Transcript for Business leaders and mayors defiant after Trump pulls out of Paris Accord

The fast and furious fallout from the president's decision to pull out. The Paris climate accord. The president said he was elected to represent Pittsburgh, not Paris. But overnight city hall lit up in green to protest trump's move. There's plenty of praise for the president, as well and ABC's Gloria Riviera is covering it all from Washington this morning. Hi, Gloria. Reporter: Hi there, Paula, Dan. Good morning. Within hours after the exit, the backlash has turned into action ignoring the president on this. On the other side others say while leaving is like ripping off a band-aid, it had to happen. [ Chanting Reporter: In the science of the exit from the Paris acleement agreement, a growing coalition is gathering steam. Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg is donating $15 million of his own money now joined by more than 100 businesses and 30 mayors spearheading an effort to step up where the U.S. Is stepping back. I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris. Reporter: Pittsburgh a mayor responding. Every major ameri@an city in the past 24 hours has decided if Washington is not going to do it, we will. Reporter: The administration is defending its decision. Secretary of state Rex tillerson emphasizing the U.S. Has a good record on reducing greenhouse gases. I don't think we're going to change our ongoing efforts to reduce those emissions in the future. Reporter: Despite those efforts the administration still not able to answer a fundamental question. Yes or no, does the president believe that climate change is real and a threat to the united States? You know what's interesting about all the discussions we had through the last several weeks have been focused on one singular issue, is Paris good or not for this country? Reporter: Opponents of the accord call it a bad deal like the oil and drilling industry advocate we spoke to who said the billions of dollars the Paris agreement called for would be better spent on noncarbon energy and research. People are getting very upset of an agreement that would basically do nothing to solve climate change. He's keeping his promise that he's going to help get the coal jobs back, help people get back to work. The coal industry, of course, watching this very closely. Mining notably adding jobs. On the flip side the solar industry expressing increasing concern growing so fast, now will that sector slow down? No doubt this is a very emotional issue for people with high hopes and high stakes. Dan, Paula. Gloria, thank you.

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