President Trump said he was going to do it, and he did. Thursday, he pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord. Now, his decision is drawing a lot of criticism globally and locally.
"President Trump is ignoring the impact of climate change and here in Maryland that's going to result in an increase in flooding, shoreline erosion and increase in pollution," Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, said.
The president kept a major campaign promise by choosing to leave the Paris Accord, joining Syria and Nicaragua as the only countries not a part of it.
"The Paris Climate Accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries," President Trump said Thursday.
The agreement has more than 190 countries committed to cutting greenhouse-gas emissions in an effort to combat climate change. The president wants to increase fossil fuel output in an effort to revive the coal industry.
"This is not disengagement. The president has indicated that there is going to be continued discussion and engagement around a deal that works for this country," said EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt.
President Trump also slammed the treaty saying it's not good for the American economy. Though many Maryland politicians are focusing on how the move will negatively affect Marylanders, the decision won't affect offshore wind projects.
"It's disappointing on a national and international front it has little to do with anything that will happen on clean energy here in Maryland," Liz Burdock of the Business Network For Offshore Wind said.
That aside, leaders working for streamlined environmental reform aren't happy with the president's choice.
"It is disappointing internationally that the U.S. is not going to have a leading role in combating climate change," said Burdock.
President Trump slammed the international treaty, saying it is bad for the American economy, but opponents say that is short-sighted.
"While President Trump may not care about protecting the environment for future generations I know that Marylanders do," Kamenetz said.
Several world leaders, including Pope Francis are against leaving the accord. A withdrawal from the deal won't happen overnight. The U.S. has to wait three years before it can withdraw then wait another year for that to take effect.
