Pulling out of the Paris Accord: What’s it Mean for LA?
- by Sebastian
- Jun 6, 2017
- 3 min read
So you might’ve heard, but on Thurs. June 1 U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the country would be pulling out of the Paris Accord—the global agreement to fight climate change, signed by almost every country on Earth. The entire world has been reacting ever since, calling out the President for his ignorance towards the facts about climate change and the potential harm this could cause the Earth. All of that is definitely important, but what does it mean for us in LA? In order to understand how this could impact LA, we need to understand where LA stands in terms of its carbon dioxide emissions, the cause for our planet's rapid changes in climate. (If you aren’t up to speed on climate change and what it all means, check out Bill Nye’s explanation here) A 2014 report has California as the second-largest emitter of CO2, and the most recent information on U.S. counties has LA as one of the largest emitters in the country. LA is a big reason why the U.S. has the second highest emissions in the world, so it can’t really afford to look the other way when it comes to climate change.
But do not fear Angelenos; we don’t have to worry about our smog tainted skies regressing to an even filthier shade of grayish-blue—at least not yet. A collective effort from state and city-level officials to continue reducing and limiting emissions began surfacing almost immediately after the President’s announcement. In fact, Gov. Jerry Brown was proactive with his defense of the Paris Accord, releasing a statement before the president’s announcement, voicing his opinion on how big a step backwards this decision is. He also reassured Californians who may be worried about a rise in local emissions saying, “California will do everything it can to not only stay the course but to build more support… this deviation that is now represented by the White House will be very short-lived.” Brown also has announced California’s alignment and leadership with the U.S. Climate Alliance, a pact between states and cities to defy Trump’s decision to pull out roll back emissions regulations.
President Donald Trump announcing the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Accord.
LA Mayor Eric Garcetti made a statement on Thursday saying that the city would continue its commitment to the Paris Accord and the goals it outlines. Garcetti and 210 other mayors have come together to form the Climate Mayors agreement. The city has already committed to getting emissions down 45% from 1990 levels by 2025. As of 2013 emissions were down 20 percent as LA continues to lead by example in the fight against climate change.
LA Mayor Eric Garcetti
In addition to the environmental benefits of reducing emissions, the mayor’s office says that the city is on track to create 20,000 green jobs by that same 2025 mark. It is yet to be seen whether this kind of job-growth will be able to continue once the assumed deregulation of harmful industries like coal are put into effect. LA is fortunate enough to have leadership that recognizes the role it can play in solving this worldwide problem. It is possible that LA and other major cities will be some of the global faces of the fight against climate change, as President Obama and the U.S. have been in recent years. Whatever transpires, let’s just hope our beaches stay swimmable, our air stays breathable and that LA continues to operate in the most optimal way for its people, regardless of what the White House is doing.
