Trump pulls out of Paris climate accord: Here's why Silicon Valley's anger is justified
US President Donald Trump controversially pulled out of the Paris climate agreement on Thursday (July 1). The news has dealt a major setback to the combined efforts of the international community which is trying to tackle the problem of global warming. Trump's decision has not just shaken environmentalists, but has also left businesses and industries across the globe concerned.
The US president's announcement of the withdrawal was made at the White House's Rose Garden, where he tried to justify the move, saying it was taken to protect the "interests of the United States". The not-so-reluctant hero further added that it was his "solemn duty to protect America and its people".
However, such explanations have not gone down well with most. From leading world leaders to influencers in the tech industry, all have rejected Trump's decision to "betray the planet".
Here's how they reacted:
Silicon Valley disappointed
Since the announcement, in separate statements, CEOs of major tech firms expressed "disappointment" at the withdrawal as they declared global warming an "urgent threat" that needs to be taken care of.
Disappointed with today’s decision. Google will keep working hard for a cleaner, more prosperous future for all.
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) June 1, 2017
Microsoft — which along with 21 other companies had earlier sent an open letter to Trump, urging him to not back out from the accord — showed "steadfast support" for the Paris agreement as it expressed disappointment with the "White House's decision”.
The sentiment was also echoed by Apple, which termed the decision as one "not in favour of the planet."
Decision to withdraw from the #ParisAgreeement was wrong for our planet. Apple is committed to fight climate change and we will never waver.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 2, 2017
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg also reacted to the news, claiming that the move will be bad for not just the climate but also the economy.
But the flak didn't stop there. Tech giants were joined by a vocal supporter of the cause for climate change – Elon Musk – who tweeted to inform that he would be leaving Trump's business advisory council to help US businesses protest against the withdrawl.
Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2017
Musk also dropped a hint at his disaproval of Trump shifting the blame towards India and China. He retweeted:
Under Paris deal, China committed to produce as much clean electricity by 2030 as the US does from all sources today https://t.co/F8Ppr2o7Rl
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2017
India commits to sell only electric cars by 2030. It is already the largest market for solar power. https://t.co/EGBNTPzmE5
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 1, 2017
In a statement, IBM, too, said that it “supported and still supports US participation in the Paris agreement”. However, it's CEO Ginni Rometty has decided against quitting Trump’s business advisory council.
Trump's decision bad for US economy
The strong reactions across board- including oil producers, the tech sector and finance - stands in stark contrast to Trump's statement that portrayed the decision to pull out as a needed measure to protect the interests of the United States' economy.
If not highlighting Trump's lack of understanding of the climate change problem, the contradicting stance taken by the tech industry to the POTUS's statement does at least show that the recent decision needs immediate corrective measure.
But for what it's worth, the US tech industry's decision to stand together and slam the government's decision taken to "protect their interests" was not only to protect the environment, but also their own interests. The decision to pull out is counter-productive for the US economy as it hurts its chances of remaining a world leader in the field of science and technology.
As a former US envoy explained in a conversation with Sputnik that Trump's decision "removes the United States from leadership in science and technology on what is clearly a major growth sector in the global economy — green industry, climate change mitigation, and remediation".
It should be clear that the decision to pull out leaves the US not just in league with those opposed to science and technology, but also hampers chances of ability to compete in technologies that address a challenge common to humankind.
From electric cars to renewable energy, there are billions to be made for tech firms from across the globe, and if Trump can move past his campaign promises and shortsightedness, he might still be just able to contain the damage.