Philanthropists, business leaders and state governments in the U.S. have been stepping up both financially and politically to express the continued commitment to climate action despite the government signalling its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. This week, Michael Bloomberg through his charity, Bloomberg Philanthropies, pledged US$4.5 million to cover the U.S. contribution to the UN’s climate change secretariat. His charity offered $15m to cover a separate climate change shortfall last year. Michael Bloomberg also launched the “We Are Still In” declaration and created America’s Pledge on climate change with California Governor Jerry Brown in the summer of 2017 to demonstrate that the U.S. — through the support of U.S. cities, states, businesses and other non-federal actors — can meet its pledge under the Paris Agreement. As an American living in Europe, it is fantastic to see this serious superhero activity taking place in my country of origin!
Articles about both of these funding commitments can be accessed below:
Bloomberg pledges $15m for climate action, says ‘Americans are not walking away’ from Paris deal