Why the U.S. Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord is a Mistake

The Trump administration's reiteration of its intent to finalize U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a tragic mistake that will weaken us as a nation. The Paris Agreement is the most realistic approach for all of the nations of the world to positively address climate change. For this reason, the two of us have come together to add our voices in support of this agreement and the importance of continuing U.S. participation. We may seem like an unusual pairing — a former Democratic lieutenant governor from Alaska and a former Republican congressman from Miami. But we see the dramatic changes in our regions and how those changes are already affecting our communities.

From Alaska to Florida and everyplace in between, climate impacts are being felt across our country. In Miami, "sunny day flooding" is a regular occurrence, and Florida coastlines are being pummeled by more intense and more frequent storms. In Alaska, communities that have lived along the coast for generations are being forced to relocate because the ground under their feet is eroding away....