Which companies stepped up to speak out?
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The world’s political and economic leaders had a clear and immediate response to Trump’s blatant denial of reality on Thursday: We’re moving on without you.
Legitimate billionaire and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg certainly took this stance in the aftermath of Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord. According to the succeeding New York Times, Bloomberg has offered to pay the U.N. the $15 million the United States would have paid had Trump not pulled out of the deal. Bloomberg’s spokesperson, Carl Pope, told CNN Money that sum will fund America’s portion of the operating costs for the agreement. On Thursday, Bloomberg tweeted, “We can’t wait for national governments to act on climate change. For solutions, look to cities.”
We can’t wait for national governments to act on climate change. For solutions, look to cities. #ClimateofHope https://t.co/WEey09tsMW— Mike Bloomberg (@Mike Bloomberg) 1496323988
But Bloomberg isn’t alone in his quest to right Trump’s wrongs. In an ongoing list amassed by The New York Times, at least 25 companies campaigned for Trump to stick with the deal and will now join the New York billionaire’s efforts to move ahead without Trump. The fact that Trump can’t legally pull out of the Paris agreement for another two years, combined with this kind of opposing mega money, makes Trump’s words virtually meaningless. Brutally disheartening, but meaningless.
Check out a few of the companies vowing to fight Trump’s anti-climate agenda below to see what I mean.
Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1496347333
Disappointed with today’s decision on the Paris Agreement. Climate change is real. Industry must now lead and not depend on government.— Jeff Immelt (@Jeff Immelt) 1496346995
Disappointed with today’s decision. Google will keep working hard for a cleaner, more prosperous future for all.— Sundar Pichai (@Sundar Pichai) 1496351325
Our support for the #ParisAgreement is well known. We will continue to do our part providing more & cleaner energy. https://t.co/j5i0EQDzFi— Shell US (@Shell US) 1496346181
The computer manufacturing company issued a statement:
“Climate change is an international problem that requires an international solution, and we believe it is important for the world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore IBM supported—and still supports—U.S. participation in the Paris Agreement. This agreement requires all participating countries to put forward their best efforts on climate change as determined by each country. IBM believes that it is easier to lead outcomes by being at the table, as a participant in the agreement, rather than from outside it.
Whether the U.S. participates in the Paris Agreement or not, IBM will continue its decades-long work to reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions and will continue to help our clients do so as well.”
In a four-part Twitter announcement, the online retailer said:
1/4 Amazon continues to support the Paris climate agreement and action on climate change.— Amazon News (@Amazon News) 1496347645
2/4 We believe that robust clean energy and climate policies can support American competitiveness, innovation, and job growth.— Amazon News (@Amazon News) 1496347709
3/4 We remain committed to putting our scale and inventive culture to work in ways that are good for the environment and our customers.— Amazon News (@Amazon News) 1496347769
4/4 For more information on our commitment to sustainability, visit our website https://t.co/LrnVdML0el— Amazon News (@Amazon News) 1496347828
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