BLOG: Cities, States Push Forward With Paris Climate Deal Standards

At least 14 states, along with Puerto Rico, are on track to meet the goals for emission cuts outlined in the Paris Climate accord, despite President Donald Trump's announcement in June that the United States will exit the deal.

The states have formed what is being called the U.S. Climate Alliance and have committed to meeting the standards of the Paris climate deal. Participants include California, New York and North Carolina, to name a few. Overall, participating members encompass more than 36 percent of the U.S. population.

The alliance of states won't undo the damage and the lost time caused by Trump's removal of the United States from the climate deal. Nonetheless, it's encouraging to see states taking action and not sitting on their hands during the administration of a president who denies the existence of climate change.

Also encouraging is that collectively, the economies of the members of the U.S. Climate Alliance add up to equal the world's third largest economy. If climate change is to be stopped, it's the nations — and states — with huge economies that must do their fair share and address emission levels.

Cities

But it's not only states stepping in to address climate change. Cities are taking action as well. The largest group of these cities is the "We Are Still In" coalition. Made up of 2,300 U.S. cities, as well as some corporations and universities, the group has pledged to adhere to the conditions set out in the Paris climate deal.

While the impact of states pledging to follow the Paris Climate deal is likely greater than cities adhering to it, the participating cities include nearly all of the biggest cities in the country. And in the age of Trump and his anti climate science administration, any movement to address climate change and emissions should be lauded.

A few other key points:

• With cities and states adhering to the Paris climate agreement standards, the Sierra Club estimated the U.S. could meet 60 percent of the commitments it made in the Paris agreement.

• This is not enough, as some already felt the standards agreed to in Paris were too lax. But it is, of course, better than the zero percent adherence many feared when Trump pulled the U.S out of the agreement.

What do you think about cities and states taking climate change into their own hands? Tell me in the comments.