Pallone & Environmental Advocates Denounce Trump Withdrawal from Paris Accords

Long Branch, NJ — Today in Asbury Park, NJ, Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06), local officials and environmental groups stood in solidarity against President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the historic Paris Climate agreement. Congressman Pallone has been a leading proponent of the Paris Agreement, which is a voluntary accord among nearly 200 nations to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions.

“A report released by NOAA and the non-profit Climate Central earlier this year described a climate change nightmare scenario for New Jersey,” said Pallone. “Rising sea levels could envelop Sea Bright and the other barrier islands. According to that analysis, downtown Brick, much of Keansburg, and the Convention Hall behind me would be overtaken by the sea as well. That’s why President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord is the most dangerous, shortsighted, and negligent decision of his presidency. ”

“New Jerseyans understand that when we defend our environment we are also protecting our safety, public health, and economy. Those who witnessed the destruction of Sandy saw first-hand the impacts of climate change already happening. Abandoning the Paris Agreement jeopardizes our economic future and endangers New Jersey communities.”

The Paris Agreement on climate change is a voluntary accord among nearly 200 nations to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions. Specifically, the Paris Agreement aims to keep the world’s mean temperature from rising by more than 2ºC above pre-industrial levels by the year 2100 — and ideally, contain rising temperatures to 1.5ºC. Scientists believe that keeping planetary warming below this level is necessary to avert the worst effects of global climate change, such as a rising sea level and more frequent extreme-weather events.

"The Administration's decision exacerbates a growing risk that insurance companies are well aware of, and that corporate boards have a fiduciary responsibility to manage,” said Richard Lawton, Executive Director of the New Jersey Sustainable Business Council. “The increasing scope and magnitude of climate related disasters represent growing risks to both individual businesses and entire supply chains - risks that can’t be contained by a wall or avoided by clinging to the past."

“Trump’s understanding and action against the Paris Climate Accord are unlearned and appalling,” said Cindy Zipf Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action. “His actions make a mockery of the USA as a credible and sensible leader for a livable world. His shift to burning evermore fossil fuels will doom the planet to further degradation from climate change. We urge all in the US to reject Trump’s withdrawal and comply with the Agreement.”

“President Trump has got it exactly backwards: there’s no sound economy in our future without a healthy planet. The White House is choosing to ignore the reality of climate change and the destruction it will wreak on places like the Jersey Shore,” said Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey. “If President Trump won’t stick by the U.S. commitment to tackle carbon emissions, then our states, cities and businesses must do so. We will need our next governor to make New Jersey a climate leader again, and shake off the legacy of the Christie Administration’s failure by standing up to these Trump climate rollbacks.”

“Trump’s action will undermine efforts to protect marine life, coastal communities and beach dependent local economies from the devastating impacts of climate change. These are essential parts of our lives along the coast, all of which are endangered by the President’s decision” said Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the American Littoral Society.

According to the New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance at Rutgers “A changing climate and rising sea levels will have a devastating impact on New Jersey’s economy, the health of our residents, the State’s natural resources, and the extensive infrastructure system that delivers transportation services, energy and clean water to millions of New Jerseyans.”

Jeff Tittel (Sierra Club), Ed Potosnak (NJ LCV), Tim Dillingham (Littoral Society) ,Richard Lawton (NJ Sustainable Business Council), Doug O’Malley (Environment New Jersey), and other environmental leaders and local officials attended the event.