WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 1, 2017) After President Donald Trump today announced that the United States would withdraw from the Paris agreement, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director Kim Glas:

“Withdrawing the United States from the Paris agreement is an abdication of this country’s responsibility to fight the climate crisis and to capitalize on the significant job-creating opportunities in a clean economy.

“The United States should lead the world in driving the significant economic growth and job creation that comes from designing, manufacturing, and installing the clean energy technologies and infrastructure required to reduce the pollution that is driving climate change. This agreement will hold all countries accountable for their emissions, and it is a critical tool at our disposal to create a level playing field for American manufacturers in the race against China and countries in the European Union to build the clean technologies of the future.

“Mr. Trump campaigned on a pledge to revitalize American manufacturing. But by withdrawing from the Paris agreement, the president is ceding jobs to other countries and shirking from the responsibility to address this historic crisis. We urge the Trump administration to reconsider, recommit to the Paris agreement, and leave nothing on the table when it comes to creating good jobs for the American people.”