'Civil society aghast over US decision to leave climate deal'

Scientists in the UK have said that the "civil society is aghast" at the US decision to withdraw from the landmark Paris climate deal.
Professor Tony Ryan, Director of the University of Sheffield Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures said despite the announcement, it is vital that researchers continue to work with colleagues in the US to build the evidence base for climate change and develop mitigating technology.
He was among the scientists from the university who were present at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015 along with world leaders, politicians and policy makers.
Ryan said: "This recent announcement leaves the civil society aghast, but at the same time safe in the knowledge that President (Donald) Trump's view is not representative of either his great country or the rest of the world".

"We will continue to work with our colleagues in the USA to build the evidence base for climate change, develop mitigating technology and work to decarbonise the economy through renewable energy generation, storage and distribution.
"It is encouraging to see the cities and states of the US uniting in their aim of fulfilling the Paris Climate Accord, whilst the rest of the world progresses to a low carbon future led by the ultimate superpower - the sun," he said.

Leading academics and PhD students from the university's Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures and Energy 2050 attended the Paris conference in 2015 to share their research and expertise on food security and sustainable energy.

This added to the evidence base that helped secure the global deal to prevent global temperatures rising more than two degrees above pre-industrial levels.
The centre is a hub of outstanding interdisciplinary research and innovative sustainability solutions.
The research conducted at the centre focuses on two immediate issues: 'Enough for everyone' - making sure that people everywhere have enough clean water and nutritious, safe and appropriate food as well as reliable, affordable and clean energy to meet their needs.
'Reducing global consumption' - slowing the depletion of natural resources and emissions of greenhouse gases, to make sure that society's needs are met without compromising the needs of future generations.

The centre was launched after the university was awarded 2.6 million pounds from Jeremy Grantham - a world-renowned investment manager and co-founder, with his wife Hanne, of the Grantham Foundation. The university's Energy 2050 institute is one of the UK's largest energy research institutes.
Matthew Bilson, Programme Director of the Energy 2050 said: "The Paris Agreement was the culmination of years of negotiations by governments across the world.
"Its success gives companies and innovators a clear vision for developing new energy technologies and low-carbon solutions to transport and cities. By withdrawing, President Trump will cause uncertainty and confusion for American businesses - damaging American industry, thereby having exactly the opposite impact he hoped for".

The world will still need steel, and cement, and glass, but with commitment, investment and innovation, these industries can also move to a low-carbon future, Bilson said.