US Democrats are pushing back against President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.
Democrats in the US House of Representatives and Senate on Friday introduced separate but similar resolutions calling on the US to remain a party to the Paris agreement. The House version, backed by more than 120 Democrats, goes a bit further by explicitly expressing "strong disapproval" and urging Trump to reverse course.
"President Trump's irresponsible decision to pull out of the Paris agreement sends a shameful signal to our allies and adversaries alike, showing that the US is turning its back on the health and safety of our planet," said US representative Brad Schneider (D-Illinois), the lead sponsor of the House resolution.
US senator Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) is the lead sponsor of the Senate version, which is currently backed by 21 other Democrats.
The resolutions are non-binding, which means they cannot force Trump to change his mind. In addition, neither is likely to advance as Republicans hold majorities in both the House and Senate.
Trump ordered the US withdrawal from Paris on his first day in office. That decision will take effect one year after the US gives formal notice to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
In response, 24 state and territorial governors told the UN they will continue their work to reduce emissions in line with the Paris agreement and the targets set by former president Joe Biden, seeking to reassure other countries about US efforts. Biden just before leaving office said the US would reduce GHG emissions by 61-66pc by 2035, relative to 2005 levels, in a new Paris pledge.
In addition, Bloomberg Philanthropies on Thursday said it and "other US climate funders" will ensure that the US meets its funding and reporting obligations to the UNFCCC.
