Federalism is coming to the rescue of our planet, and not a moment too soon. Today is one of those days to be grateful to our founders for devising a plan of government that requires power to be shared between the federal government.
We don’t usually run press releases in their entirety. But we believe this one is worth sharing. It’s really important news. It’s vital that people outside of the United States understand that the resistance to Donald Trump will not stand by as Trump and his regime attempts to abdicate America’s moral leadership.
In response to President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, California Governor Edmund [Jerry] G. Brown Jr., and Washington State Governor Jay Inslee today announced the formation of the United States Climate Alliance, a coalition that will convene U.S. states committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement and taking aggressive action on climate change.
“I am proud to stand with other governors as we make sure that the inaction in D.C. is met by an equal force of action from the states,” said Inslee. “Today’s announcement by the president leaves the full responsibility of climate action on states and cities throughout our nation. While the president’s actions are a shameful rebuke to the work needed to protect our planet for our children and grandchildren, states have been and will continue to step up.”
“The White House’s reckless decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement has devastating repercussions not only for the United States, but for our planet. This administration is abdicating its leadership and taking a backseat to other countries in the global fight against climate change,” said Governor Cuomo.
“New York State is committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris Accord regardless of Washington’s irresponsible actions. We will not ignore the science and reality of climate change which is why I am also signing an Executive Order confirming New York’s leadership role in protecting our citizens, our environment, and our planet.”
New York, California and Washington, representing over one-fifth of U.S. Gross Domestic Product, are committed to achieving the U.S. goal of reducing emissions 26–28 percent from 2005 levels and meeting or exceeding the targets of the federal Clean Power Plan.
“The President has already said climate change is a hoax, which is the exact opposite of virtually all scientific and worldwide opinion,” said Governor Brown. “I don’t believe fighting reality is a good strategy — not for America, not for anybody. If the President is going to be AWOL in this profoundly important human endeavor, then California and other states will step up.”
Together, New York, California and Washington represent approximately 68 million people – nearly one-in-five Americans – and the states account for at least 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. California will continue to work closely together with other states to help fill the void left by the federal government.
With input from all participants, the U.S. Climate Alliance will also act as a forum to sustain and strengthen existing climate programs, promote the sharing of information and best practices, and implement new programs to reduce carbon emissions from all sectors of the economy.
Now that the Alliance is formed, the next step is to get other states to join and work on devising an interstate compact or some sort of other agreement that commits the states to aggressively reducing emissions. States participating in the Alliance should aspire to meet higher targets than what the Paris accords envision.
Oregon, Virginia, and Hawaiʻi should be invited to join the Alliance immediately. The number of states with governors who recognize the need for climate action may grow following next year’s midterms, and there will be an opportunity to further expand the alliance in defiance of Trump, Pruitt, and their minions.
Thank you taking action and responsibility on this ♥️
I’m sorry, but where was your protest against other immoral presidents? The point to stop Teump and his regime’s abdication of moral leadership is laughable considering we’ve have presidents recently that have done just as much that is morally corrupt as Trump has, if not more. I get that he’s a polarizing figure and I’m not trying to advocate entirely for him. It just seems silly that morality would come into play like he is the only president that has been challenged on certain topics. He most certainly is not. Sounds like protestors need to stop forfetting history and cool off a bit.
The Trump reaction will probably be to start enforcing federal marijuana laws. That means that tax dollars from the crop shrink, while police will be back into the business of busting pot smokers. I’m not exactly a pot advocate, but federal enforcement would probably not be a positive step at this time.
I will definitely my part in defending the earth from pollution.
I fully agree with these state to take over the US commitment to the Paris accord including the billions of dollars the the US was suppose to pay into the fund. While I believe the United States will continue to take the necessary steps to reduce the carbon footprint without these three states. I encourage the rest of the country not to join these three states leaving the comitted to the financial burden. Also would like all midwest states refuse New York trash in landfills in our states. We don’t need New York polluting ten rest of the nation i think the United States would be a better nation if the states of New York and California wetenot a part of it.
Proud to be a Washingtonian!
Apparently trolls have algorithms to find any article with even a hint of not totally moving g trump per number 1 commenter who is entirely off topic. But of course I will happily add that as to morality’ this is one area in which trump and his billionaire multimillionaire regime definitely comes in number one.
But the topic here is Trump abdicating our county’s lead, LEAD, in promoting reducing CO2 emissions as the preeminent poluter of the entire world. We, as a nation, under Barack Obama did something great, even though it was not binding. It was something to be proud of and to strive to make better. Yes it would eventually eliminate fossil fuel jobs, BUT the rapidly expanding and evolving clean energy sources will more than make up for those losses with jobs that pay well and that are safer for the workers.
It is a very good thing that my state, Washington, my sisters state California and across the county trump’s own state New York have reached out to the world by forming the United States Climate Alliance. Hop on board Oregon and together we can block those oil and coal trains from polluting our rivers and towns in their rush to further enrich trumps cronies. You can bet that their profits are not going to increase wages or health insurance for the workers who haul these dirty fuels. Time for fossil fuel to take its place in history as we move on to something cleaner, better and more profitable.
So whose going to pay the UN the 100 billion a year that they will supposedly give to China, India, Pakistan, to help them out? This is nothing more than a plan for one world government headed by the UN. I guarantee you the money will simply go in the pockets of some slimey head of state. Nothing will change in America as far as programs to research and develop more clean energy in America. No one is stopping the private sector from doing what they’ve been doing! It simply means we won’t be flushing 100 billion a year down the toilet and breaking our economy! Do you actually TRUST the UN?? They have proven themselves to be a most corrupt organization. I don’t support this in any way and if governor Inslee insists on breaking our states economy many people will move out of here. Who amongst you can afford to have your power bills quadruple, or gas costing $8 a gallon? Not me, and not other senior citizens I know.
A 4th generation Californian and presently a resident Wahingtonia! Proud to be a part of the alliance.….save our planet for future generations!
We at Chicken Soup and Angels support most everything that could improve the planet’s environmental health. One cannot eat, drink or breathe cash. Neither can plants and animals. The meek shall inherit the earth may well be referring to cockroaches,bedbugs, ants and such. IF we, the human polluters, do nothing to reverse the damage done to the only home we’ve been entrusted with in the Universe, we may become the casualties of the next mass extinction event.
I doubt that the bugs and any other surviving species will miss us much!
Kudos to those of us doing as much as we can to reduce, eliminate and reverse all forms of pollution.
Enjoy this marvelous day and every day…just don’t pollute while doing so.
Thanks bunches.
BearOOO
P.S. Please, stop spitting where feet and paws may tread. be a considerate smoker and user of alcohol and whatever you’re using syringes for. Dispose those butts, bottles, cans and needles properly. It’s your choice to consume certain products. PLEASE, Choose not to pollute the ground we all share.
Let’s all keep the neighborhoods clean and safer for us all. Don’t litter.
Thanks bunches for listening.
BearOOO, just the same.