TC Joins List Committed To Upholding Paris Climate Agreement

Traverse City Mayor Jim Carruthers added his name to a list of 180 U.S. mayors who have committed to upholding the Paris climate agreement despite President Donald Trump's withdrawal from the accord Thursday.

Notable U.S. leaders including Mayor Eric Garcetti (Los Angeles), Mayor Bill de Blasio (New York City), Mayor Rahm Emanuel (Chicago), Mayor Ed Murray (Seattle) and Mayor Jim Kenney (Philadelphia) have all signed the agreement, which states the "president's denial of global warming is getting a cold reception from America’s cities." Carruthers added his name to the list of 180 mayors representing 51 million Americans who pledged to "adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement. We will intensify efforts to meet each of our cities’ current climate goals, push for new action to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target, and work together to create a 21st century clean energy economy."

The statement continues:

"We will continue to lead. We are increasing investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. We will buy and create more demand for electric cars and trucks. We will increase our efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, create a clean energy economy, and stand for environmental justice. And if the President wants to break the promises made to our allies enshrined in the historic Paris Agreement, we’ll build and strengthen relationships around the world to protect the planet from devastating climate risks. The world cannot wait – and neither will we."

Other Michigan leaders who signed the agreement include Mayor Christopher Taylor (Ann Arbor), Mayor Rosalyn Bliss (Grand Rapids), Mayor Brenda Hess (Buchanan), Mayor Daniel Guzzi (Rockwood), Mayor Mike Fournier (Royal Oak), and Mayor Amanda Maria Edmonds (Ypsilanti).