Dozens Of U.S. Mayors Defy Trump And Promise To Commit To The Paris Climate Agreement

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Even though Donald Trump announced he would pull the United States out of the landmark Paris climate accord, at least 68 mayors across the country pledged to defy the president and commit to the agreement.

In a powerful statement, the group of city leaders wrote, “We will intensify efforts to meet each of our cities’ current climate goals, push for new action to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target, and work together to create a 21st century clean energy economy.”

The full letter:

The President’s denial of global warming is getting a cold reception from America’s cities.

As 68 Mayors representing 38 million Americans, we will adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement. We will intensify efforts to meet each of our cities’ current climate goals, push for new action to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target, and work together to create a 21st century clean energy economy.

We will continue to lead. We are increasing investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. We will buy and create more demand for electric cars and trucks. We will increase our efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, create a clean energy economy, and stand for environmental justice. And if the President wants to break the promises made to our allies enshrined in the historic Paris Agreement, we’ll build and strengthen relationships around the world to protect the planet from devastating climate risks.

The world cannot wait — and neither will we.

While Trump’s decision to pull from the historic deal is a serious blow to American credibility and global efforts to combat climate change, leaders from across the country are proving that one man without any grasp of reality – even if he’s the president – will not hijack the global effort to tackle this growing threat.

Trump may continue to live in a fantasy world in which climate change is a Chinese hoax and coal jobs will come roaring back, but the rest of the country is showing that they will not sit on the sidelines. Instead, they will find new ways of making a difference and advancing this effort where it matters – on a local level.

As the group of mayors said on Thursday: “The world cannot wait.”

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Sean Colarossi

Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.

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