D’Amico Pledges Support for Paris Climate Agreement

CHICAGO – To show that Illinois is committed to combating the grave threat posed by global warming, state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, signed onto a letter urging Gov. Bruce Rauner to add Illinois as a state that will continue to uphold the standards set out in the Paris Climate Agreement.

“Man-made climate change poses a serious threat to the future of our planet,” D’Amico said. “Illinois should join the efforts of states and cities across our country that are stepping up to combat global warming in the absence of leadership at the federal level.”

After President Donald Trump stated his intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, the governors of California, New York and Washington formed the U.S. Climate Alliance—a bipartisan group of states committed to upholding the Paris Agreement within their borders. Since the group was formed, nine other governors have made clear their intention to follow the treaty. Gov. Rauner has yet to make a statement on the issue.

“The increasing number of droughts, stronger storms and temperature levels from climate change would be decimating to Illinois and the globe,” D’Amico said. “The effects would be felt from Chicago’s lakefront to the farming communities in Southern and Central Illinois. Our state needs to be at the forefront of combating this grave threat, and I urge Gov. Rauner to pledge his intention to follow the tenants set fort in the Paris Climate Agreement.”