French president takes stab at Trump administration with 'Make Our Planet Great Again' grants
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a new set of grants for climate scientists this week, using the moniker "Make Our Planet Great Again" in a dig at President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement.
Eighteen winners were announced on Monday, 13 hailing from the U.S., according to the Associated Press.
The researchers will focus on hurricanes, pollution and clouds.
Macron announced the grants the day after Trump announced his intention to remove the United States from the Paris Agreement.
French President Emmanuel Macron, center, attends the "Tech for Planet" event at the "Station F" start up campus ahead of the One Planet Summit in Paris, France, Monday Dec. 11, 2017. (Philippe Wojazer, Pool via AP)
To be considered, candidates had to be experienced in the climate field, complete a thesis and submit research that would take three to five years to finish, outlasting Trump's first term in office.
The grants will allow the winners to relocate to France to do their research. Tens of millions of euros were set aside for the grants.
“If we want to prepare for the changes of tomorrow, we need science,” Macron said, according to the AP.
In his remarks from a startup linked to climate research in Paris, he said France "will be there to replace" U.S. financing and research.
Monday's event was a precursor to the France Climate Summit on Tuesday, attended by more than 50 world leaders.
Another round of grants will be distributed next year as France and Germany team up for funding.
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