Trump may be the best thing that ever happened to the planet 12:33 PM ET Wed, 7 June 2017 | 00:55

I am both devastated and oddly ecstatic about President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. While the decision is deeply troubling, it may turn out to be the best thing that ever happened for the planet.

In Trump's first few months in office, he has done more to catalyze and motivate the private sector than Hurricane Katrina or Sandy, or the work of talented environmental organizations put together. Trump's latest decision will activate the private sector like we've never seen before.

For years, we trusted that government would act in our best interests, protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink. We have relied on regulations to guide our actions and then made business decisions accordingly, allowing the role of the private sector in years past to focus largely on creating shareholder value.

The Trump presidency marks a new era. As citizens and business leaders, it is now up to us to take the future into our own hands and create the change we want to see.

The private sector and governments around the world understand that the impact of withdrawing from the Paris Agreement translate to financial risks and costs for business and therefore for our country.