United States Climate Alliance Launches Website to Inform Americans on State Actions to Address Climate Change
U.S. Climate Alliance, Co-Chaired By Governors Cuomo, Brown and Inslee,
Releases Guiding Principles in Commitment to Uphold Paris Agreement
Colorado Joins U.S. Climate Alliance as Newest Member
14 Members Represent More Than 33 Percent of U.S. Population and $7.16
Trillion In GDP
New
Website Provides Updates on State Progress After U.S. is Lone Holdout at G20 Summit
The United States Climate Alliance recently announced the launch of a new
website to inform Americans on state actions to address climate change after the
U.S. was the lone holdout in affirming the Paris Agreement at the G20
Summit. The new website includes information about the composition of
the Alliance, member commitments, and guiding principles, while providing
updates on the progress members are making to meet or exceed the emission
reductions targets of the Paris Agreement.
In response to the Trump Administration's decision to withdraw the
United States from the Paris Agreement, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo,
California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., and Washington State Governor
Jay Inslee formed the Alliance to convene states and territories committed
to achieving the U.S. goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 26-28
percent from 2005 levels.
Today, the United States Climate Alliance includes 14 members representing
more than 33 percent of the U.S. population and $7.16 trillion in GDP.
The members include California, Colorado, New York, Washington, Connecticut,
Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode
Island, Vermont and Virginia.
"As the federal government abdicates its responsibility and ignores
basic science, states across the nation are picking up the mantle of climate
leadership,"
said Governor Cuomo. "The U.S. Climate Alliance is committed to meeting the standards
set forth in the Paris Agreement regardless of Washington’s irresponsible
actions. Together we are showing the world it’s possible to protect
our planet while also creating good-paying jobs and growing our economies.
This new website will keep citizens updated on all the actions taken by
the Alliance."
"While some bury their heads in the sand, this coalition of states
is committed to taking responsible climate action and fulfilling the Paris
Agreement,"
said Governor Brown.
"Since launching the Alliance last month we are proud to now be 14
members strong,"said Governor Inslee. "We are ready to leverage our considerable collective authority to
act on climate through policies related to clean energy, utilities, transportation
and more."
The Alliance today released guiding principles for its members:
States are continuing to lead on climate change: Alliance states recognize that climate change presents a serious threat
to the environment and our residents, communities, and economy.
State-level climate action is benefitting our economies and strengthening
our communities: Alliance members are growing our clean energy economies and creating new
jobs, while reducing air pollution, improving public health, and building
more resilient communities.
States are showing the nation and the world that ambitious climate action
is achievable: Despite the U.S. federal government’s decision to withdraw from the
Paris Agreement, Alliance members are committed to supporting the international
agreement, and are pursuing aggressive climate action to make progress
toward its goals.
The new website is available at
www.usclimatealliance.org