The United States' exit from the Paris Agreement on Tuesday weakens global climate cooperation and risks backfiring on the U.S. itself, said Erik Solheim, former UN under-secretary-general and former executive director of the UN Environment Programme.
On January 7, Trump also signed a presidential memorandum formalizing the decision to withdraw from 31 UN-affiliated entities and 35 other global bodies. Among them are climate-focused institutions such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
In an interview with China Media Group, Solheim said the United States is weakening global cooperation and harming its own future by stepping away from multilateral agreements.
"It's a very bad move from the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. We need more multilateral cooperation, not less. But at the end of the day, this will mainly harm the American people, not so much the rest of the world," said Solheim.
He warned that abandoning the global climate framework disrupts systematic climate governance and undermines longstanding cooperative norms, with the U.S. bearing the greatest cost.
"I think the main impact will be on the United States because they are now taking down their efforts in solar and in wind energy and in electric cars. Well, that will make the United States without the ability to compete in the industries of the future," said Solheim.
Solheim also stressed that the United States' retreat from global institutions not only violates international norms but injects uncertainty into global governance.
"That is a completely unilateral American action, it's not in accordance with the UN Charter or any other international law. And the United States has also largely withdrawn from UNESCO, from the World Trade Organization, and from numerous other global instruments. Of course, this is highly disputed also in the United States. We may see under a new president, the United States is coming back, but is creating uncertainty," he said.
US exit from global instruments harms own future: former UN official
A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck northwest China's Gansu Province on Monday afternoon, prompting a swift emergency response and the relocation of hundreds of residents.
The quake jolted Tebo County of the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture at 14:56 Beijing Time on Monday, at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).
Local authorities reported no casualties, though cracks have been observed in several buildings.
More than 20,000 residents were temporarily evacuated to safety, while 280 people have been resettled in temporary shelters.
Key infrastructure, including water, electricity, transportation, and communications, remains operational.
Immediately after the quake, the office of the State Council earthquake relief headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level-IV emergency response. A work group was dispatched to the affected area to support rescue and relief efforts, while provincial rescue teams rushed to the scene.
The Gannan detachment of the People's Armed Police Force activated its emergency plan, deploying 15 officers with 40 sets of rescue equipment to the disaster area to assess damage and eliminate potential hazards.
By late evening, temperatures in Mari Village had dropped below freezing. Despite the cold and limited lighting, armed police officers continued their work, erecting tents for displaced residents.
"We are working efficiently to set up tents as quickly as possible so that the affected people can have a warm place to stay tonight," said Hu Yubin from the Gannan detachment of Gansu Corps of the People's Armed Police Force.
Grateful residents expressed their appreciation to the officers.
"Thank you to the armed police officers for building tents for us. We're really grateful," one villager said.
By 23:50 on Monday, the armed police had assisted local authorities in clearing three collapsed road sections, assessing risks for 34 homes in two villages and erecting 20 tents.
At the epicenter in Waqiong Village, Dianga Town, the earthquake caused wall cracks in multiple houses. More than 50 tents were set up to shelter 195 displaced villagers.
Inside, the tents are equipped with makeshift beds, bedding, and a stove. Emergency supplies such as instant noodles, ham sausages, and bottled water were provided by the government. Local authorities also coordinated with charitable restaurants to provide hot meals, ensuring relocated residents had access to adequate food. Electricity, medical care, and communications remain fully operational at the relocation sites.
Tebo County initiated a level-III emergency response after the earthquake. By 22:00 Monday, over 3,600 personnel, including government officials, police, firefighters, armed police officers, medical staff, had mobilized for a comprehensive search and rescue operation.
All essential living and heating supplies have been secured, and further relief work is underway.
280 people relocated following 5.5-magnitude earthquake in Gansu
