Trump makes the wrong decision on Paris accord

President Donald Trump’s announcement that the U.S. will exit the Paris climate accord is a missed opportunity and a failure of leadership. With the rest of the world moving toward finding cleaner and more efficient sources of power, we face the choice of joining in and building our renewable energy industry, or falling behind economically and failing to lead the world in the right direction.

Participating in the Paris accord would be an economic win — both for U.S. industry and for citizens across the economic spectrum. Fee and dividend — carbon fees paid back directly to households — has the potential to cut carbon emissions while saving money for most citizens. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson supported this approach when he was leading Exxon, and his stockholders of his former employer are calling for more disclosure of climate costs (“Exxon Shareholders Approve Measure on ClimateChange Report,” May 31). It’s unfortunate that these arguments failed to sway Mr. Trump’s thinking on the Paris accords. HARRY HOCHHEISER

Squirrel Hill

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representatives in Congress continue to stand silent in light of this latest outrage (this means you, Sen. Pat Toomey and Rep. Tim Murphy)? Fellow Pittsburghers, stand up and be counted! RICHARD A. FINBERG

Mt. Lebanon

Donald Trump’s decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate accord was totally predictable. If he had not, he would have made a sizable portion of his base unhappy, and this is the one thing he will absolutely not do irrespective of the consequences. Never mind that the accord would have been in the best interests of the United States and of the rest of the world.

Even putting aside the deleterious effects this action will have on the environment, this action will hurt our economy. The CEOs of most major U.S. industries (even Exxon) understand this and have advocated that we stay in the Paris Agreement on climate change. Both our solar industry and wind power industry employ more people than are employed in our coal industry. And these industries (unlike coal) are growing. Our leadership in renewable energy is put in jeopardy and will be transferred to China and Germany. These countries will be only too happy to reap the jobs and treasure that we foolishly hand them.

Mr. Trump’s rationale for his action was full of half-truths and untruths. But, of course, this is what we have come to expect of him.

When he said he represents Pittsburgh, I can tell him unequivocally that he sure does not represent me. MARVIN FIELDS

Oakland

How are we to interpret Kathy Griffin’s behavior (“CNN Sacks Kathy Griffin Over Gruesome Trump Video,” June 1)? Was she just joking? Or was she making a real, albeit symbolic, threat to the president? Perhaps that’s how we should treat it. Maybe we should imprison her, make an example of her, send a message that terroristic threats such as these that aren’t spoken but nonetheless expressed are not tolerated. I wonder. ADAM DiSABATO

Monroeville

We currently have five living former presidents who represent both major political parties. How can these men remain silent about the disgusting and disrespectful picture depicting Kathy Griffin with the bloody head of Donald Trump (“CNN Sacks Kathy Griffin Over Gruesome Trump Video,” June 1)?

She should be jailed for a long time for proposing terrorism. Those former presidents would not have tolerated such a display about themselves, and they absolutely should not tolerate it about the man now holding the office of president of the United States. The complicity of the former presidents and the media is appalling. CAROL HICKMAN

Green Tree