Mayor Kenney says Philly will honor Paris climate accord after U.S. pulls out

Not long after President Donald Trump announced today that the United States would withdraw from the Paris climate accord, Mayor Jim Kenney announced that Philly will continue to honor the historic agreement to lessen the country’s carbon footprint in an attempt to fight the global effects of climate change.

Kenney is among 61 U.S. mayors who announced that they would step up their respective cities’ efforts to combat climate change and adopt the Paris climate agreement on a local scale. Kenney denounced Trump’s move, stating:

President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement goes against the interests of Philadelphians. My administration is now committed to upholding at the local level the very same commitment made by the United States in the Paris climate agreement — to reduce carbon emissions between 26 and 28 percent by 2025. This will ensure that we’re well on our way to meeting Philadelphia’s current long-term goal of reducing the city’s emissions 80 percent by 2050.”

Christine Knapp, the city’s director of sustainability, also weighed in on Trump’s decision, stating that Philly’s increasingly humid summers and heavier rain storms are tell-tale signs of climate change taking hold in the city.

Because these changes disproportionately harm our most vulnerable residents, reducing carbon pollution is critical to achieving the Greenworks vision of a sustainable Philadelphia for all. Local progress on climate change will improve Philadelphia’s economy, reduce illnesses caused by air pollution, and help protect our residents.

It’s not just Philly that is reacting to Trump’s move. Pennsylvania’s Governor Tom Wolf released a statement prior to Trump’s announcement, urging the president to remain in the Paris Agreement. After Trump’s decision, Wolf issued a series of tweets condemning it.

In Kenney’s statement, he also reminded Philadelphians that the city has a guide for residents to take action against climate change, too, which will be updated “to reflect the White House decision.”

Many of the action guide’s tips, and more, can also be found in Curbed Philly’s guide to living green in Philly.

• 61 mayors adopt Paris climate accord after U.S. pulls out [Curbed.com]
• 4 things to know about the Paris climate agreement [Vox.com]