CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire’s Democratic congressional delegation harshly criticized Republican President Donald Trump for withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate change accord on Thursday.
They said the decision ignored the impact that climate is having on the Granite state and other areas and that it cedes the leadership role on containing greenhouse gas emissions to other countries, including China.
“This decision is a devastating blow to America’s global leadership with grave implications for New Hampshire and future generations,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said in a statement. “Climate change is not only a direct and growing threat to New Hampshire’s environment and economy, but to our national security as well.”
Sen. Maggie Hassan, meanwhile, called Trump’s decision “reckless” and said the decision would threaten “America’s long-term economic growth, the health of our citizens, and the well-being of the planet that we will pass along to generations to come.”
“The President’s decision is out of step with environmental and business leaders across the nation who have spoken out about the value of the Paris Agreement, and it will jeopardize our clean energy industry, which is creating high-quality jobs and boosting economic growth in New Hampshire and across the nation,” Hassan said in a statement. “His decision also undermines America’s global leadership and is at odds with the Department of Defense, which has clearly stated that climate change is a threat multiplier around the world.”
U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster and Carol Shea-Porter also criticized the decision, with Shea-Porter calling it a “historic and calamitous error” that ignored the desire of most Americans.
“Climate change is a global threat that requires an international solution, and the President’s decision to abandon an agreement signed by every country in the world except Syria and Nicaragua will alienate our allies, who are already questioning American leadership after the President’s recent comments abroad,” she said.
Nearly 200 nations, including the U.S., agreed in 2015 to voluntarily reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Trump was critical of the deal during his campaign and had been considering whether to remain in the pact. The U.S. had agreed under former President Barack Obama to reduce emissions to 26 percent to 28 percent of 2005 levels by 2025 - about 1.6 billion tons.
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