French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel walk to the Hotel San Domenico during the Summit of the Heads of State and of Government of the G7 | Filippp Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images Trump makes Europe (feel) great again Europe’s mainstream politicians vow to stick to their guns on Paris and work even harder to save the planet.

Donald Trump just accomplished the impossible — a united Europe.

The spectacle (and specter) of his chaotic presidency has already given the Continent’s establishment a powerful weapon in the battle against populism, helping centrist, pro-EU politicians ride to victory in a string of elections from Austria to France.

Trump’s decision to ditch the Paris climate deal only cements his reputation in Europe as a danger to the planet, transforming Europe’s newfound air of superiority into a full swagger.

At a time of deep tensions within the bloc over matters large and small, the need to fight climate change is the one issue just about everyone can agree on. Even far-right parties have embraced green themes, recognizing the broad societal consensus.

At a time of deep tensions within the bloc over matters large and small, the need to fight climate change is the one issue just about everyone can agree on.

For Europe’s political establishment, the beauty of Trump’s move is that it further unnerves the Continent’s citizens who are confronted almost daily with updates on the Earth’s pending doom. And nervous voters tend to cling to the center.

Europe’s mainstream politicians seized the moment on Thursday, vowing to stick to their guns on Paris and work even harder to save the planet.

“Paris is not dead,” German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks declared, a sentiment that was echoed across the region.

Hendricks is right, of course, just not for the reasons she meant.

The irony of the Trump move is that it may end up having little impact on the environment.

And not only because, as European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker pointed out Wednesday, leaving will take years.

The main reason is that the president’s power over environmental policy is limited. U.S. states have a strong voice in this arena and in many cases, such as in California, have even stricter standards than Washington. The administration’s decision to leave Paris will have no impact on those regulations.

What’s more, carbon emissions in the U.S. have been falling anyway, and not only because of regulation.

Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. dropped by nearly 15 percent over the past decade amid a shift from coal to natural gas and renewables. The fracking boom in the U.S. in recent years has led many utilities to shift investments into cleaner burning, more efficient gas-fired turbines.

Renewables, meanwhile, have also taken off. The fastest-growing job description in the U.S. over the past four years? Solar-panel installer.

While the renewable increase has largely been driven by subsidies that could be cut under Trump, the states also play a role here and offer their own incentives.

What’s more, economic reality — rather than environmental idealism — is what’s driving the renewable push in the U.S., suggesting the boom could continue with or without Paris.

In Europe, meanwhile, which styles itself as the world’s ecological conscience, the picture is murkier than many realize (or want to acknowledge).

Germany’s troubled “energy transformation,” which is designed to wean the country off fossil fuels by mid-century, has caused a spike in coal emissions. Because coal is cheaper than natural gas in Germany, energy producers have relied on coal-burning plants to compensate for the loss of atomic power under Berlin’s nuclear phase-out.

The fastest-growing job description in the U.S. over the past four years? Solar-panel installer.

Renewables account for about one-third of electricity generation in Germany, but coal makes up nearly 40 percent.

As a result, Germany’s carbon dioxide emissions rose slightly in 2016 for the second consecutive year. Many energy experts say Germany is now unlikely to meet its 2020 emissions targets.

German officials insist the increase is only temporary and will be reversed as its energy shift evolves.

Trouble is, no one knows for sure how long that will be. The country has yet to complete a planned power-line corridor to transport electricity from the north, where most of the renewable generation is, to the south, where much of the Germany’s industry is based.

Thanks to the American president, no one is really paying attention.

Though largely symbolic, Trump’s position on climate allows Europe to trumpet its environmental commitments while papering over its shortcomings.