Mayors Call On President For Climate Change Action In U.S., At Paris UN Conference; Launch Campaign In Support

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mayors National Climate Action Agenda today called on President Obama to fight for the strongest possible climate agreement at the upcoming 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris, and for federal action to establish binding national greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the United States.

*** EDS: See full letter at http://bit.ly/1fksBMv ***

The nationwide coalition of mayors also announced it is launching a campaign to support the President and the U.S. delegation in Paris in pushing for strong action on climate change.

The Mayors National Climate Action Agenda made its call and committed to its campaign of support in a letter delivered to the White House today. Houston Mayor Annise Parker announced the letter at a climate change action event hosted by San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee in his city on the eve of the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors there.

Mayor Parker co-founded the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. The three Mayors represent the largest cities on the Presidential Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience.

"The time for strong U.S. action is now. We look forward to standing with you here at home and in Paris to bring leadership and focus to the reality of climate change and to urge national dialogue and action," the letter stated. "We are writing to call on you to act in the best interests of the American people and fight for the strongest possible climate agreement. The United States can and should be the leader in the transition to a clean energy economy.

"Cities across the country are already taking the lead. But we cannot act alone. We need the federal government to provide a path forward to making meaningful reductions in carbon pollution while preparing for the impacts of climate change.

"To support your leadership and assist you and the U.S. delegation in reaching the strongest possible agreement, we are launching a campaign today to engage with our constituents, elected officials and other stakeholders to help achieve … strong outcomes at the national and international levels, while building on municipal leadership on climate change.

"Momentum is building for international coordination. COP21 represents a prime opportunity for American leadership. We recognize that local governments have a major role to play in reducing greenhouse gas levels. We are encouraged that there is interest on the part of COP21 for having language in the final agreement that specifically pertains to cities."

The Mayors National Climate Action Agenda also announced today it now includes:

• Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor
• Aspen Mayor Steve Skadron
• Austin Mayor Steve Adler
• Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed
• Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates
• Boulder Mayor Matt Appelbaum
• Charlotte Mayor Dan Clodfelter
• Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman
• Denver Mayor Michael Hancock
• Fort Collins Mayor Wade Troxell
• Houston Mayor Annise Parker
• Kansas City Mayor Sly James
• Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
• Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges
• Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
• Park City Mayor Jack Thomas
• Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter
• Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton
• Portland Mayor Charlie Hales
• Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker
• San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee
• San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo
• Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown
• Seattle Mayor Ed Murray
• Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone
• Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland

The work of the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda in the U.S. is complemented at the international level by the Compact of Mayors, a global cooperative effort among mayors and city officials committed to reducing local greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing resilience to climate change, and tracking progress transparently. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, his Special Envoy Michael R. Bloomberg, and city networks including ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) are working together to highlight and engage cities in the lead up to COP21. In the United States, the efforts of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network has been important in advancing MNCAA, including through the USDN-led Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance.  

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SOURCE Mayors National Climate Action Agenda