Obama addresses gathering of mayors at Chicago climate summit

World
Europe

Dozens of mayors from around the globe as well as former US President Barack Obama gathered Tuesday in Chicago for the Chicago climate summit to send a clear message to President Trump. Despite pulling out of the Paris Agreement, the commitment to reduce carbon emissions is alive in cities and regions across the United States.

After Trump's announcement of withdrawal from the Paris climate accord in June, some 50 mayors including Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo signed the "Chicago Climate Charter."

Obama arrived and left to a standing ovation.

“Obviously, we are in an unusual time where the United States is the only nation on earth that does not belong to the Paris Agreement. And that is a difficult position to defend,” Obama said. “But the good news is that the Paris Agreement was never going to solve the climate crisis on its own. Cities and states and businesses have emerged as the new face of American leadership on climate change.”

Obama signed the Paris Agreement in 2015. The US cannot formally withdraw from the deal until after the 2020 presidential election. The deal requires countries to set their own targets for reducing emissions. The US is currently committed to reducing carbon emissions by 26 to 28 percent.

“We can’t afford the leadership of President Trump that has been AWOL on this issue.” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee had a similar message. “The clarion call right now is that we don’t have the national leadership on this. So we are creating and establishing our own international leadership.”

Many of the US mayors are now looking to the rest of the world for support. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson believes China offers inspiration.

“There will be other countries that lead like China is leading with exceptional leadership now with renewable energy and electric vehicles.”

But now comes the hard work. Each mayor here must now work towards honoring their commitment in lowering carbon emissions. Some mayors have agreed to expand public transport and invest in natural climate solutions. But doing that while the US policy heads in a different direction will only complicate the issue.

This gathering of mayors in Chicago has made a statement. But how effective that commitment can be while in opposition to national policy remains to be seen.