President Trump has withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement. This is against the best interests of many major U.S. cities who’s Mayors have agreed to adhere to the accords of the Paris Climate Agreement even without the aid of the Federal Government. These cities include, but are not limited to, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. If Jacksonville wants to remain a competitive and burgeoning city, we must join with other major American cities by showing our support for the Paris Agreement.

Climate change will continue with or without the support of Jacksonville. Its effects will wreak havoc on our Beaches and great natural resources. Jacksonville’s tourism industry draws heavily upon these natural resources and we must seek to preserve and maintain them.

Additionally, many CEO’s and business executives, such as Elon Musk (SpaceX and Tesla), Jeff Immelt (General Electric), Robert Iger (Disney), and Brad Smith (Microsoft) have indicated their support for the Paris Agreement. With such widespread support among so many major companies it is within Jacksonville’s best interest to also show our support. If Jacksonville hopes to attract major businesses we must create an environment that supports them. By agreeing to adhere to the Paris Agreement Jacksonville sends this exact message.

Finally, the University of North Florida calls Jacksonville its home. One of UNF’s core values is environmental responsibility and one of the flag ship programs of the UNF is its Coastal Biology program. The Coastal Biology program, and UNF as a whole, will directly suffer as a result of climate change. Although this petition is not affiliated with UNF, by signing it, and by adhering to the Paris Agreement, the City of Jacksonville shows its solidarity with the mission of UNF and its support for one of UNF’s flagship programs.