Trump says withdrawing from accord is for ‘wellbeing’ of US, these OR reps say otherwise – KTVL

(MGN/EJ Hersom / DoD/Xenja Santarell / CC BY 2.0)

President Donald Trump announced Thursday his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement.

By abandoning the world's chief effort to slow the tide of planetary warming, Trump was fulfilling a top campaign pledge. But he was also breaking from many of America's staunches allies, who have expressed alarm about the decision.

As president, I can put no other consideration before the well being of American citizens, he said.

Local Oregon politicians shared their reactions to the president's announcement:

Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued the following statement President Trump's announced the U.S. withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement:

"Climate change poses the greatest threat to Oregons environment, economy, and way of life. Oregon has a strong tradition of fighting climate change, and we will not back down. The consequences of climate change are already impacting our communities and threaten the long-term sustainability of our natural resource-based economies. Leading U.S. companies recognize the need to address climate change risks and opportunities through the Paris Agreement, and are wisely investing in low-carbon fuels and clean energy technologies to stay on the cutting edge of the global economy.

"It is irresponsible for the president to deny these real-world implications. But I will continue to work with leaders on the West Coast, across the country, and around the world to address the challenge of climate change. While Oregon is a small state, we can play a huge role in finding innovative solutions to preserve our natural resources, reduce carbon, and create a cleaner, and greener energy mix of the future.

Senator Jeff Merkley tweeted the following statements on Twitter:

Senator Ron Wyden issued this statement regarding the U.S. withdraw from the Paris Agreement:

Trumps decision to backtrack on Americas commitment to fight climate change will further damage our environment and leave Americans sicker and poorer. Almost every other country in the world knows that climate change is one of the major challenges of our time and has signed up to do something about it. The United States must be part of the solution and keep its seat at the global decision-making table.

Rejecting the Paris Agreement weakens American leadership abroad and makes it harder for U.S. businesses to compete. By reversing the United States obligation to fight climate change in partnership with the rest of the world, the Trump administration is putting a bullseye on American exporters and the jobs they support.

Trump: U.S. will withdraw from Paris climate accord, try to renegotiate

Trump says that the agreement was not about climate change but instead about other nations gaining financial advantages over the U.S.

He says that he is seeking to create a "level playing field" and establish the "highest standard of living, highest standard of environmental protection."

See more here:

Trump says withdrawing from accord is for 'wellbeing' of US, these OR reps say otherwise - KTVL