US to Officially Withdraw from Paris Climate Accord

The United States (US) has informed the United Nations (UN) on Monday that it will officially withdraw from the Paris climate accord, taking the first formal step in a year-long process to leave the landmark 2015 agreement, according to a State Department official said.

US President Donald Trump has decided to press ahead with the pullout despite mounting evidence of climate change reality and its effects.

On Monday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that he submitted a formal notice to the UN. His statement touted America’s carbon pollution cuts and called the Paris deal an “unfair economic burden” to the U.S. economy.

“America is noticing the reality of the global energy mix, and is using all energy and technology resources cleanly and effectively, including fossil fuels, nuclear and renewable energy,” Pompeo said, stressing that it will continue to offer a realistic and practical model in international climate negotiations.”

Noteworthy, President Trump has been promising withdrawal for two years, but Monday was the first official step.

Many environmental experts, activists, and critics including former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg have condemned Trump’s decision, describing it as a “reckless failure”.

The issue of addressing the climate crisis has already emerged as a top campaign issue for many 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, and the timing of the US withdrawal will likely keep the issue at the forefront.