By AFP - Agence France Presse
PNG calls Trump's decision on climate pact 'morally wrong'
Papua New Guinea's leader called on President Donald Trump on Sunday to rethink his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, calling it “totally irresponsible” and “morally wrong”.
Prime Minister James Marape said he was “very concerned” for his country and other Pacific island nations threatened by rising seas and severe weather patterns.
“I urge President Trump to reconsider his decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement,” Marape said.
“The United States is the second largest carbon footprint holder, behind only China,” he said in a statement.
“The United States is not shutting down any of its coal plants, but deciding to withdraw from current climate efforts. This is irresponsible.”
Marape said that the United States had recently “revitalized” its relations with countries in the Pacific region, where it competes with China's growing diplomatic and military influence.
It was “very disappointing” that the United States was abandoning the climate talks, the prime minister added.
“President Trump has his rights in his Put America First agenda, but he needs to tell us how he will respond to the issue of climate change because science is not lying to us about the warming of the planet,” he said.
“It's morally wrong that he's not sensitive to the issues of global climate change.”
Marape said he would address Trump's decision with other members of the Pacific Islands Forum, a grouping of 18 countries and territories in the region.
Upon taking office on January 20, Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 Paris Agreement, adopted by 195 parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Papua New Guinea is among a group of Pacific countries at risk that have asked the International Court of Justice in The Hague for a legal opinion on countries' obligations to protect themselves against climate change.
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