Louisville mayor signs letter supporting Paris agreement with 150 other mayors

James Bruggers | Courier Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Trump: The U.S. will withdraw from the Paris Accord President Donald Trump has announced the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.

Mayor Greg Fischer has decided to join more than 150 other mayors pledging Louisville to work toward meeting the clean-energy goals of the Paris climate agreement rejected yesterday by President Donald Trump.

Fischer spokesman Chris Poynter late said Friday in a text message said the mayor would sign onto the mayors' letter in response to a question by the Courier-Journal. Poynter had no other immediate comment.

Thursday, Fischer said "the city of Louisville will remain strongly committed to creating a green, more sustainable and resilient community." He said the "announcement by the White House does not affect our city’s goals and aspirations.”

That statement is far removed from what came yesterday from Louisville's Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate majority leader, who praised Trump. McConnell applauded Trump and his administration "for dealing yet another significant blow to the (former President Barack) Obama administration’s assault on domestic energy production and jobs."

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The letter from a group called the Climate Mayors says they represent more than 47 million Americans.

"We will adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement," and intensify efforts to meet each city's climate goals to achieve a clean energy economy.

The letter also said:

"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."

More than 190 countries joined the Paris accord, making voluntary pledges to reduce emissions blamed for causing global warming, which scientists say could have devastating consequences in the coming decades and is already affecting the climate.

The issue is especially controversial in a coal state like Kentucky because of coal's contribution to the problem.

Reach reporter James Bruggers at 502-582-4645 and at jbruggers@courier-journal.com.

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