US States Rally as Trump Withdraws from Paris Climate Deal

U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Accord is creating new alliances as states, governors and mayors unite to stay in the agreement.

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In his announcement on Thursday, President Trump said the program would cost millions of American jobs and maintained economic growth is his main goal.

Three U.S. states were the first to speak up against the withdrawal.

“The President has already said climate change is a hoax, which is the exact opposite of virtually all scientific and worldwide opinion, I don’t believe fighting reality is a good strategy - not for America, not for anybody,” said Californian Governor Jerry Brown. “If the President is going to be AWOL in this profoundly important human endeavor, then California and the other states will step up.”

Governors from Washington, New York, and California, the former housing six of the country’s most polluted cities, have combined forces to form a movement called the United States Climate Alliance. More states are expected to join.

Meanwhile, 88 mayors from around the country had already united to create the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda (MNCAA) in an effort to continue reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restrict federal and global-level policy making.

They sent an open letter to President Trump declaring their intentions to continue energy conserving initiatives.

But not everyone is against Trump's decision to opt out.

U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry believes the president made the right decision for the welfare of the country. “(The Paris Agreement) was neither submitted to nor ratified by the U.S. Senate, and is not in the best long term economic interest of the United States. President Trump’s decision will prove to be the right course of action and one I fully support”.

The deal was agreed during the Obama administration and was signed by more than 200 countries. President Obama promised to lower the nation's 2005 greenhouse gas emission levels by 26-28 percent before 2025.

Still Perry assures the public that not all energy conservation programs in the U.S. will cease.

“Instead of preaching about clean energy, this Administration will act on it.Our work and deeds are more important than empty words. I know you can drive economic growth and protect the environment at the same time, because that is exactly what I did as Governor of Texas.”

The U.S. Energy Secretary also said that the White House plans to continue to develop global energy and maintain its position as the world’s leader in “next generation technology”.

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But international support for the climate agreement remains strong. 

China, the EU and India, which along with the U.S. make up the four biggest emitters of carbon dioxide, have restated their commitment to the Paris deal.

And Beijing has reiterated its pledge to take on a leading role in the fight against global warming.