Trump Administration Undercuts Paris Climate Accord

Leading Jewish organization denounces pulling U.S. out of global climate agreement as irresponsible, jeopardizing millions in developing world

NEW YORK, NY – American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading global Jewish organization advocating for people in the developing world who are bearing the brunt of the catastrophic effects of climate change, is deeply opposed to President Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the historic Paris Agreement.

Climate change is already placing a disproportionate burden on vulnerable communities around the world, generating severe storms, flooding, droughts and famine. “The longer the U.S. denies climate change and fails to take responsibility for its outsized contribution to global warming, the greater the risk posed to the entire world, especially the poorest people on Earth,” said Robert Bank, President and CEO of AJWS.

The historic Paris Agreement set out a path for concrete global cooperation and action to combat climate change. Today’s decision undercuts the agreement and undermines American credibility and leadership on the world stage. “President Trump has broken America’s promise and put the United States government on the wrong side of history, spurning our partners in combating climate change and abandoning the world’s most vulnerable communities,” said Bank.

AJWS supports activists in more than 100 indigenous and local communities in 13 countries around the world who are battling the disproportionate impact of climate change on their communities. “The people we support are truly on the front lines of the fight against climate change,” said Bank. “They include small farmers in India, whose crops are being destroyed by extreme and unpredictable weather, coastal villagers in Haiti, whose homes were washed out to sea by Hurricane Matthew, and communities in Kenya and Uganda absorbing waves of refugees escaping the severe famine in East Africa.”

“We stand proudly as Jews who cherish the Earth to object in the strongest terms to the President’s shortsighted and damaging decision,” said Bank. “As American Jews, we will continue to raise our voices in solidarity with the people worldwide who have done the least to cause global warming but who suffer the most.”

 

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About American Jewish World Service

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is the leading Jewish organization working to realize human rights and end poverty in the developing world. AJWS defends civil and political rights, advances sexual health and rights, promotes climate justice and aids communities in the aftermath of disasters. We pursue lasting change by supporting grassroots and global human rights organizations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and by advocating for U.S. and international policies for justice and equality worldwide. Learn more at www.ajws.org.

 

For More Information

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