Washington D.C. — Today, as international leaders meet in Bonn, Germany, for climate negotiations, a large, diverse coalition join together for a #StillIn Day of Action to show that state and local officials; businesses; tribal leaders; and advocacy groups are stepping up in the absence of leadership on climate from the Trump administration.
The Center for American Progress, Organizing for Action (OFA), 350.org, League of Conservation Voters, Second Nature, Sierra Club, NextGen America, The Climate Reality Project, Climate Nexus, and more hosted 38 events in 17 states and Washington, D.C., to support local climate action in the absence of federal leadership.
In addition, tomorrow in Bonn, Germany, a group of representatives of the U.S. People’s Delegation will deliver more than 1 million signatures in the I Am Still In petition from citizens around the country to tell the international community that Americans will lead on climate regardless of federal action. This petition delivery in Germany, which will be livestreamed here, will feature members of the U.S. People’s Delegation telling their stories before delivering the signatures to the office of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat and placing them in a time capsule that will be opened in 2067, 50 years from now.
“The president of the United States is a powerful person, but he can’t stop us from moving forward on clean energy,” said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI). “Action across the public and private sectors puts the United States on track to meet the Paris targets—and as this day of action shows, the national momentum toward clean energy is growing even stronger.”
“The dangers of climate change have hit home this year on multiple fronts, while President Trump’s own administration released a report confirming human activity is the dominant driver of this change,” said leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC). “We know the facts, and we are taking action with states, cities, universities, and businesses across the country to deliver this resounding message here and around the world: We are still in. As members of SEEC, we will continue to fight for funding and policies in Congress that protect our communities from the dangers of climate change.”
“Donald Trump’s disgraceful actions have endangered our environment, threatened our most vulnerable families, and damaged America’s standing in the eyes of the world,” said Neera Tanden, CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund. “We’re here to declare—loudly and clearly—that this administration does not represent the values we believe in. Our entire team is proud to stand with progressive leaders across the country in proclaiming that we are #StillIn this fight to safeguard our planet and take action against climate change.”
“OFA volunteers have been fighting for climate action at the local, national, and international level for years, and no spiteful decision this administration can make will change that,” said Jack Shapiro, director of policy and campaigns for OFA. “We were in support of the Paris Agreement from the beginning, we’re still in today, and we’ll be in as long as it takes to stop dangerous climate change and make the switch to a clean energy economy that works for everyone.”
“Just last week, voters in Virginia, Washington, and New Jersey said they’re all in for climate action by electing leaders who will move us toward a clean energy future,” said League of Conservation Voters President Gene Karpinski. “While Donald Trump and Scott Pruitt continue to prop up their polluter pals, states and cities across the country are moving ahead with innovations that combat climate change, improve our air quality, and promote healthy communities. Govs. Jay Inslee (D-WA), Terry McAuliffe (D-VA), Kate Brown (D-OR), and Jerry Brown (D-CA) shared that message with the world in Bonn this week—we’re still in.”
“While those in the Trump administration are burying their heads in the sand, the rest of the country is moving forward,” said Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune. “The collective power of the people—and the thousands of businesses, local leaders, and universities that have declared that they are still in the Paris Agreement—is what is driving the U.S. to meet its climate commitments and ensure we are doing our part to tackle the climate crisis. The Trump administration is not fooling anyone, and we will continue to resist their toxic rhetoric every step of the way.”
For more information or to speak to an expert at the Center for American Progress, please contact Sam Hananel at 202-478-6327 or [email protected].