Dealing with climate change is important for all countries. Parts of the US — including Alaska, Florida and the Southwest to name a few — are extremely vulnerable to climate impacts. A global failure to deal with climate will hurt millions of Americans, but a successful global response is impossible without the US Global success requires cooperation. As one of the richest countries in the world, with some of the highest levels of technological innovation, US skills and knowledge are essential for managing this challenge.

Pulling out of the Paris agreement would be extremely detrimental to our international reputation. Similarly, eliminating domestic policy plans would also devastate the ability for American negotiators to work cooperatively with other countries. Already there are long-standing tensions and questions about the American commitment to climate action.

Cumulatively the US is the single largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Breaking a promise by pulling out of this agreement or by removing domestic regulations would profoundly erode international trust in an arena in which collective action and cooperation is crucial. Under President Trump’s intended climate and energy policies it would be almost impossible to ask other countries to cooperate. Under this plan the US will sacrifice any form of leadership or authority it has had on the climate agenda.

Other countries, like India and China, are taking action regardless of the US and this is creating new opportunities for them. By explicitly blocking all innovation opportunities relating to a rapidly changing low-carbon economy, the US will miss out on leading these new businesses. China and India are seriously investing in renewable energies and strategies for supporting economic growth that are less resource intensive.

President Donald Trump’s plan systematically disadvantages young Americans as other countries will continue to innovate toward a low-carbon economy, while the US only looks backward.

Failing to take climate change seriously creates two profound domestic damages. First, millions of Americans are vulnerable to climate change impacts – including permanent flooding; destruction of land; lack of water; and increased health risks – and this is going to get worse.

Abandoning the climate agenda essentially equates to abandoning the physical security of Americans located in climate-vulnerable communities. Second, responding to climate change is creating opportunities for new technologies and businesses. Failing to create steady leadership in this area makes it more difficult for US entrepreneurs and businesses to invest in these areas, resulting in an accumulation of lost economic opportunities. Without climate action, future generations of Americans will be worse off both environmentally and economically.

(Based on a interview of Sonja Klinsky, Senior sustainability scientist and assistant professor at Arizona State University)