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President's Decision To Leave Paris Accord Draws Criticism From National Park Advocates

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President Trump's decision to withdraw the nation from the Paris Agreement on climate change drew concerns for the National Park System and speculation that more wildfires will flare up in Great Smoky Mountains National Park/NPS file photo

President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate change accord is drawing criticism from park advocates and businesses tied to national parks, as well as pledges to reduce carbon footprints and praise for states that are focused on renewable energy.

“It’s another setback, essentially. It’s just another indication of the lack of commitment towards addressing climate changes," Kristen Brengel, the vice president for government affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association, said Friday. "Parks are the places where people can actually see the visible impacts of climate change. In many of the policy decisions that have been made up until this point, we’re basically pulling back on proactively addressing carbon and promoting dirty energy sources like coal. Not moving forward with the Paris agreement is just another indicator for our lack of commitment for addressing climate change.”

At Vail Resorts, Inc., which manages the Grand Teton Lodge Company that manages properties in Grand Teton National Park as well as a portfolio of ski resorts, Chairman and CEO Rob Katz said the president's decision wouldn't sway the corporation from working to reduce its carbon footprint.

"We are deeply saddened by the decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. As a global company, Vail Resorts believes we have a unique responsibility to protect the incredible natural landscapes and environment that surround our mountain resorts and those across our planet.," he said in a release. "Climate change is a global challenge that requires global cooperation, and it is disheartening to see the United States pull away from working with the other 194 countries that were part of the Agreement. Vail Resorts will redouble our efforts to find significant ways to minimize our carbon footprint through reducing our energy use to help address one of the most serious challenges facing our worldwide community."

At the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, President and CEO Ron Tipton took heart in that "10 of the 14 states that are home to the A.T. have set aggressive renewable energy portfolio goals and others are expected to find the need to take action in the absence of federal leadership. The ATC will continue to develop solid climate change related policy with our recently hired director of Federal and Legislative Policy."

Mr. Tipton cast a dim outlook for how continued climate change would impact the trail that stretches from Maine to Georgia and is used not only by long-distance thru-hikers but by section hikers and those out for a weekend meander or day hike.

"In the coming years visitors will likely have to cope with higher temperatures, dried-up streams and more forest fires similar to the devastating fires in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2016," he wrote in a letter to A.T. supporters. "For now, water availability isn’t a vital problem, but if those supplies dry up, it will present an entirely different and punishing challenge for those seeking to enjoy the A.T. During the 2007-2008 drought, portions of the Trail in North Carolina had to be closed — was that an unusual event or a harbinger of the future?"

Back at NPCA, Ms. Brengel said it was good to see that the National Park Service's web pages on climate change remained intact and that the agency was continuing its work to address climate change.

“But this constant pursuit by the administration to look for ways to defund climate research and reduce regulations that protect our air, it’s an extremely disappointing direction to head in and it will have dire consequences," she added. “No one should be proud that we’re pulling out of the Paris Agreement. This is disappointing and disheartening. It’s definitely a sad day for parks.”

Comments

Grizz- The predictions haven't been wrong?  Tell me, has the Artic ice cap melted out?  Gore made the claim it would happen by 2013 or 2014 based on AGW theories.  Its 2017 and we aren't even close. 


Yes, Dumb, thousands and thousands


EC, Al Gore is not a climate scientist. Scientists make predictions that change will likely be within certain high and low limits and then give probabilities. As new information is found, they revise their estimates. Gore tends to take the high estimates, and that is a mistake on his part.

Beach, or do you prefer Dumb? As Rick says, yes, thousands and thousands. We are not talking about just climatologists. Most scientists all around the world accept that the climate is warming and it is being caused by greenhouse gases from human activity. We are talking about biologists, botanists, zoologists, atmospheric physicists, physicists in general, planetary scientists, oceanographers, fisheries biologists, glaciologists, entomologists, biochemists, marine biologists, etc. etc. If you want to read the real science, go to your nearest university and take a look at the science journals in the library.


Al Gore is not a climate scientist

Correct, but he made his statements based on "scientists" predictions.  Those scientists were wrong.  

How about the predictions of more and more severe hurricanes.  How has that worked out?  Answer, its been wrong. 



Oh, EC, what a gotcha question. Read the real science and then come back and cite peer reviewed scientific articles on the subject and then we can have an intelligent discussion.


Gotcha?  The prediction was made based on AGW models.  The outcome was nowhere near the prediction.  There is nothing gotcha about it. It is fact.  And it is ony one of a long string of inaccurate predictions.

Have there been more and more servere hurricanes?


"Never argue with an idiot.    They will only bring  you down to their level and beat you with  experience."
-- George Carlin


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