Placards up high, monuments lit up green to protest US' withdrawal from global climate deal
IANS
Trump's announcement comes less than 18 months of adopting the Paris Agreement, which commits signatories to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. A woman displays a placard during a demonstration in New York on June 1. (Photo | AFP)The US is the world's second largest greenhouse gas emitter after China, so Trump's decision could likely hamper efforts to cut emissions and limit global temperature increase. Environmental activists display placards during a demonstration in New York on June 1, 2017. (Photo | AFP)Stating his decision to withdraw from the climate accord as 'a reassertion of America's sovereignty', Trump said he was 'elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris'.(Photo | AFP)The US President went on to add that he would negotiate a new global deal on climate change. However, he indicated that it was hardly a priority. 'If we can, great. If we can't, that's fine,' he stated. (Photo | AFP)Environmental activists and supporters display placards during a demonstration in New York on June 1. (Photo | AFP)Many world leaders expressed their strong dissent, with France, Germany and Italy going ahead to issue a joint statement that the climate pact cannot be renegotiated. (Photo | AFP)India Prime Minister Narendra Modi --who is due to visit the White House soon -- also commented that failing to act on climate change would be 'morally criminal'. (Photo | AP)Major buildings across the world were seen lit green in solidarity with the climate agreement, like the Angel of Independence monument in Mexico City. In New York, some major buildings, like the World Trade Center and City Hall, were also lit in a similar manner.(Photo | AP)White House officials however acknowledged that under the deal, formal withdrawal may not take place until and after the 2020 election. It needs to be seen how the US would combat the impending crisis, as other nations pledge to stay the course on implementing the climate accord--like the City Hall of Paris, France (in pic) affirming its stance. (Photo | AP)
