The decision by Donald Trump, the United States President, to pull out of the Paris Agreement on climate is in fact a boon of sorts. Not only for the Fijian Presidency of COP23 but also for the American people.

Mr Trump pulling America out of the Paris Agreement places the US alongside Syria and Nicaragua as the only countries to reject the deal.

This is the opportunity for prominent Americans to take centre stage in advancing the interests of those Americans who are not oblivious to the dangers of climate change, those who do not see climate change as a hoax.

This was seen when Jerry Brown the Governor of California signed up as the special envoy for states and regions for COP23.

And there is a theory making the rounds in the climate change circles that more of the private sector and the American people are now taking an interest in climate change as a retaliation to the stance of their President.

So, Trump’s denial of climate change is actually helping us. More in the American private sector including fossil fuel companies have stepped up the fight against it.

ExxonMobil, an American multinational oil and gas company released this statement:

“Our position on climate change

“We have the same concerns as people everywhere – and that is how to provide the world with the energy it needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“The risk of climate change is clear and the risk warrants action. Increasing carbon emissions in the atmosphere are having a warming effect. There is a broad scientific and policy consensus that action must be taken to further quantify and assess the risks.

“ExxonMobil is taking action by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its operations, helping consumers reduce their emissions, supporting research that leads to technology breakthroughs and participating in constructive dialogue on policy options.

“Addressing climate change, providing economic opportunity and lifting billions out of poverty are complex and interrelated issues requiring complex solutions. There is a consensus that comprehensive strategies are needed to respond to these risks.”

And not only for Americans. English business magnate, investor and philanthropist and the founder of the Virgin Group Richard Branson has thrown in his support behind the cause. He presented more than a million signatures in the form of a petition during the Ocean Conference which was co-hosted by Fiji and Sweden in New York.

So, Trump’s denial is not the denial of the American people. And, we will see more evidence of this in the weeks to come.