{"id":9329,"date":"2017-07-06T09:39:11","date_gmt":"2017-07-06T13:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=9329"},"modified":"2017-07-06T09:39:11","modified_gmt":"2017-07-06T13:39:11","slug":"unexpected-optimism-on-the-paris-agreement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/unexpected-optimism-on-the-paris-agreement\/","title":{"rendered":"Unexpected Optimism on the Paris Agreement"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many that work on climate change issues, including myself, are finding themselves bizarrely optimistic after President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement. Just to be clear, it\u2019s a terrible decision. There\u2019s no practical benefit. It will cost the U.S. jobs in the renewable energy sector, and it sends a horrible message to the world that the U.S. doesn\u2019t care about responsibly managing our planet for future generations.<\/p>\n

But that being said, the overwhelming, unified backlash has been incredibly encouraging. Representatives from both major political parties, including Governor Baker<\/a>, have voiced support for the Paris Agreement, and every commercial sector<\/a> you can think of, from oil companies to investment banks to coffee shops, is opting to follow the accord of their own initiative.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

By getting out, we may have gotten farther in<\/h2>\n

The very day that Trump made his announcement, 12 states and Puerto Rico began joining the United States Climate Alliance, a group of states and territories vowing to uphold the Paris Agreement. Proudly, Massachusetts became a member of the Alliance after Governor Baker saw an undeniable surge of public interest. (Thanks to all who called his office!) Ten additional states and D.C. have pledged follow the Paris Agreement without formally joining the Alliance, and more than 300 U.S. cities representing more than 61 million Americans will honor the accord.<\/p>\n

In parallel, the \u201cWe Are Still In<\/a>\u201d (#WeAreStillin<\/a>) coalition of government officials, mayors, investors, universities, represents 120 million Americans and $6.2 trillion of the U.S. economy, all pledging to follow the agreement.<\/p>\n

In some critical ways, this local, state, and public phalanx of support for the Paris Agreement is a far stronger, bolder step toward progress than what any U.S. President could recommend. We are witnessing an inspiring movement of local and state officials taking ownership of their own jurisdictions’ carbon emissions. These are people that have real agency to reduce emissions expeditiously for an enormous percentage of the U.S. population, and they have actively decided to make a difference. They’ll protect the planet of their own will, rather than let a president tell them to.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, people from all walks of life are discussing what we should do about climate change and why reducing emissions is so important to limit future warming. The science is clear and more people are now paying attention to the consequences of burning fossil fuels.<\/p>\n

It’s up to us now<\/h2>\n

It is often said that climate change is a global problem with local solutions. That’s true, and President Trump\u2019s move to surrender U.S. leadership has put the rest of us in the driver\u2019s seat. We have the power to reduce our carbon emissions as individuals, as communities, as states, and as people on one planet. It\u2019s up to us now. It\u2019s more important than ever to protect nature for people and wildlife in face of climate change.<\/p>\n

What we can do<\/h2>\n

There a few things we can do as individuals and active citizens that really make a difference and honor the spirit of the Paris Agreement.<\/p>\n

As individuals, we can Make the Switch<\/a> and choose to get our electricity from renewable sources.<\/p>\n

As citizens we can tell our community leaders to get energy from sustainable sources at the municipal scale. The town of Arlington recently became a leader<\/a> as other towns can, by taking advantage of Community Choice Aggregation (CCA). Essentially, CCA is a way for communities to source their own energy and lower electric bills at the same time.<\/p>\n

There are many options for keeping carbon out of the atmosphere and keeping the places we live healthy. Talk to your own community leaders and see how you can help make your community a green community<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many that work on climate change issues, including myself, are finding themselves bizarrely optimistic after President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement. Just to be clear, it\u2019s a terrible decision. There\u2019s no practical benefit. It will cost the U.S. jobs in the renewable energy sector, and it sends a horrible message to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[178],"tags":[150,183],"class_list":["post-9329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-climate","tag-climate-change","tag-paris-agreement"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-2qt","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14913,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/paris-agreement-whats-next\/","url_meta":{"origin":9329,"position":0},"title":"Leaving the Paris Agreement: What\u2019s Next?","author":"Rishya N.","date":"November 11, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Mass Audubon Ipswich River wildlife sanctuary \u00a9 Jared Leeds Born from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change\u2019s\u00a021st summit, the Paris Agreement pledges to keep global temperature rise below\u00a02 degrees Celsius.\u00a0This agreement\u00a0was pivotal, demonstrating international dedication to collectively reducing and mitigating the effects of climate change. Since its inception\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Advocacy"","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/advocacy-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/1503_MA_Audubon_05_0927.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/1503_MA_Audubon_05_0927.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/1503_MA_Audubon_05_0927.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/11\/1503_MA_Audubon_05_0927.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6690,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/mass-audubon-sends-a-message-from-earthtoparis\/","url_meta":{"origin":9329,"position":1},"title":"Mass Audubon Sends a Message from #EarthtoParis","author":"Hillary T.","date":"December 7, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"UPDATE: \u00a0The summit officially closed on Saturday, December 12. We are happy to share that all 196 nations agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and set standards for monitoring and verification procedures. While the agreement is non-binding, it is still a major step in the right direction. Our friends\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/12\/IMG_6976-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/12\/IMG_6976-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/12\/IMG_6976-1024x768.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/12\/IMG_6976-1024x768.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/12\/IMG_6976-1024x768.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/12\/IMG_6976-1024x768.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8496,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/now-more-than-ever\/","url_meta":{"origin":9329,"position":2},"title":"Now More Than Ever","author":"Hillary T.","date":"December 8, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Will you be a champion for nature? With a new Congress and administration taking shape in Washington, the future of our environment may be in jeopardy. Massachusetts has long been a national leader in the fight to protect the environment. Mass Audubon, as the largest conservation nonprofit in the state,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Involved"","block_context":{"text":"Get Involved","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-involved\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/12\/HL_kforesto2016-9782.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/12\/HL_kforesto2016-9782.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/12\/HL_kforesto2016-9782.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13480,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/2020-a-call-for-climate-advocates\/","url_meta":{"origin":9329,"position":3},"title":"2020: A Call for Climate Advocates","author":"Alexandra Vecchio","date":"January 21, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A new year marks a time for reflection and goal setting. What have we accomplished? What does the future hold? When it comes to the climate crisis, those questions invite some concerning responses.\u00a0\u00a0 We know the last decade alone included eight of the\u00a010\u00a0warmest years since measurements began. Hurricanes, wildfires, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station at Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in Sharon","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/01\/MooseHillEVCharging.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/01\/MooseHillEVCharging.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/01\/MooseHillEVCharging.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/01\/MooseHillEVCharging.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9183,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/in-response-to-news-about-paris-climate-accord\/","url_meta":{"origin":9329,"position":4},"title":"In Response to News About Paris Climate Accord","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"May 31, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"A message from Mass Audubon's President, Gary Clayton.\u00a0 I am extremely disappointed at the news that President Trump is considering withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord, which is a massive step backward from confronting the greatest environmental threat to the planet. As the world\u2019s second largest emitter of greenhouse gas\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Advocacy"","block_context":{"text":"Advocacy","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/advocacy-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/05\/WellfleetRichardJohnson.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/05\/WellfleetRichardJohnson.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/05\/WellfleetRichardJohnson.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13126,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/stand-with-youth-climate-strikers\/","url_meta":{"origin":9329,"position":5},"title":"Stand With Youth Climate Strikers","author":"Alexandra Vecchio","date":"September 18, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"On September 20,\u00a0Mass Audubon will stand with millions of people of all ages around the world to amplify the voice of youth activists who understand the urgency of climate change.\u00a0\u00a0 We have partnered with Youth Climate Strike Massachusetts to share our support and stand in solidarity with youth and adults\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Climate"","block_context":{"text":"Climate","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/climate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Mass Audubon Supports Youth Climate Strike","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/09\/MAClimateStrike_blog.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/09\/MAClimateStrike_blog.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/09\/MAClimateStrike_blog.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/09\/MAClimateStrike_blog.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/83"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9329"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9329\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9427,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9329\/revisions\/9427"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}