The United States has made a significant shift in its international stance, as President Trump announced on Wednesday the country’s withdrawal from 66 global organizations and treaties. This includes major agreements like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
In a presidential memorandum, Trump stated that continued participation in these organizations does not align with U.S. interests. All executive agencies have been instructed to expedite the withdrawal process.
The decision comes on the heels of the nation’s previous exit from the Paris climate agreement, designed to limit global warming to under 2 degrees Celsius. Experts warn that the latest move could further isolate the U.S. at a pivotal time.
Established in 1992, the UNFCCC aims to combat climate change with nearly 200 countries committing to collaborative efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The absence of U.S. representation at last year’s UN Conferences of the Parties meeting in Brazil, where Gov. Gavin Newsom played a prominent role, already signaled a shift in U.S. engagement.
Gina McCarthy, former director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, criticized the withdrawal from the UNFCCC as “shortsighted, embarrassing, and foolish.” She emphasized that the U.S. was once a leader in global climate efforts, and the move undermines years of progress.
David Widawsky of the World Resources Institute echoed these sentiments, describing the decision as a “strategic blunder.” He noted that withdrawing from this foundational agreement effectively sidelines the U.S. from international climate cooperation.
The U.S. has also exited the IPCC, a key scientific body that informs global climate policy through comprehensive assessments. Delta Merner of the Union of Concerned Scientists warned that while individual scientists might continue contributing, the nation’s ability to influence these assessments is now diminished.
“Walking away doesn’t make the science disappear,” Merner stated, highlighting concerns about increased vulnerability to disinformation and the influence of fossil fuel interests. This decision is seen as weakening critical scientific guardrails at a time of urgent climate need.
Trump’s administration, which received significant support from fossil fuel companies during his campaign, has taken multiple steps to curb climate research, including efforts to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Further, the administration last year dismissed hundreds of scientists working on the National Climate Assessment and removed the climate assessment website.
Other organizations affected by the withdrawal include the International Renewable Energy Agency and the International Solar Alliance. According to Manish Bapna of the Natural Resources Defense Council, the U.S. is the first nation to leave the UNFCCC, a move he describes as perilous, missing out on potential economic opportunities tied to clean energy.
Original Story at www.latimes.com