With the election results still unclear, it’s undeniable that climate change has been an issue of importance to US voters . Acknowledging those issues of importance, acknowledging the voice of US voters, begins with protecting the integrity of elections – every vote must be counted. We must now all hold steady and ramp up the public pressure to demand that every vote is counted.
That’s why we’re joining forces with groups and millions of people across the world, because each of us has a role to play in defending democratic systems and fighting back against voter suppression. For us to build and strengthen our movement for the climate, we need strong and responsive democracies.
The next four years will play a critical role in the fight to tackle the climate crisis. The United States is the second-largest emitter worldwide and its promised emissions cuts accounted for about 20 percent of global reductions. We are calling on leaders across the world to call for a fair and transparent process at this crucial time
For the world, a US exit from the Paris climate deal will weaken its enforcement measures and undermine the resolve of other countries to make their own tough cuts. One of the world’s largest economies backsliding could arrest the efforts already underway to mitigate the changes in climate that are causing extensive damage to lives and livelihoods. On the global stage, a lack of leadership on climate from the US also risks sabotaging other areas such as trade, human rights
The Paris agreement, forged after decades of negotiations, holds 197 countries accountable for reducing heat-trapping pollution that is driving the climate crisis. Only a handful have not ratified the deal, including Turkey and Iran. And whilst the Paris Agreement is a step in the right direction, it falls well behind the measures needed to keep temperatures to 1.5.
The US withdrawal has huge implications for the rest of the world in terms of tackling the climate crisis. The US leaving the Paris climate agreement demonstrates what’s at stake for the world. What we need now is all hands on deck for global climate leadership.
If the US exit from the Paris climate deal became permanent, it would threaten to further weaken its enforcement measures and undermine the resolve of other countries to make their own tough cuts.
One of the world’s largest economies further backsliding could seriously jeopardize the efforts already underway to mitigate the changes in climate that are causing extensive damage to lives and livelihoods. On the global stage, a protracted lack of leadership on climate from the US also risks sabotaging other areas such as trade, human rights.
Whatever the final result of the election, don’t count the United States out. Despite the U.S. federal government officially leaving the Paris Agreement, there are millions of Americans who reject this regression, are committed to climate justice, and are demanding that the US as a whole – including cities, states and banks- uphold the goals of Paris and go beyond. We must redouble our efforts and focus on bringing down the pillars of support of the fossil fuel economy in the US and globally and fight for our right to a clean, safe, abundant and just future.
Whilst global governments have stumbled to bring the overarching action needed to tackle the climate crisis, across the globe a huge and diverse movement, demanding climate justice and bold climate action is growing and setting forth a clear, collective vision. The vast majority of people want social and economic transformation rooted in a transition to renewable energy sources, including seven out of ten US voters; now our elected officials must build the political will, step up to the people and the planet.
350.org 501 (c3) is a non-partisan nonprofit organization and as such this press statement is not an endorsement of any candidate
