French President Emmanuel Macron urged U.S. climate scientists during his campaign to move to France, but so far it doesn’t appear that anyone has taken him up on his offer.
Mr. Macron posted a video in February taking a swipe at President Trump on global warming and welcoming to France “American researchers, entrepreneurs, engineers working on climate change.”
“The message for you guys: Please come to France. You are welcome. It’s your nation. We like innovation. We want innovative people. We want people working on climate change, energy, renewables and new technologies,” said Mr. Macron in English. “France is your nation.”
Even though Mr. Macron handily defeated Marine Le Pen in the May 7 presidential runoff, so far no U.S. climate researchers have declared their intention to flee to Paris.
“I have not heard of a single one taking up the offer as of yet,” said Climate Depot’s Marc Morano. “Perhaps the climate scientists here in the U.S. are still enjoying their academic perks, steady funding and endless media adoration. There does not seem to be too much of a reason they would want to leave.”
In the widely viewed video, Mr. Macron warned that Mr. Trump “has decided to jeopardize your budget, your initiatives, as he is extremely skeptical about climate change. I have no doubt about climate change and how committed we have to be regarding this issue.”
Eric Worrall of Watts Up With That, a prominent climate skeptics’ website, encouraged the newly elected French president to make good on his promise.
“President Macron, please take them. Take them all,” Mr. Worrall said in a post. “But be warned, they will expect you to feed them; don’t expect us to pay for their upkeep.”
The 39-year-old Macron, the youngest president in French history and a staunch supporter of the Paris climate agreement, was sworn in Sunday.
The White House has said that Mr. Trump will make a decision about whether to withdraw from the UN-backed accord after the G7 summit in Italy, which is scheduled for May 26-27.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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