STATEMENT: Climate Mayors Reaffirm Commitment to Local Climate Action and Pledge Continued Ambition Under Second Trump Administration
Washington, DC (November 6, 2024) – Today, Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Mayor of Cleveland and Chair of Climate Mayors – a network of nearly 350 mayors demonstrating local climate leadership through meaningful action – issued the following statement in response to the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States:
“As Chair of Climate Mayors, I’d like to reaffirm that our network of nearly 350 U.S. mayors are steadfast in our commitment to accelerating local climate action and meeting our established national goals under the Paris Climate Agreement during the second administration of President Donald Trump. Mayors engage closely with their communities every day and understand that we cannot afford the costs of exiting the Paris Agreement as was done in 2017. Climate Mayors nationwide have witnessed the impacts of climate change firsthand, such as historic extreme heat waves, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, all of which have taken a significant toll on our communities. Which is why we are doubling down on climate action and continuing to reduce emissions, support clean energy growth, and build healthier communities. Our commitment to combating the existential threat of climate change and protecting the federal legislation that provides cities with vital funding remains unwavering.
“By utilizing funding and provisions within the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, our city leaders have launched us on a trajectory toward a sustainable future. Despite 60% of Inflation Reduction Act projects benefiting Republican districts, conservative congressional leaders continue to threaten our progress with sweeping rollbacks of much-needed support. These clean energy provisions have sparked a surge in clean energy manufacturing, private investment, and job creation, prompting 18 Republican members of Congress to urge leadership to keep them in place. As we enter the Trump-Vance administration, Climate Mayors will continue to fight for legislation that benefits hard-working Americans and protects the most vulnerable populations by engaging key partners, policymakers, and stakeholders in our fight for just and innovative legislation.
“We understand the urgent responsibility to deliver on U.S. climate action in the absence of national leadership. Our members will work alongside states, businesses and other sectors to ensure our cities are beacons of climate progress.”
Through the collective power of the network, cities can forge a path toward a sustainable and just tomorrow for all. As the big tent for local climate leaders, Mayors can demonstrate their commitment to keeping the U.S. on track through subnational climate leadership and benefit from the support of our growing network of Climate Mayors at https://www.climatemayors.org/join-us.
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About Climate Mayors
Climate Mayors is a bipartisan network of nearly 350 mayors, demonstrating climate leadership through meaningful actions in their communities since 2014. Representing 46 states and nearly 60 million Americans, Climate Mayors reflects U.S. cities’ commitment to climate progress. For more information, visit our website and follow Climate Mayors on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Media Contact: climatemayors@fgsglobal.com