Trump Administration Pulls Out of Key Global Environmental Organizations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a dramatic broadside against global cooperation, the Trump administration signaled that the United States of America was departing from more than 60 international forums, treaties, and coordinating bodies focused on some of the most pressing environmental, climate, health, wildlife, and security issues. In addition, the administration signaled its departure from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which is the formal treaty for global climate talks.

Following is reaction from Yamide Dagnet, senior international vice president at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council): 

“Today, we are witnessing a complete shift from global cooperation toward transactional relations. It is becoming less about shared principles, rule of law, and solidarity, thereby risking more global instability. By choosing to run away from addressing some of the biggest environmental, economic, health, and security threats on the planet, the United States of America stands to lose a lot. With diminishing credibility and competitiveness in the industries of the future, the United States will be missing out on job creation and innovation, ceding scientific and technological leadership to other countries.

“The world is bigger than the United States—and so are the solutions to our problems, which require global cooperation more than ever, including among states, provinces, and cities globally. This is the moment when world leaders need to resolutely commit to multilateral collaboration if we’re going to overcome these global threats to ensure a safe and sustainable future for all. 

“The stakes and mistakes are resounding. Even though the United States will be able to rejoin the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), and many of these essential bodies in the future, and be a participant with a seat at the table, the damage is done. Regaining the nation’s mantel of leadership will be difficult.”

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).