwards JUN 2, 2017 The accord is at best a bad joke...at worst the US getting shafted again. Come on India no cuts, China will starting in 2030 The US will seriously cut before anyone does a single thing. Combine that with let's give more money for the governments of the 3rd world for the most part to steal not do anything with. Let's face the 3rd worlds track record is consistent for stealing aid not using it for what was meant for. On a second note legally this is NOT a Treaty PERIOD. It was not ratified by the senate and a signature from the president does NOT a treaty make not under US law. And for those who claim it was an expansion of the CFFC treaty you cannot change or add to the terms of the treaty at this level without resubmitting it to the senate PERIOD. Whether or not you agree with Trump pulling out or not the fact remains it WAS NOT a legal treaty Obama DID NOT have the legal right to bind the US without the advice and consent of the Senate like it or not that is the law under the US Constitution, If you folks don't like get 2/3rds of the states to change it. 3rdly It was a PR handjob not a serious attempt to address global warming. Even if everything had been carried out has agreed a highly unlikely prospect it would have made a difference of less then 1 degree centigrade not exactly a high bar. READ LESS Reply Comment M M JUN 2, 2017 No more 'Free Rides'. If the other six (6) leaders of the G7 really did care about Climate Change, they would have offered to share, in a fair manner, the burden of the costs but NO they were quite happy with the 'Status Quo' and for the US to shoulder the full costs, liabilities and of course the blame. BO / HC axis made a big mess out of it just to secure what they had thought was their own future and the future of their cronies. The 'Free Riders' must come back to the table and negotiate a 'Fair Deal', rules may be set in stone in the German Elites mind set, but we live in a fast moving world, even stones can be dismantled or broken into small pieces in a relatively short period of time. Instead of putting the blame entirely on Trump, the other G7 leaders should have come up with a sustainable (from all its aspects) and fair solutions for everyone and not only for their self centred, egoistic interests and nothing but! Incidentally, I was one of the very few that had predicted, here on PS, the fall of the Paris Accord and its non implementation in its current form. READ LESS Comment M M JUN 2, 2017 Curtis, does one take it, neither do you? Comment M M JUN 2, 2017 Pundalik, he may be whatever one wants to call him and one can read the figures the way one. likes, the fact of the matter is that Germany, India and China and to,some extent the UK are equally to blame . There are bigger problems connected directly or indirectly to climate change and have got nothing to do at all with Trump (1) the unsustainable level of debts across the globe which is affecting people's lives and health (2) The Projected Retirement savings shortfall across the globe and these are estimated in the hundreds of trillions, yes hundreds of trillions (3) the bad quality of air that we breath as a result of not only gas emissions from vehicles but also due to today's lifestylesnd of course last but not least, the explosion in the number of population, especially in India and China and one sees some difficulty in accepting the reasoning behind the US tax payer funding someone else 's lifestyle in a different country. If politicians and countries were serious and responsible, education starts at home action starts at home, the US has its own homoework to do and Trump did say this in his speech but none of the other countries has come up and said who is going to pay for their plans and how much will it actually cost? READ LESS Comment Curtis Carpenter JUN 2, 2017 I think you know absolutely nothing factual about either the Paris accord or the process by which it was negotiated. Comment PUNDALIK Kamath JUN 2, 2017 US has 5% of world's population but emits 25% . What a shame. This is an act of nothing but greed, and sheer stupidity on the part of this ignoramus president of USA who knows more about 'groping' than science. Reply Comment thomas greaves JUN 2, 2017 This is the opportunity the Liberals have been waiting for: to vilify him by blaming him for the problems the modern world has created. He will renegotiate; that is what he has said. Is anyone listening? Comment Curtis Carpenter JUN 2, 2017 Given Trump's history of failure, what reasons do we have to believe that he will 'renegotiate' a BETTER agreement? Especially a better agreement that serves the interests of the majority of the people (of the country, or of the planet)? He's thrown his own grandchildren under the bus for heaven's sake. What does it take to wake his sycophantic boosters up? Trump, like many narcissists, has started to believe his own bullshit -- ghost written in his case -- that he is some sort of genius negotiator and a grand master at 'the art of the deal.' You appear to be another one that has bought this bit of vanity, despite all the actual evidence to the contrary. His 'better deal' on health care will leave 51 million Americans uninsured for example -- but maybe you count that as a good thing? The international community is starting to accept that Trump can't be trusted to either negotiate in good faith, or to keep his commitments once he's negotiated them. I don't think they have any interest in 'negotiating' with this man any longer. Some will play him to their own advantage -- but the people will pay the price for that, not Donald Trump. READ LES |
LAURENCE TUBIANA
Laurence Tubiana, a former French ambassador to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, is CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a professor at Sciences Po, Paris.
JUN 1, 2017 |
The text being discussed is available at https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/trump-paris-agreement-withdrawal-by-laurence-tubiana-2017-06 and |
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