Statement from United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) Executive Director Rachel Bowen Pittman on U.S. Decision to Withdraw from the UN Paris Agreement

CONTACT:

Sarah Hopkins
shopkins@unfoundation.org

Chandler Green
cgreen@unfoundation.org

On behalf of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), a program of the United Nations Foundation, UNA-USA Executive Director Rachel Bowen Pittman today released the following statement on the U.S. administration’s request to withdraw from the UN Paris Agreement:

“The administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement will have devastating impacts for our country and our world.

“The United States has always been a leader in global progress and innovation. Retreating from multilateral agreements threatens American communities—many already at risk from the effects of climate change—and diminishes our influence around the world.

“I know firsthand that Americans of all ages, races, political beliefs, and socioeconomic backgrounds disagree with this administration’s position on climate change. Americans are aware of the threat it poses to our collective future. I spent the last month leading 20,000 Americans across the country to come together in communities and on college campuses in support of strong U.S. leadership to address climate change. UNA-USA members sent thousands of letters to federal lawmakers in the past few weeks, urging their representatives to publicly oppose the President’s plans to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.

“Even though the administration has begun the process to officially remove the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, Americans everywhere are rising up to demand bold climate action from our federal, state and local governments. Today, UNA-USA remains committed to the ideals set forth in the historic Paris Agreement – the future of our world depends on it.”

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About the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA):

The United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) is a grassroots movement of Americans who support the vital work of the United Nations in U.S. communities, colleges, and Congress. For more than 75 years, UNA-USA and its national network of 20,000 members and 200 chapters have promoted strong U.S. leadership at the UN through advocacy campaigns, youth engagement, outreach programs, and public events. Learn more.