Southern N.E. has joined other states in sticking with Paris Agreement on climate change

Cutting off the top of a mountain in Appalachia to get coal.

Via ecoRI News (ecori.org)

One day after President Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 Paris Agreement, a slew of states and cities are saying they are all in anyway. Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island joined the founding states of Washington, New York and California in the United States Climate Alliance.

The states and cities agree to do their part to cut fossil-fuel emissions 26 percent to 28 percent of 2005 levels. The commitment is nonbinding, and it’s not clear what if any of the financial obligations will be met.

The list of signors is growing. Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Oregon have joined. Some 80 U.S. cities also reiterated their commitment to the Paris Agreement, including Boston, Cambridge, Holyoke and New Bedford, Mass., Burlington, Vt., Middletown and New Haven, Conn., and Providence.

"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," according to the Climate Mayors coalition.