In response to President Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, Mayor Sylvester Turner joined over 60 “Climate Mayors” from across the U.S. in vowing to honor the Paris Agreement’s goals to fight climate change.
“Cities are front and center in the fight against climate change and we have to take action,” said Mayor Turner. “We must not let the President’s decision today slow our efforts. As the energy capital of the world and the nation’s largest municipal purchaser of green power, Houston is leading by example and living proof that large, industrial cities can have a robust economy and also fight climate change.”
Houston has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent since 2007 and was named the nation’s largest municipal purchaser of green power for 2017 by the U.S. EPA. Mayor Turner is vice chairman of the Climate Mayors, a network of U.S. mayors working together to strengthen local efforts for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting efforts for binding federal and global-level policy making. In response to the President’s decision, over 60 mayors representing more than 35 million Americans have vowed to honor and uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement in the statement below.
“The President’s denial of global warming is getting a cold reception from America’s cities.
“60 Mayors representing 35 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.”
