Reactions to Withdrawal from Paris Climate Accord
Reaction has been swift and decisive on many fronts regarding President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord. Several key HVAC industry associations, including ASHRAE, AHRI and USGBC have all issued statements. Aeroseal’s CEO Amit Gupta weighed in with his thoughts as well, regardless of the future of the USA’s participation in this, or any future, climate accord…
We all have a responsibility to live life more efficiently, not because someone is mandating it… but because it is the right thing to do. The world’s resources are, in many cases, finite and limited, so it is in everyone’s best interest to use those resources in the most responsible and efficient way possible. In the end, progress is made by companies such as Aeroseal and the individuals who work here, when our common goal is to leave the world a better place than we found it. That is the essence of responsible growth.
ASHRAE
“Our member-established mission underscores our mandate to serve humanity and create a more sustainable world,” said ASHRAE President Tim Wentz. “ASHRAE is a global Society of 57,000 dedicated professionals in more than 130 countries, committed to reducing the environmental impact of buildings by making them more energy efficient. Our mission will not waiver as geopolitical tides rise and fall.”
“Now, more than ever, ASHRAE affirms its mission to advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world,” Wentz says.
AHRI
Stephen Yurek, President & CEO of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) gave the following statement:
“The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) today stressed that the President’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord will not change the commitment of the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and water heating industry to energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.”
USGBC
Mahesh Ramanujam, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), issued a statement, in part:
“For 24 years, USGBC has led the green building movement with a strong vision—that buildings, communities and cities will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within this generation. Today, our efforts continue unabated and with commitment and hope that’s stronger than ever.
“We are facing an important crossroads, and America must keep building. We need to keep building bridges and bonds and breaking barriers in the push for a sustainable future for all. Although the pullout of the U.S. government from the Paris Agreement will be felt across the world, the surge of climate commitments and actions by the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, governments, cities and states will only serve to strengthen the green building movement and keep pushing us forward.”