The world reacted with dismay and anger as President Donald Trump issued an executive order Tuesday that dismantled critical U.S. climate policies, betraying the country's international climate commitments.
"If 'America First' means you want to lead, then you can't turn the clock back and rely on a century-old technology.
You're missing the train," Thomas Stocker, a climate scientist at the University of Bern, Switzerland, told the New York Times about Trump's push to reinvigorate the coal industry.
"Whoever tries to change into reverse gear is only going to harm themselves when it comes to international competitiveness," German environment minister Barbara Hendricks told the Times.
Indeed, in recent years China has emerged as a leader in international climate talks, galvanized by public outrage over the toxic smog choking its urban centers.
"Despite all the current geopolitical uncertainties, the world can count on Europe to maintain global leadership in the fight against climate change.
We will stand by Paris, we will defend Paris, and we will implement Paris," Cañete told the Washington Post.
