New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered two landmarks in his state lit up green Thursday as a sign of support for the Paris Agreement on climate change.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered two landmarks in his state lit up green late Thursday as a sign of support for the Paris Agreement on climate change – hours after President Donald Trump announced he was pulling the US out of the accord.
The antenna atop the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan and the Kosciuszko Bridge linking Brooklyn and Queens were specially lit ‘to show our support for the Paris Accord and demonstrate New York’s leadership role in protecting our citizens, our environment, and our planet, ‘ Cuomo said in a statement.
The World Trade Center is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a government agency jointly controlled by the governors of the two neighboring states.
The Kosciuszko Bridge, which spans Newtown Creek and is accessible through the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, is maintained by the New York State Department of Transportation.
Another New York landmark in Lower Manhattan, City Hall, was also lit up in green late Thursday.
Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted a photo of City Hall on Thursday night.
In the caption, he wrote that New York ‘will honor the goals of the Paris Agreement.’
Earlier on Thursday, de Blasio tweeted that ‘opting out of Paris Accord is a grave error.
‘Climate change is real – we feel the effects now. Trump’s choice ensures it will only get worse.’
Cuomo, a Democrat, slammed Trump for pulling out of the agreement.
‘The White House’s reckless decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord has devastating repercussions not only for the United States, but for our planet, ‘ the governor said.
‘This administration is abdicating its leadership and taking a backseat to other countries in the global fight against climate change.
‘New York State is committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris Accord regardless of Washington’s irresponsible actions.
‘We will not ignore the science and reality of climate change.’
Cuomo also announced that he and two of his fellow governors – California’s Jerry Brown and Washington State’s Jay Inslee – formed the US Climate Alliance, which will ‘convene US states committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement and taking aggressive action on climate change.’
So far, 30 states announced Thursday that they would disregard Trump’s order on Thursday and pursue their own policies which seek to limit greenhouse gas emissions, according to The Washington Post .
Cuomo has made climate change policy a central pillar of his administration.
The governor announced a $1.65billion plan to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency – the largest ever by an American state.
Cuomo aims to more than double New York state’s solar capacity by the end of 2018. He will also offer incentives to schools and other public buildings that install solar panels on rooftops.
In California, the state senate on Wednesday voted to require utility companies to transfer 100 percent of their energy to renewable sources by 2045.
Both California and New York require utility companies to shift to 50 percent renewable by 2030.
Brown, like Cuomo, struck a defiant tone on climate change Thursday.
‘The California economy last year increased 40 percent faster than the rest of the country, ‘ Brown said.
‘In fact, following policies even tougher than what Paris is calling for, the California economy is boosted. Trump is wrong when he says Paris is bad for jobs. It’s good for jobs. The jobs of the future.’
The governors were joined Thursday by the mayors of 61 cities who renewed their commitment to the Paris Agreements.
The Climate Mayors, a coalition which includes de Blasio, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, tweeted a statement reaffirming their commitment to combating climate change.
‘Trump maybe withdrawing the US, but 61 climate mayors are adopting the Paris Agreement, ‘ the group tweeted. ‘Cities will lead the way.’
‘With POTUS pulling out of the Paris Agreement, LA will stand up to lead – & work with other cities to do the same, ‘ Garcetti tweeted on Thursday.
