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Cindy Carr, cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
At COP23, Center for American Progress, US Climate Action Network, 350.org, NextGen America, Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council and SustainUS deliver over 1 million petition signatures supporting international climate commitments
Bonn, Germany – Today, members of the U.S. People’s Delegation delivered over 1 million signatures from the “I am still in” petition, signaling to the international community that people across America will lead on climate regardless of federal inaction.
The event featured speakers sharing their stories about why they are #Stillin, connecting their presence at COP23 to the powerful work happening at home, and handing over more than 1 million petition signatures to the UNFCCC Secretariat. In coordination with actions in the U.S., the signatures were placed in a time capsule to be opened 50 years from now, in 2067.
Yesterday, the Center for American Progress, Organizing for Action, 350.org, the League of Conservation Voters, Second Nature, Sierra Club, NextGen America, the Climate Reality Project, Climate Nexus, and more hosted 38 #Stillin events in 17 states and Washington, D.C., to support local climate action in the face of federal inaction.
"While world leaders convene in Germany, Americans across the country are making their voices heard,” said Christy Goldfuss, vice president of Energy and Environment Policy at the Center for American Progress. “The United States will continue to stand up for climate action in the absence of federal leadership. Today, we are bringing those voices to the international community and we will continue to support the governors, mayors, and tribal and local officials who are leading the way."
"The Trump Administration's corruption and dishonesty has no limits -- despite the strongest scientific evidence to the contrary, they continue to lie to the American people for benefit of fossil fuel interests," said NextGen America President Tom Steyer. "The American people are fed up with this administration, and every day more and more Americans are standing up to hold corporate polluters accountable and protect our clean air and water."
Thanu Yakupitiyage, U.S. Communications Manager with 350.org and coordinator of the U.S. People's Delegation said, "With the backing of over one million people, communities across America are sending a clear signal that the fossil-fueled Trump administration does not represent us. As Trump and his billionaire cronies deliberately neglect the needs of communities, ignore global climate commitments, and continue with their divisive schemes, we are getting to work from the ground-up to create powerful and lasting change. With regression at the federal level, elected officials at all levels must stand with the people calling a world free of fossil fuels with 100% renewable energy for all. From Bonn to New York to Portland and beyond, we are rising united to demand a fast and just transition to a fossil free world that puts people and our planet first."
“The one million signatures on behalf of Americans who have pledged to uphold the Paris agreement are reflective of our determination and commitment to ensure that we always place people above politics and protection of our planet over profit,” said Kathy Egland, Chair of the NAACP National Board ECJ Committee. “The signatures are a repudiation of the callous, reckless and broken leadership of the United States government and a testament that we remain a government of the people, by the people and for the people.”
"The solutions to climate change are here and ready to go, and we can generate millions of jobs updating our infrastructure, building solar panels on rooftops, and retrofitting homes. Every person who needs a job should have one doing the good work of cleaning up our climate. Donald Trump attempts to draw our country backwards with his fossil fueled agenda, but the American people are still in. If anything drives our country to increase commitments, it'll be millions of everyday people coming together in the streets and at the ballot box to guarantee a society that works for all of us,” said Varshini Prakash, Action Coordinator and Spokeswoman with Sunrise Movement.
"Donald Trump and fossil fuel CEOs believe this world belongs to the few who look, live, and think like them,” said Anthony Torres, Associate Campaign Representative with Sierra Club. "They attempt to divide and deceive Americans with hate and denial. But, we, the people, see right through their greed. We demand that the US government fully achieve the Paris climate goals and ensure health, justice, and livelihoods for all.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.