State Dept. Misses Climate Report Deadline

What’s the story?

The State Department had until January 1 to submit the report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The Trump administration has yet to submit the Climate Action Report or commence the public comment period required prior to its release.

Why does it matter?

As PBS explained, "the report inventories greenhouse gas emissions and details progress toward cutting pollution."

The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) has threatened to sue the State Department unless it produces the overdue report. In a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, they write:

"The State Department has failed to submit the Seventh Climate Action Report by the mandated due date, much less issue any statements of the report’s preparation, draft texts, and notifications of public comment opportunities for the report’s final issuance—a process that has, in the past, taken over a year."

Though President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate accord, the administration has committed to staying in the UN treaty. A spokesperson from the State Department told The Hill that it "intends to submit a National Communication to the UNFCCC. The report is under development."

What do you think?

Should the U.S. remain in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change? Do you want the State Department to get moving on the report? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

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—Josh Herman

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(Photo Credit: Creative Commons)