Withdrawal from Paris comes as state advances its own carbon strategy
RICHMOND – Multiple news outlets on May 31 reported President Trump plans to withdraw the United States from the landmark Paris climate change agreement, an Obama-era global accord aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the most urgent environmental and public health threat of our time through cooperation across national borders.
In response, Michael Town, executive director of Virginia LCV, issued the following statement:
“At the same time Virginia and Governor McAuliffe are leading to address one of the world’s greatest threats, our president has decided to put his head firmly in the sand. Sadly, this irrational, knee-jerk decision should not come as a shock to anyone who has watched this administration as it has worked to undermine and unravel much of the progress we’ve made in addressing climate change and protecting special places across the country, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. This only means that here in Virginia, we will work harder than ever to advance clean energy and cut our carbon footprint in a way that grows our economy and protects Virginians’ public health.”
About us:
The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues.
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