British Prime Minister responds to letter about President Trump

Commentary on 13 August, 2018

President Trump meets with UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, during his visit to the UK in July 2018. (Credit: 10 Downing Street)

On 6 July, 135 members of the climate change research community in the UK wrote to the Prime Minister, Theresa May, ahead of the visit of Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America.

The letter stated: “We believe that the UK Government should challenge President Trump about this policy of inaction on climate change”.

The Prime Minister has responded in a letter today, stating: “I want to reassure you that I have made the UK’s position on climate change very clear”.

The letter states: “We are already seeing the devastating effects of climate change around the world and its impact on a whole host of risks, including food and water security, conflict and instability, and migration”.

It adds: “Our early action on clean growth means that we are well placed to take advantage of enormous potential economic opportunities, and this is a message we are very much taking to US policy makers”.

The letter concludes: “We remain committed to managing the risks posed by climate change and to working with the US to encourage them to play their role in reducing carbon emissions. Ultimately, our nations are safer, more prosperous and more creative when we work together.”

The Prime Minister’s strong words about climate change are in stark contrast to the confused and muddled statements by President Trump on this issue.

Bob Ward is policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the ESRC Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science.