Climate Justice Groups: Paris Agreement Withdrawal is Deeply Misguided

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From USCAN Fossil Fuel Phaseout Campaign

Press contacts: 

Olivia Alperstein – olivia@ips-dc.org

Valentina Stackl, valentina@priceofoil.org

Washington, D.C. — With President Donald Trump expected to announce the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord in his first week of the Presidency, frontline community members and allied climate justice advocates are responding with outrage. 

Trump’s objective for leaving the agreement is to disengage from global climate cooperation and dodge U.S. accountability as the world’s largest historic polluter and the largest producer of oil and gas. This is an egregiously irresponsible act, even though the Paris agreement framework is flawed.  

Specifically, the Paris agreement is not legally binding, does not include funding for lower-income countries to cut their emissions, and does not address the continued production and use of fossil fuels, which are the main driver of the climate crisis. It includes a provision called Article 6 that creates a global emissions trading system, which is neither just, nor an effective emissions reduction tool.

However, the Trump administration’s decision to exit the agreement for all the wrong reasons does nothing to fix its flaws. It exempts the U.S. from having to face even minimal international accountability for its actions. To make up for the profound irresponsibility of the federal government, state and local governments must  step up their efforts for just climate action by phasing out fossil fuels, while ensuring a just transition for affected communities and workers.

Sim Bilal, Co-Director, Youth Climate Strike Los Angeles:
My home is burning—Los Angeles is on fire. Entire neighborhoods are choking on ash, lives are being lost, and over 130,000 have been displaced in a single week. Now is not the time to backtrack on global initiatives aimed at setting us on a pathway for a livable future. Despite the many flaws of the Paris Climate Accord, Trump’s decision to withdraw is an act of negligence that does nothing to address the root causes of the crisis. It undermines even the minimal international accountability that has been hard-fought for by frontline communities worldwide.

In Los Angeles, the effects of the climate crisis are undeniable—we are living it right now, our neighbors are disproportionately impacted, especially BIPOC and low-income communities. Trump’s decision leaves millions of us more vulnerable while failing to reduce emissions or halt the use of fossil fuels. For the youth and frontline communities, this is a betrayal of our future.

Roishetta Ozane, Founder and Director of Vessel Project of Louisiana: 

Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a grave mistake that undermines global efforts to combat climate change. It sends a troubling signal to the world about America’s commitment to our planet’s future. Frontline communities here at home and abroad are dealing with the impacts of the climate crisis everyday, from hurricanes, and freezes to wildfires. Enough is enough. We need a leader who puts people first.

Lidy Nacpil, coordinator of the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development:

Trump’s withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement is not a surprise. A repeat of his 2017 criminal act, he is again condemning the world to climate catastrophe. As the world’s biggest polluter bearing responsibility for 20% of global cumulative emissions, the US should not be allowed to avoid its share of climate action. This is an urgent challenge not only to US citizens but to the whole world.

Dean Bhekumuzi Bhebhe, Senior Just Transitions and Campaigns Advisor, Powershift Africa:

Earth’s breach of the 1.5°C threshold in 2024 is both a wake-up call and a dire warning. We are accelerating toward uncharted climate chaos. With Trump set to assume office again, his plans to abandon the Paris Agreement threaten to derail global climate progress. For Africa, already enduring record-breaking droughts, this undermines critical efforts to protect lives. However, one man and one election may temporarily cloud the horizon, but they cannot halt the relentless momentum of climate action. If anything, such moments are an invitation for historically polluting nations to step forward, not with the rhetoric of obstruction, but with the deeds of redemption. The world is watching, and we’ve seen enough bluster, now it’s time for genuine action. The stakes are no longer abstract, lives are being lost every day. 

Ife Kilimanjaro, Executive Director, U.S. Climate Action Network:

The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is deeply concerning. It undermines global efforts to combat the climate crisis and jeopardizes the future of our planet. However, regardless of this setback, the U.S. Climate Action Network will remain steadfast in our commitment to addressing the climate crisis. We will continue to advocate for bold climate solutions, support frontline communities, and work tirelessly towards a just and sustainable future for all. 

Basav Sen, Climate Policy Director, Institute for Policy Studies:
The Paris climate accord is deeply flawed, but regardless, Trump’s announced plan to leave the agreement is reprehensible. 

The agreement relies on voluntary pledges, and does not address the root causes of the climate crisis. But that’s not why Trump wants to pull the US out of the agreement. Instead, it’s because he and his administration do not care about cooperative global action to avert climate catastrophe, and want to recklessly expand fossil fuel production. 

In response, we demand that state and local governments accelerate the phaseout of fossil fuels, while planning for a just transition for impacted communities and workers.

Ilka Vega, Executive for Economic and Environmental Justice, United Women in Faith:

As people of faith, United Women in Faith urges the administration to uphold our nation’s commitment to the Paris Agreement. Turning our backs on the climate crisis would abandon the most vulnerable – marginalized communities, women, children, youth, and future generations – who are already disproportionally suffering the devastating consequences of climate change in the US and worldwide.

Those of us living in the US-Mexico borderlands have witnessed firsthand how global warming forces people to flee their homes in search of safety. Militaristic responses worsen the crisis, ignoring the root causes of migration while perpetuating inhumane treatment of migrants and refugees, while also generating more emissions.

We must choose a different path – one of compassion, justice, and recognition of our interconnectedness with the global community. We need real, humane solutions that address the climate crisis at its roots, prioritize the most vulnerable, and uphold the dignity and worth of every individual.

Sheelah Bearfoot, Environmental Health and Justice Program Manager at Poetry for Planet:
The Paris Agreement is not without its glaring flaws, most notably the carbon markets and other false solutions on the settler states’ Amazon wish list that is Article 6. However, the US pulling out, yet again, is a deeply concerning decision, especially when we think of the ripple effects this may have on other international climate legislation that the US shapes. It indicates that the Trump administration sees even this bare minimum, colonizer-centric commitment as too radical, all while LA is quite literally a flaming hellscape showing us what all our futures look like if we do even less to combat the climate crisis. So while not surprising, this is nonetheless flat-out unacceptable. Trump may as well be personally pouring gasoline on our lands and tossing in a lit match.

Reverend Michael Malcom, Executive Director, People’s Justice Council:
The United States made a promise to clean up its mess. What started off as procrastination has now become flat out disregard and disrespect. By withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, Trump has told the world that we don’t care. Now is the time for those of us who have a conscience to stand up and let them know that he does not speak for us. We who are committed to fight for our future and the future generations to have a liveable home will continue to fight for it. We will work to shift us to pay our fair share for global climate justice. 

Katie Huffling, DNP, RN, CNM, FAAN, Executive Director, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments:

Nurses are deeply disappointed in the Trump Administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. As one of the countries that has contributed the most to climate change, this decision shows a blatant disregard for the countries and populations most at risk for health impacts from climate change. As the urgency to act on climate to protect the health of our patients, communities, and future generations increases, the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments will continue to resist efforts that reverse action on climate and threaten public health.

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