City Joins Peers In Condemning US Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 2, 2017

For more information, please contact: Mary Catherine Carmichael, Communications Director, carmichm@bloomington.in.gov, 812-349-3406

City Joins Peers In Condemning US Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement

Bloomington, Ind. - On Thursday, the City of Bloomington joined 61 cities and 36 million Americans across the country in condemning the Trump administration's decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. This historic agreement joins nearly 200 countries in a joint effort to address global climate change, and the Trump administration's decision makes the U.S. one of only three countries not participating in the accord. The other two are Syria and Nicaragua.

"This is a huge disappointment. It is a betrayal of our future and extraordinarily short sighted. And it is selling America short -- so many people, companies and communities want leadership at the national level, but with this terrible message, it means cities like Bloomington are ready to lead," said Mayor John Hamilton.

In anticipation of the Trump administration's decision, City officials worked with colleagues from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. as part of the Mayors' National Climate Action Agenda (MNCAA).

As part of its commitment to the MNCAA and toward building a resilient community, the City of Bloomington continues to enhance efficiency in its facilities and reduce its carbon footprint with additional solar panels and an extensive energy guaranteed savings program. The City encourages residents to continue doing the same through participation in programs like the Monroe County Energy Challenge, installation of residential solar panels, implementing higher efficiency City sanitation services, and other ongoing measures that will reduce the community's environmental footprint, improve community health, and keep more money in the local economy.