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ALBANY, NY—Congressman Paul D. Tonko reiterated his support for the voluntary international Paris Climate Agreement today as part of his continued efforts to address the global climate crisis. His vocal support comes following President Donald Trump’s notice to begin the formal year-long process required to withdraw the United States of America from the Paris Agreement. 

“While the Trump Administration wastes precious time denying the scientific realities of climate change, Americans are fleeing its devastating effects in the form of wildfires, flooding and storms unlike anything we have seen before,” said Congressman Tonko. “Decades of science-based evidence have made clear that bold action is necessary to prevent the deadliest and most costly effects of climate change. The Paris Agreement is a vital starting point for humanity to band together to confront this worsening crisis. Despite this President’s patter of abandoning our allies, millions of Americans have reminded the world of what American leadership looks like by joining our call to say ‘We’re Still In!’ America must be a leader, not a barrier, in the development of clean energy solutions to reduce carbon pollution, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because future generations are depending on us to fight for America’s economic competitiveness. I am ready to work with any federal, state, local, or business leader who is committed to protecting our environment and economy with the scale and urgency that climate science tells us is needed.”

The Paris Agreement was adopted—at a global convening under the banner of U.S. leadership—in December 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to levels the global scientific community generally agree will help prevent the worst outcomes of climate change. As part of the agreement, the United States set a voluntary goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025, based on scientific assessments of the need and ability of the U.S. to achieve that target. To date, 195 countries have signed the agreement.

Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, which would prohibit federal funds from being used to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. It would also call on the President to establish a plan for the United States to meet its commitment to reducing pollution. The bill passed the House by a vote of 231 to 190 and awaits action in the U.S. Senate. 

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