U. S. Formalizes Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement

On Monday, November 4, the Trump administration officially notified the United Nations of its plan to leave the Paris Climate Agreement. November 4, 2019, was the first day permitted under the agreement’s rules when the United States could begin the process of withdrawal, and the earliest that the U.S. can leave the deal is November 4, 2020 — one day after the 2020 presidential election. President Trump made it clear that his plans had not changed, telling an audience in Pittsburgh in October that staying in the climate pact would have the effect of “shutting down” American energy companies while allowing foreign firms to “pollute with impunity.” Trump first announced his intent to leave the accord on June 1, 2017.

— American Association for the Advancement of Science Policy Alert, November 5, 2019.