The United States Supports the Paris Agreement, Despite Trump Pulling Out

Last week, Donald Trump announced that he was pulling out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. It's a case of a leader not representing the interests of the masses. A leader not understanding the business case for a clean energy future, or the enormous costs of doing nothing to address climate change.  Fortunately, Trump does not have the ability to prevent the United States from pursuing that clean energy future and curbing emissions.  In fact, many government officials and businesses big and small across the United States have since reiterated that they will continue to back the Paris Agreement. They understand what what Trump does not --- that clean energy and a booming economy can go hand-in-hand.

We're with you Arnold @Schwarzenegger --- Clean energy and a booming economy go hand-in-hand! https://t.co/fm5SI4aIZb | #ClimateAction #RT

— Thermal Energy Int'l (@GoThermalEnergy) June 2, 2017

Last week, New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, signed an executive order directing the city to develop a plan to honour the commitments, which includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.  Bill de Blasio is just one of 246 U.S. mayors representing 56 million Americans, who have pledged to adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement.

On the same day as Trump's announcement, the Governors of the states of Washington, New York and California announced their intention to form a United States Climate Alliance. Several other states quickly followed suit, most notably Massachusetts and Vermont, which have Republican governors. Many other states are expected to support the alliance in the coming days.

Businesses too are stepping forward.  Apple, Levi Strauss, Allianz, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Lyft, L’Oreal and Pacific Gas & Electric, along with hundreds of other businesses of all sizes, have declared their continued support for the Paris Agreement.

So, while Donald Trump has pulled out of the Paris Agreement, fortunately he doesn't speak for the United States.