CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- President Donald Trump took to the podium Thursday to announce the United States' withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement.
The Paris climate agreement is an international agreement aimed at lowering greenhouse gases. It's a promise by 195 countries to each develop their own plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, however, it's nonbinding, which means countries don't face penalties for failing to meet their targets.
The U.S. joins only two other countries not in the agreement, Syria and Nicaragua.
President Trump's announcement garnered a huge reaction worldwide as well as right here in the Queen City.
Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts released a statement following Trump's announcement saying she will be joining a growing list of mayors from across the country to uphold the Paris climate agreement.
My official statement on the #ParisAccord and what we have to do as a city to continue to #ActOnClimate. pic.twitter.com/5x4GMVGxoE
— Jennifer Roberts (@JenRobertsNC) June 2, 2017
Roberts reiterated her promise Tuesday releasing an 'open letter' alongside other officials announcing her alliance with the Paris climate agreement.
"We, the undersigned mayors, governors, college and university leaders, businesses and investors are joining forces for the first time to declare that we will continue to support climate action to meet the Paris Agreement," the statement said.
Roberts tweeted a link encouraging others to join the leaders across the country who are creating an alliance to uphold a commitment to act on climate.
Happy to join and say We Are Still in! #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/KYbG1BihXS
— Jennifer Roberts (@JenRobertsNC) June 6, 2017
Mayors from the following cities have also agreed to uphold the agreement: Boston, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Seattle and more. Governors in multiple states have also proclaimed their support for the accord, these states include: Massachusetts, California, Oregon, New York, Colorado, Hawaii, Washington, Connecticut, Virginia, Rhode Island.
Here's Mayor Roberts' full agreement:
"I am deeply disappointed in President Trump's decision to exit the Paris Accord, but Charlotte is no less determined to do our part to combat climate change," Roberts said. "I have joined 68 mayors from across the country in committing to 'adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement."
"Additionally, I am proud of the ways Charlotte is already doing its part to act on climate. Charlotte is already leading efforts to combat climate change, but there's still a lot we can do. We supported Envision Charlotte to reduce our carbon footprint by 19% uptown and save $26m in utilities costs. I've been proud to support greenways, bike lanes, and programs like Open Streets 704, which encourage pedestrian and biking lifestyles and lower carbon footprint. Going forward, we have to support clean energy and our environment in every Charlotte neighborhood."
"Forward-thinking mayors and cities like Charlotte must now take the lead to act on climate, and I will continue to be a champion for the environment. Climate change is an issue that affects us all, and we do not have time to wait for a new administration."
