The U.S. Climate Alliance, launched by three states in the wake of President Donald Trump's announcement to withdraw from the Paris agreement on climate change, has expanded to include a total of 13 members as of Monday.
Co-chaired by Governors Jerry Brown of California, Andrew Cuomo of New York and Jay Inslee of Washington, the alliance said Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia have joined the coalition.
"The president has already said climate change is a hoax, which is the exact opposite of virtually all scientific and worldwide opinion," said Governor Brown, who has been on a trip in China since Saturday to expand climate partnership with local and national leaders there. "I don't believe fighting reality is a good strategy -- not for America, not for anybody."
In addition to convening U.S. states committed to achieving the U.S. goal of reducing emissions 26-28 percent from the 2005 level and meeting or exceeding the targets of the federal Clean Power Plan, the alliance will act as a forum to sustain existing climate programs, promote the sharing of information and best practices and implement new programs to reduce carbon emissions from all sectors of the U.S. economy.
"As the federal government turns its back on the environment, New York and states across the country are picking up the mantle of climate leadership and showing the world it's possible to address climate change while also creating good-paying careers," said Governor Cuomo. "We welcome these 10 new members and look forward to collaborating and maintaining the momentum in the global effort to protect our planet, while jumpstarting the clean energy economy."
"Those of us who understand science and feel the urgency of protecting our children's air and water are as united as ever in confronting one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime," noted Governor Inslee. "Our collective efforts to act on climate will ensure we maintain the U.S.commitment to curb carbon pollution while advancing a clean energy economy that will bring good-paying jobs to American workers."
"Delaware is the country's lowest-lying state and with 381 miles (about 613 km)of coastline," said Delaware Governor John Carney. "As sea levels rise, more than 17,000 Delaware homes, nearly 500 miles (about 800 km) of roadway and thousands of acres of wildlife habitat including our critical wetlands are at risk of permanent inundation. Rising average temperatures and an increase in extreme weather events also pose health risks to Delawareans, and threaten our economy. The U.S. should lead in the global fight against climate change. Delaware is proud to join this coalition of states providing that necessary leadership."
"Future generations deserve to inherit a world they can thrive in, not one that plays politics and ignores the fact our climate is changing," said Oregon Governor Kate Brown."Despite the decision by the White House to retreat, it is our moral obligation to fulfill the goals of the Paris agreement. Oregon will continue to make meaningful strides, with the rest of the world, to ensure our communities and economies adapt to meet the challenge of climate change."
"President Trump's announcement to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement does not speak for the states and cities that are committed to fighting climate change and paving the way for a new energy economy," said Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe. "If the federal government insists on abdicating leadership on this issue, it will be up to the American people to step forward -- and in Virginia we are doing just that."
Trump announced on Thursday that he had decided to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement, a landmark global pact to fight climate change.
Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement fulfilled a campaign promise, but was met with widespread criticism both at home and abroad.
