USA withdrawal from climate accord deeply disappointing - Hazzard

Sinn Féin MLA Chris Hazzard said the decision by the USA to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change is a failure to live up to its responsibilities to the human race and the planet.

The Sinn Féin South Down candidate said:

“This is a step backwards by the Donald Trump administration and hopefully the strength of international opinion can bring the USA back on line.

“While it is not surprising it is obviously disappointing that the second largest greenhouse gas polluter in the world has taken this decision.

“This unilateral action by the USA has thankfully not been followed by similar action by other world leaders who are now even more resolute on climate change. China and India have already achieved reductions of emission surpassing their targets.

“The Paris Accord brought 195 countries together to work collectively to reduce the effects of climate change and it is one of the greatest examples of international co-operation in human history.

“This attempt by the Donald Trump to derail the Paris Accord, between 195 countries, one of the greatest examples of international co-operation in human history, displays his complete ignorance to the facts on how pollution is damaging our planet.

"This will damage the US administration’s credibility on the world stage but thankfully Ireland, the EU, China, and the other signatories to the agreement will defy Donald Trump's right-wing agenda and will remain committed to saving our planet.”