New Senate Resolution highlights American support for climate action, progress on clean energy and climate solutions
Washington (November 17, 2017) – As the United Nations 23rd Conference of the Parties wraps up in Bonn, Germany, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) led their colleagues in introducing a Senate Resolution expressing U.S. support for the Paris climate agreement. The resolution highlights that fact that, despite President Donald Trump’s intention to withdraw from the historic climate accord, the United States has experienced emissions reductions during a period of economic growth, and that state and local governments are committing to clean energy deployment that will help ensure the United States can meet its climate goals.
The resolution also points to the massive job growth potential from clean energy, with more than 2.5 million people in the United States already working in industries such as wind, solar and energy efficiency in all 50 States. As recently as this week, Virginia and New Jersey have taken steps or signaled their intention to join the Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the successful market-based system that sets a cap on carbon emissions from the electric sector.
“We will not allow President Trump’s intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement to turn America from leader to laggard on climate action,” said Senator Markey. “In the face of the Trump administration’s climate denial, state and local leaders, the business community, and the American people are taking action to address global warming and spur clean energy deployment. At COP23, our delegation delivered the message that COP really stands for ‘Can’t Obstruct Progress’ and that we are still in and we will win.”
“Denying climate change doesn’t stop the climate from changing,” said Senator Whitehouse. “And President Trump reneging on the Paris agreement can’t erase America’s commitment to meeting our climate goals. Rhode Island is still in. And so are states and cities across the country, leading corporations, and millions of Americans. We won't turn back.”
“President Trump can try to stop climate progress, but his denialism is no match for the incredible efforts of states, cities, businesses, and more all over the U.S. who are stepping up in his place,” said Senator Merkley. “By working together toward a bold vision of 100% clean and renewable energy, grassroots America can and will keep the U.S. on track to meet or even exceed our Paris commitment.”
A copy of the Senate resolution can be found HERE.
Other Senators co-sponsoring the resolution include Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.).
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