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Dear John,

In recent days, the Trump administration has taken significant actions to slow climate action and hamper international development efforts. Though these changes are unfolding in the United States, the shockwaves are being felt across the globe. The administration has frozen most U.S. foreign assistance, including international climate finance, moved to abolish USAID, and withdrawn from the Paris Agreement on climate change. Domestically, the administration has halted most climate spending and is seeking to rework many government institutions and initiatives. The pace and scope of changes are creating confusion, fear and uncertainty about the future.

Indeed, the United States’ retreat from multilateralism and climate action at home and abroad is deeply concerning. These actions will only worsen the everyday challenges Americans are facing, from high energy bills and food prices to deadly floods and wildfires. And the administration’s moves make America and the world less safe, less strong and less prosperous. ( [link removed] )

Less safe because climate impacts will continue to wreak havoc on American communities, while the causes of conflicts overseas will likely rise as the U.S. disinvests. Less strong as countries lose confidence in the U.S. as a reliable partner and communities are unable to recover from disasters. And less prosperous as the U.S. will miss out on green jobs and the exploding clean energy economy around the world.

The U.S. provides over 10% of the world’s climate finance to countries in need. Halting this finance is not only morally wrong, but also damages U.S. interests. It’s still too early to tell what the U.S. cuts will mean for reaching the $1.3 trillion climate finance target ( [link removed] ) that developing countries need by 2035, but the gap will likely be harder to fill. In this critical year for finance and with aid budgets under pressure everywhere, it’s even more vital we look at how to maximize multilateral development bank finance, international taxes and attracting private finance.

The bottom line is that the administration’s actions will cause significant suffering for people around the world. But we hope the rest of the world will continue to pursue life-saving development assistance and encourage global stability.

WRI is more committed than ever to our work with partners in and beyond the U.S. to build stronger and more resilient, low-carbon economies that are good for people and the planet.

Best,
*Ani Dasgupta*
President & CEO
World Resources Institute

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