Mayors and Governors Can Do More on Climate Change Than Just to Denounce Trump

The Paris Agreement gave public officials an opportunity to criticize the President on his climate denial, but these statements ring truer when the officials seek out climate solutions at home as well.

June 5, 2017, 2pm PDT | Casey Brazeal | @northandclark

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When Donald Trump announced his intention not to join the Paris Agreement, many mayors and governors were quick to denounce that move, but they have the power to do more than criticize. "State and city governments shape Americans' carbon footprints through the policies they make about land use and transportation," Josh Barro writes for Business Insider.

Barro argues that while mayors and governors in liberal places score easy points criticizing Trump, they could actually curb emissions by investing in public transit and encouraging density in their cities. "I was amused, for example, that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo chose to highlight his support for the Paris Agreement by lighting up the new Kosciuszko Bridge in green," Barro says. Cuomo has spent funds to widen New York highways while neglecting the city's public transit.

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Here's what mayors and governors should really do to support the Paris Agreement

Published on Friday, June 2, 2017 in Business Insider