“The P.A.R.I.S. Climate Act will force the administration to acknowledge the dangers of withdrawal, again and again.”

Great stuff from Rep. Donald McEachin (D-VA04):

Representatives McEachin, Schneider Introduced P.A.R.I.S. Climate Act

Legislation to highlight why U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is disastrous

WASHINGTON – Congressmen A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) and Brad Schneider (IL-10) introduced the Produce All Relevant Information to Safeguard (P.A.R.I.S.) Climate Act at the same time the United Nations Climate Change annual conference takes place in Poland.

“Climate change poses an existential threat to the world as we know it, and preventing that change is one of the most pressing issues we face. Public health, environmental quality, and our economy are at risk if we do not act. Several international and domestic reports have confirmed the urgency of our situation, and this administration must use the facts we have to protect the American people and everyone with whom we share this one Earth,” said Congressman McEachin. “Three years after the signing of the Paris Agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference, Congressman Schneider and I introduced the P.A.R.I.S. Climate Act because we know the Paris Agreement was a crucial step toward ensuring our world is livable and healthy, and science shows our withdrawal endangers that precious goal.”

“The Trump Administration is stubbornly set on ignoring the science of climate change and slowing our transition to renewable sources of energy,” said Congressman Schneider. “The recently released National Climate Assessment illustrates that time is running out to curb emissions and address the climate threat to our economy, nation, and planet. Our legislation would require the Administration to answer for its wrong-headed decision to unilaterally withdraw from the international Paris Agreement. I will continue to work with Congressman McEachin and my colleagues to put the United States on a path to lower emissions and reengagement with the international community.”

The P.A.R.I.S. Climate Act would require the Secretary of State to regularly publish a public assessment that highlights the damaging consequences of the Trump Administration’s decision to unilaterally withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. This straightforward bill demands regular answers to the following questions:

1. How many parties have formally indicated an intent to withdraw from the Paris Agreement?
2. Does the State Department have a reasonable expectation that any parties may pursue withdrawal in the next year? If so, which, and for what reasons?
3. Has the U.S. established specific terms for re-engagement with the Paris Agreement, per stated administration policy?

The P.A.R.I.S. Climate Act will force the administration to acknowledge the dangers of withdrawal, again and again. Every other nation recognizes the threat posed by climate change; Reps. McEachin and Schneider believe that this administration should stop preventing the United States from doing as much as possible to mitigate the impact of climate change. Bill text of H.R. 7220 is available here.

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Rep. Donald McEachin (VA-04) co-founded the United for Climate and Environmental Justice Task Force to further shed much-needed light on the disproportionate impacts of climate change on communities of color, low-income, and rural areas last year. He serves as the co-chair of the Leader’s Environmental Message Team, co-chair of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Energy, Environment, and Agriculture Task Force, and is a member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition.