Trump’s Choice for Top Diplomat Must Embrace Spirit of Paris Climate Agreement

WASHINGTON - Amid reports that President-Elect Donald Trump will name Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson secretary of state, Natural Resources Defense Council President Rhea Suh released the following statement:

“The Trump era opens with cabinet picks that put corporate interests first - and put the rest of us at risk. Far from the populist government he promised, Trump has put together a ruling elite of the super rich - an American plutocracy. This puts the job of advancing American interests abroad in the hands of the most entrenched special interest of all: fossil fuel polluters with a business model that imperils the planet.

“While Rex Tillerson acknowledges the growing dangers of climate change and has expressed support for the vital Paris accord, his actions to counter the threat are what truly count. As the nation’s top diplomat, he must embrace the spirit of that agreement: a commitment to shift away from the fossil fuels driving climate change and toward cleaner, smarter ways to power our future. That’s the standard for U.S. climate leadership. The world won’t accept backsliding - and neither will the American people.”

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago; Bozeman, Montana; and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.