Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement after President Trump announced he would withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement:

“President Trump has weakened our nation by withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. His decision to abandon our commitment and isolate our country will have consequences that reverberate for generations.

“No other country has caused more carbon pollution than the United States, and no other country has a greater ability to cut back their emissions more easily today. We have a responsibility to use our economic strength and position of global leadership—which we built at the cost of those emissions—to now lead the world in the fight against climate change.

“The science is clear. Climate change is real and we’re already experiencing the effects. California just came out of the worst drought in a millennium, which was made more severe by climate change. Antarctic ice sheets are collapsing and glaciers that supply fresh water are shrinking. The State Department, the Pentagon and the intelligence community have all repeatedly warned that the repercussions of climate change will destabilize countries and worsen the conditions that foster terrorism.

“In the face of so many challenges, it’s shocking, immoral and a dangerous denial of responsibility to throw away the progress we have already made. The president is turning his back on the global coalition that once followed our lead.

“In the absence of real leadership from the White House, states like California are ready to show our resolve and will continue to work with our international partners to combat climate change. It’s my hope that the global community will keep working to strengthen their commitments under the Paris agreement until the United States is able to rejoin the fight.”

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