(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes released the following statements regarding President Trump’s signing of an executive order that moves to formally withdraw the United States from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which for over thirty years has served as the primary global forum for reducing harmful greenhouse gas pollution and addressing climate change:
Governor Lamont said, “Once again, the Trump administration is ceding U.S. leadership on one of the consequential issues of our time. Withdrawing from this group surrenders our country’s ability to influence the trillions of dollars in financial investments and policy decisions that will keep people safe from a changing climate and shape the world’s economy for generations to come. America’s voice should be at the forefront of this global effort, guiding and helping to shape the clean energy transition and making our communities more resilient. We remain committed to the U.S. Climate Alliance and will continue to do our small part to protect Connecticut residents and provide for a safe and prosperous future.”
Commissioner Dykes said, “Like it or not, climate change is real and we’re dealing with the effects here in Connecticut and throughout the United States. Excessive flooding, drought conditions, and wildfires are causing loss of life, putting residents and first responders at risk, and costing us in the hundreds of millions of dollars. This is a global, existential problem that requires an active and engaged United States leading the way. Despite this unfortunate decision, we’ll continue to do our best to help Connecticut communities prepare and adapt to these changing climate risks, while also working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Despite this action from the Trump administration, Connecticut remains a member of the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of states and territories advancing state-led, high-impact climate action. Connecticut joined the alliance in 2017.