CNMI climate advocates say Trump withdrawing from the Paris Agreement was expected. Photo: AFP / Jim Watson
President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, which curbs greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change, has drawn the ire of environmental champions in the CNMI.
Friends of the Mariana Trench chair and Mariana Islands Nature Alliance 2023 Environmental Champion Award winner Sheila Babauta said while Trump's move was expected, it was still unfortunate.
"I was not surprised when I heard the news," Babauta siad. "Now, it's really a matter of seeing how this will unfold because it can affect us in a number of ways here in the CNMI."
Babauta, a former CNMI lawmaker, said the withdrawal from the accord can result in fast-tracking processes and bypassing regulations meant to protect the environment.
"If that's the case, we may want to address federal environmental regulations preventing us from practicing our culture and building homes.
"It can also look like more economic interest from China to invest in our 'Green Economy,' or it can look like reduced federal funding for environmental programs."
Babauta said the withdrawal can really play out in many ways the CNMI government can't predict.
"We must simply be prepared to advocate for ourselves, and I know we can do that. We are a frontline community. This means we directly experience the impact of climate change, from stronger typhoons to receding shorelines.
"That is our lived reality, and we can't deny that. As Pacific islanders from a large ocean state, we are deeply connected to our home, our land, and our ocean. And we understand the importance of protecting this way of life for our children, grandchildren, and future generations.
"At the end of the day, I have faith in our people and local leaders. We love our home, and that's one thing we can all agree on," she said.
'Era of climate colonialism'
Angelo Villagomez, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington, who hails from Saipan, said it's disappointing that Trump is weakening the position of the United States in the world and ceding leadership on climate to geopolitical rivals.
"I'm very concerned that this action puts the concerns of oil companies and the president's billionaire backers ahead of those of Pacific islanders," Villagomez said.
"Trump is creating a new era of climate colonialism.
"If the United States isn't going to help the Pacific Islands deal with sea level rise, the loss of coral reefs from more acidic oceans, more powerful cyclones, fish changing their migration patterns due to warming waters - and if the US is not even going to admit that these threats exist - our leaders out of necessity are going to look to other countries for support," he said.
Villagomez emphasised that climate change is here and Pacific islands are the most vulnerable.
"Five years ago, Super Typhoon Yutu crashed into the southern end of Saipan with sustained winds of 175 mph and gusts of 190 mph. It was the second strongest storm to ever strike the United States and caused $800 million in damage.
"The storm killed two people, left thousands homeless, and tens of thousands without power for months.
He is hopeful that Pacific Islanders will continue to be leaders on climate.
"It was visionaries like the late Tony DeBrum from the Marshall Islands who helped form the High Ambition Coalition of 100 rich and poor nations to secure the 2015 global agreement to limit Earth's warming to 1.5 degrees," he said.
For her part, MINA executive director Roberta Guerrero said at the end of the day, it's this generation children and grandchildren who will bear the brunt of the US exiting the Paris agreement.
"Words are not enough. I have 19 grandchildren who will see the extinction of the beachfronts and natural resources in our lagoons that my children grew up with," she said.
"It's not just heartbreaking but irresponsible, and selfish.
"I'm not even sure that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has any power over decisions that come out of the White House."
An opposing view
The Friends of the Mariana Trench Advisory Council chair Floyd Masga, who is the current acting director of the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, has an opposing view.
"While the agreement aims to address global climate change, critics argue that it places undue burdens on certain countries, including the US, while others fail to meet their commitments.
"President Trump highlighted concerns about the agreement's potential to harm US industries, cost jobs, and disadvantage the economy relative to nations that do not fully comply.
At the same time, he said the US has implemented various initiatives to address environmental concerns independently of the agreement, including some executive orders signed by Trump.
"The broader question remains whether global climate agreements like the Paris climate accord can balance environmental protection with national interests, ensuring economic stability and job security while addressing climate change effectively."
