I still can't quite believe what has happened in the US. The sense of utter devastation is overwhelming and it hurts.

A xenophobic, dangerous, misogynist is set to be leader of the most powerful country on Earth. A man who mocks disabled people and whose hatred for Muslims and Mexicans has been worn as a badge of honour. Today is a dark, dark day.

I know that women in the US, and people of colour, migrants, LGBT people and many others will wake up today in a country they fear is set to be run by a man who has waged a war of the airwaves against them.

For those of us who are concerned about climate change – and that should be every single one of us – Trump’s election is truly a hammer blow to the work we’ve been doing. Slowly but surely, countries across the world have been moving forward and working closer together on climate change, and now the most powerful nation on earth is to be led by someone who denies that the earth is warming. In fact, he believes that “the concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make US manufacturing non-competitive.”

Jeremy Corbyn reacts to Trump victory

Trump has said that he wants to scrap the major regulations that President Obama put in place to reduce US carbon dioxide emissions, including the Clean Power Plan. Most devastatingly, just a week after the Paris Climate deal became law, the US has elected a President who wants to pull out of it.

Collective global action on climate change is now inevitable: it is happening right now in Marrakech. Trump could seriously slow this down, with catastrophic consequences for some of the poorest people in the world who will suffer the worst effects of climate change.

Make no mistake, Trump presents a genuine threat to some of the poorest people in the world who will suffer the worst effects of the climate crisis.

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In the face of such darkness it is tempting to hide away from it all and pretend that this is some sort of nightmare. I have no doubt that forces in Britain will now use this as a moment to reinforce their own worldview of a smaller country, with high walls surrounding us. And those very same people will argue that our own fight against climate change here is somehow futile.

But we must not slip into fatalism. Britain could now begin to lead the world on climate change – working closely with our friends in Europe. What better response to Trump’s election than showing him that investing in renewables makes economic sense and strengthens energy security – whatever his views on climate change.

With states like California and New York pursuing their own ambitious climate policies, there is hope that the US might still meet its climate obligations.

President Donald Trump life in pictures Show all 16 1 /16 President Donald Trump life in pictures President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump poses in a rocking chair once used by President John F. Kennedy at his New York City residence Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump with his new bride Marla Maples after their wedding at the Plaza hotel in New York Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Celina Midelfart watch the match between Conchita Martinez and Amanda Coetzer during U.S. Open. She was the date whom Donald Trump was with when he met his current wife Melania at a party in 1996 Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas serving as the grand marshal for the Daytona 500, speaks to Donald Trump and Melania Knauss on the starting grid at the Daytona International Speedwa Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Developer Donald Trump talks with his former wife Ivana Trump during the men's final at the U.S. Open Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and his friend Melania Knauss pose for photographers as they arrive at the New York premiere of Star Wars Episode : 'The Phantom Menace,' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire real estate developer Donald Trump talks with host Larry King. Trump told King that he was moving toward a possible bid for the United States presidency with the formation of a presidential exploratory committee Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump answers questions as Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura looks on in Brooklyn Park. Trump said on Friday he 'very well might' make a run for president under the Reform Party banner but had not made a final decision Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump makes a face at a friend as he sits next to Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso before the start of the 2003 Miss Universe pageant in Panama City Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Entrepreneur Donald Trump is greeted by a Marilyn Monroe character look-a-alike, as he arrives at Universal Studios Hollywood to attend the an open casting call for his NBC television network reality series 'The Apprentice.' Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Simon Cowell present an Emmy during the 56th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump and Megan Mullally perform at the 57th annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump, poses with his children, son Donald Trump, Jr., and daughters Tiffany and Ivanka Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Billionaire Donald Trump told Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner on Tuesday she would be given a second chance after reported misbehavior Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures Donald Trump holds a replica of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as his wife Melania holds their son Barron in Los Angeles Reuters President Donald Trump life in pictures U.S. property mogul Donald Trump stands next to a bagpiper during a media event on the sand dunes of the Menie estate, the site for Trump's proposed golf resort, near Aberdeen, north east Scotland Reuters

I will never believe that people are inherently closed-minded or insular, but I do believe that people, the world over, are scared and angry – and are kicking back in ways that nobody predicted. The establishment has been dealt near-knockout blows in both the US and Britain – only to be replaced by even more reactionary forces. By people more than willing to use the politics of hate to divide us.

I have a message for those people who will try to stir up hatred and fear. Where you try and divide us we will stand firmer together than ever before. Where you try and pitch our communities against each other, we will build stronger bonds between ourselves and our neighbours. And where you try and reject the science, and condemn the world to catastrophic climate change, we will do everything in our power to stop you.

This is no time to mourn – instead we must organise like never before to keep our communities cohesive and our climate safe. On this dark day we extend the hand of friendship to people in the US who wake up in fear. Solidarity is a popular word, but we have to make it mean something. It’s at times like this when we need to unite, learn, resist and hope more than ever before. Today, in whatever ways we can, let’s light a candle rather than curse the darkness.