Paris Agreement: City, State Leaders Vow To Honor Commitments Despite US Withdrawal

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that the United States would be withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord, fulfilling a promise he had campaigned on. Trump's decision to withdraw from the agreement, which is designed to limit global carbon emissions through voluntary commitments, was met by criticism from local and state leaders, some of whom are taking it upon themselves to keep the obligations under the agreement.

Former New York City Mayor and billionaire philanthropist Mike Bloomberg is leading the charge to help ensure that countries implement their commitments under the agreement. Bloomberg, who gave a scathing speech at the Democratic National Convention last summer criticizing then-candidate Trump, announced a commitment of up to $15 million to support the operations of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Executive Secretariat.

"The pledge aims to fill a significant funding gap that comes as a result of President Donald Trump’s announced withdrawal from the Paris agreement and proposed steep budget cuts for international programs, including on climate," Bloomberg said in a statement.

In announcing the withdrawal, Trump said he was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh and not Paris. However, the mayor of Pittsburgh, Bill Peduto, rebuked that statement, saying he was appalled that Trump used the city to justify his decision, as most other Pittsburghers are.

"I was one of the nation's mayors who went to Paris to fight for the accords, and my city, which has finally bounced back from decades of industrial carnage, will do all it can to promote its own environmental standards,” Peduto said.

And on Friday, Peduto issued an executive order for the city to further promote climate control initiatives. Joining Peduto and numerous other city leaders is Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who said he is committed to upholding the goals in the Paris Agreement.

A total of 84 mayors, part of the group known as the Mayors' National Climate Action Agenda, have said they will "adopt, honor and uphold the commitments of 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," the group said in a statement.

In a symbolic act of defiance, New York City's landmarks were lit up green on Thursday to show that both the city and the state stand with Paris. City Hall, the Kosciuszko Bridge and One World Trade were among the landmarks that shone green as Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo said they would keep to the accord, despite the leader of the nation's refusal. Meanwhile, Cuomo joined the governors of California and Washington to form the United States Climate Alliance, which will 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, according to a press release.

Along with Gov. Jay Inslee, local leaders in Washington state, Republicans and Democrats alike, reacted negatively on Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement.

However, not everyone reacted negatively to Trump's decision.

U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, a Republican from Georgia, said he supports Trump's decision. Loudermilk said former President Obama rammed the accord through via executive order, something that should have had the full support of American lawmakers.

Meanwhile, Rep. Tim Walberg, a Republican from Michigan, said he believes in climate change but he also believes it's part of God's divine plan. Walberg made the comments at a town hall in May, a few days after reports began to emerge that the Trump administration would be pulling out of the Paris agreement.

On the other hand, auto leaders in Detroit signaled on Thursday they would not walk back commitments to produce cleaner cars that emit lower emissions. Both General Motors and Ford Motor Co. issued statements in support of global efforts to reduce emissions.

Trump, who said the Paris Agreement disadvantages the United States, has said he would begin new negotiations to either re-enter the agreement or create an entirely new deal that he believes would be more fair to the American people. Republicans have typically been skeptical on the issue of climate change, despite the widespread scientific consensus on the issue.

Cody Fenwick, Beth Dalbey, Joe Vince, Eric Heyl, Craig Johnson, Neal McNamara and Adam Nichols contributed to this report.

Image: Kosciuszko Bridge in New York City is lit up green. Photo by Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo