(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) released the following statement in response to President Trump's decision to formally withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement:

“President Trump’s climate change brinksmanship threatens the existence of human life on Earth. His decision to withdraw the United States from the breakthrough 195-member Paris Agreement is a dramatic policy U-turn that could prove catastrophic not just for America but for all the people of the world. Given our scientific leadership and technological prowess, the American government should be leading ever more aggressive climate action with allied nations to deal with rising sea levels, vanishing glaciers, record drought and forest fires, accelerating loss of species, and a brutal warming of the planet. Instead, Trump’s climate isolationism leaves us in the rearguard of humanity, clinging to an obsolete carbon economy and ideology as the rest of the world works toward clean energy solutions and green jobs, greener infrastructure, and steady reduction of deadly carbon emissions.

“Choosing carbon barons and climate change denialism over the safety of humanity is one of the most dangerous things President Trump has done yet.

“President Trump should stop sticking his head in the sand. As Neil deGrasse Tyson once observed: ‘The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it.’ Climate change is real, Mr. President, whether you like it or not.

“It’s past time for Trump and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Pruitt to sever the direct line from the White House to the special interests and corporate polluters that are leading America in the professional and ethical disgrace of climate change denialism.

“Left unchecked, big oil, gas, and coal will undermine public health; pollute our air, water and land; and forever change the quality of life on the Earth. I urge the President to let go of corrupt industry delusions, ideological fantasies, and alternative facts. Let’s follow the science, the cold-hard facts about climate change, and rejoin the path to sustainability firmly united with all members of the Paris Agreement.

“I remain committed to working with colleagues and fellow members of the Congressional Safe Climate Caucus to push for progress on this intensifying civilizational emergency. In the 115th Congress, I’ve cosponsored dozens of bills, from the CLIMATE Act (H.R. 1812) to the FRAC Act (H.R. 2012), to advance strong commonsense solutions to combat the effects of climate change. I urge all to stand strong against this Administration and fight for the health and safety of ourselves and generations who will inherit this world.”