US alliance of states upholding Paris deal
SAN FRANCISCO — The US Climate Alliance, launched by three states in the wake of President Donald Trump’s announcement to withdraw from the Paris agreement on climate change, has expanded to include a total of 13 members.
Co-chaired by Governors Jerry Brown of California, Andrew Cuomo of New York and Jay Inslee of Washington, the alliance said Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia have joined the coalition.
“The president has already said climate change is a hoax, which is the exact opposite of virtually all scientific and worldwide opinion,” said Brown. “I don’t believe fighting reality is a good strategy — not for America, not for anybody.”
In addition to convening US states committed to achieving the US goal of reducing emissions 26-28 percent from the 2005 level and meeting or exceeding the targets of the federal Clean Power Plan, the alliance will act as a forum to sustain existing climate programs, promote the sharing of information and best practices and implement new programs to reduce carbon emissions from all sectors of the US economy.
“As the federal government turns its back on the environment, New York and states across the country are picking up the mantle of climate leadership and showing the world it’s possible to address climate change while also creating good-paying careers,” said Governor Cuomo.
“We welcome these 10 new members and look forward to collaborating and maintaining the momentum in the global effort to protect our planet, while jumpstarting the clean energy economy.”
“Those of us who understand science and feel the urgency of protecting our children’s air and water are as united as ever in confronting one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime,” noted Governor Inslee. “Our collective efforts to act on climate will ensure we maintain the US commitment to curb carbon pollution while advancing a clean energy economy that will bring good-paying jobs to American workers.”
“Delaware is the country’s lowest-lying state and with 381 miles (613 km) of coastline,” said Delaware Governor John Carney. “As sea levels rise, more than 17,000 Delaware homes, nearly 500 miles (800 km) of roadway and thousands of acres of wildlife habitat including our critical wetlands are at risk of permanent inundation.”
Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupsi, who joined former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s “We Are Still In” campaign, along with mayors of Houston, Atlanta and hundreds of other local leaders, cited the economics for her state: Utah has a $1 billion skiing industry threatened by climate change and marked 65 percent growth last year alone in solar power, as one of the country’s sunniest states.