Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has submitted a formal notice that the United States is withdrawing from the Paris climate deal. That process is expected to take a year. Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen says withdrawing is not a good move. He says the U.S. has no plan in place to deal with climate change and needs to be a leader in that area.
He says prior to getting involved in the Paris climate accord, the U.S. had an opportunity to address climate change with agriculture taking a leadership role by sequestering carbon, instituting beneficial farming practices and utilizing conservation.
Hansen says the House earlier approved cap and trade climate legislation but the Senate voted it down. In submitting his formal notice, Pompeo said the Paris Agreement put an unfair economic burden on the United States. Hansen says that’s not being responsible.
The Paris Agreement rules prevented any country from pulling out in the first three years after the November 4, 2016 ratification. The U.S. withdrawal just become complete until the day after the 2020 election.
