November 5, 2019

New York City, NY — Today, Michael R. Bloomberg, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Action, issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s decision to begin formal withdrawal proceedings from the Paris Climate Agreement:

“Abandoning the Paris Agreement is an abdication of leadership that the vast majority of Americans oppose. Americans want action on climate change, and it’s up to the public to deliver what Washington won’t – and we are. Bloomberg Philanthropies is supporting the thousands of cities, states, businesses, and organizations committed to helping the U.S. reach the goals we set under the Paris Agreement.

“Through our Beyond Carbon campaign, we’re working to move America to 100 percent clean energy as fast as possible and supporting elected leaders who will take bold climate actions to help us get there.

“We are also filling the funding gap for the UN climate office that was cut by the Trump Administration; quantifying U.S. progress towards the Paris Agreement through America’s Pledge; and for the third year, supporting a U.S. delegation and the U.S. Climate Action Pavilion at COP25 to highlight the progress the U.S. is making on climate change despite the lack of leadership in Washington.

“Looking ahead to 2020, the American people must elect leaders who will confront climate change and put the public’s health and safety first. Until then, we will continue to fight the climate crisis with the urgency required, city by city and state by state. We can’t afford to wait.”