In response to President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss has joined mayors across the country who are pledging to continue their efforts to fight climate change. In an open letter from the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda - a group known as the Climate Mayors, the group pledged to continue reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting federal and global policymaking. So far, more than 200 Mayors across the US have contributed their signature to the letter.
President Donald Trump stated that his decision had nothing to do with his stance on climate change, but rather that he felt the agreement was unfair to the United States.
“The Paris Climate accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries.”
Prior to Thursday’s announcement, Mayor Bliss has already begun a concerted effort to address climate change in Grand Rapids. In her state of the city speech last March, the Mayor said Grand Rapids is dedicated to running on 100 percent renewable energy by 2025. The city also announced a partnership with Founders Brewing Company in April that will turn wastewater dumped by the beer maker into renewable energy to power the city’s wastewater recovery facility.
