And Leo DiCaprio gave some advice for all who were shocked and upset by the news.
Take action by supporting these organizations on the front lines of this fight: @IndivisibleTeam @StandUpAmerica @NRDC #ParisAgreement
— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) June 1, 2017
Meanwhile, news organizations provided some helpful context.
Trump will withdraw from the Paris climate deal. We mapped what his climate legacy could look like in 4 cities:https://t.co/H0GeycBxLG pic.twitter.com/lURgIwhKU7
— NYT Graphics (@nytgraphics) June 1, 2017
https://t.co/42GBKLrJlw be trollin' hard pic.twitter.com/g2V3Ao0tw0
— Patrick Klepek 🎃 (@patrickklepek) June 1, 2017
CNN introduced America to our illustrious new group of neighbors.
The US joins Syria and Nicaragua as one of the three countries not in the Paris climate agreement https://t.co/hKGFr7iTWn pic.twitter.com/X9Oe9JVPHl
— CNN (@CNN) June 1, 2017
The only two countries that didn’t sign were Nicaragua, which actually wanted to do more, and Syria, which is the middle of a civil war.
In what must have been one of Trump’s proudest sound bites, he said he was elected to represent Pittsburgh, not Paris. Some people couldn’t resist pointing a couple things out.
“I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris,” says President Trump, who lost Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/plj2ThDg7Q
— Matt Viser (@mviser) June 1, 2017
Including the city’s mayor.
As the Mayor of Pittsburgh, I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy & future. https://t.co/3znXGTcd8C
— bill peduto (@billpeduto) June 1, 2017
Other local and state level government officials also joined in, letting the country know that they’re committed to Paris, no matter what Trump says.
New York City has seen the destructive power of nature in the age of climate change thanks to Hurricane Sandy.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) June 1, 2017
Both New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made sure their city and state knew they were in this for the long haul, as did Gov. Jerry Brown in California.
My statement on @realDonaldTrump’s #ParisAgreement announcement #ActOnClimate https://t.co/XrIpW5d6k7 pic.twitter.com/TYiPIy5CaO
— Jerry Brown (@JerryBrownGov) June 1, 2017
Bernie Sanders also chimed in.
When climate change is already causing devastating harm, we don't have the moral right to turn our backs on efforts to preserve this planet.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 1, 2017
Barack Obama, who signed the agreement back in 2015, called on everyone to do their part.
JUST IN: Former Pres. Obama on Paris Agreement: “In the absence of American leadership…states, cities, and businesses will step up" pic.twitter.com/vXfkFKaI1Z
— ABC News (@ABC) June 1, 2017
“I’m confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way,” the former president wrote.
The message is clear. This was a dumb move, but the Paris agreement — and the hopes and drive behind it — will survive.
The European Union and China as well as numerous American states and cities have all vowed to abide by the plan’s regulations, no matter what Trump does on a federal level. The fact is, the U.S. is already shifting to cleaner fuels and renewables, and solar power now employs more people than coal.
Plus, the Paris climate deal is scheduled to come into force on Nov. 4, 2020. Coincidentally, right after the next Election Day.
