House Vote for Paris Climate Agreement is Little More Than Nothing at All

Today the House of Representatives will pass a bill that would require the United States to remain in the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement, and adhere to its terms. In anticipation, Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter has issued the following statement:

"This action from the House is better than no action at all, but not much better. Given all that's known about the severity of the climate crisis we face, and the urgent, aggressive action required to stem it, this legislation is merely symbolic. The latest science is clear: In order to adequately address deepening climate chaos, we must transition completely to clean, renewable energy generation in little more than a decade. The terms of the Paris accord aren't low-hanging fruit, they're fruit that has fallen to the ground and begun to rot.

"Any meaningful response from Congress to the climate crisis we face must include a quick halt to new fossil fuel development, including bans on oil and gas exports, and drilling and fracking on federal lands. Anything less cannot be considered part of a real solution."