Orange County Considering Resolution Supporting Paris Climate Agreement

While countries around the world are still looking at how to move forward after President Donald Trump has announced the United States will remove itself from the Paris Climate Agreement, local officials are continuing to support efforts to mitigate climate change.

Orange County Commissioner Penny Rich has submitted a resolution in an email to other commissioners for consideration at Tuesday night’s board meeting for the county to “adopt, honor and uphold the Paris Climate Agreement.”

The resolution cites agreement among scientists around the globe as the focus for moving forward with the mitigating steps. Coastal states like North Carolina are also “disproportionately vulnerable to the effects of climate change,” according to the resolution.

All of the mayors in Orange County – Carrboro’s Lydia Lavelle, Chapel Hill’s Pam Hemminger and Hillsborough’s Tom Stevens – have publicly stated their support for continuing efforts associated with the climate agreement.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper also signed onto a letter with more than 1,000 signatories on Tuesday expressing his continued support to fight climate change.

“Pulling out of the Paris Accord is wrong for our country, our children, and the generations to come,” Cooper said in a release. “North Carolina’s commitment to clean air and a healthy environment will remain a priority despite the lack of forward thinking leadership from the current Administration.”

The climate agreement calls on the United States reducing greenhouse gas emissions between 26 and 28 percent by 2025 from 2005 levels.

Photo via Orange County

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