The “We are Still In” Coalition

The   “We are Still In” Coalition

As we all know, Donald Trump is a controversial politician who has been extremely smart in becoming president of the most powerful country in the World.

His debated decision in June 2017, where he declared his will to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, extremely worried the international community. And just to say, it is a highly important topic, as the whole world will suffer the results from the continuous pollution from the development of fossil fuels and coal industries and natural resources exploitation by the second biggest polluter in the world: the U.S..

            The lack of interest from the Trump administration in environmental issues, has led subnational coalitions and alliances inside the United States to show their motivation to commit and have given a voice to many American citizens who want to pursue the Paris Agreement goals.

I would like to focus in one specific coalition: “We Are Still In”, which is particularly interesting.

According to their website, this coalition concentrates more than 2,500 leaders from America’s city halls, state houses, boardrooms, and college campuses, represents more than 127 million Americans and $6.2 trillion of the U.S. economy. They state, if they were a country on their own, they would be the 3^rd world economy. It is important to mention that their vigorous environmental attempts rely on 902 businesses and investors, 125 cities, 9 states, other sub-national coalitions, 193 universities and Faith Organizations[1].

Moreover, what sounds even more impressive, it that they claim their efforts are coordinated by The American Sustainable Business Council, B Team, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Center for American Progress, Ceres, CDP, Climate Mayors, Climate Nexus, C40, C2ES, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Entrepreneurs, Georgetown Climate Center, ICLEI, National League of Cities, Rocky Mountain Institute, Second Nature, Sierra Club, The Climate Group, We Mean Business, and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).[2]

            Their enthusiastic commitment to the Paris Agreement and their aim to show the world the ‘true’ voice of the majority of Americans has led them to take remarkable steps in order to attract the attention and respect from the international community.

I found extremely encouraging the fact that on the UN 23^rd Conference of Parties negotiating climate agreement, held in Bonn, Germany; they reinforced they commitment to the Paris Agreement by setting up an iconic pavilion separated from the COP23’s zones. They exposed their interest in climate action and had a panel discussion between key players in U.S. climate action on a local level. In addition, this pavilion was the first of its kind, whereas the U.S. government declined to set up a presence in the pavilion zone at the summit, where countries and international institutions typically set up facilities showcasing their climate actions. Additionally, other developed countries such as China, France, Korea, Japan and the United Kingdom all had pavilions[3].

Furthermore, on December 4^th 2017, the city of Chicago hosted the North American Climate Summit, bringing together Mayors from the U.S., Canada and Mexico in order to articulate commitments to the Paris Agreement and recognize the impact cities can have in the fight against climate change[4].

The “We Are Still In” coalition signed the "Chicago Charter", which is an international charter on climate change. First of its kind, the Chicago Climate Charter will represent more than 50 cities, and tens of millions of people in cities across the world[5].

"Rather than burying our heads in the sand, Chicago is working with cities across the country and around the world to address the threat of climate change," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "The Chicago Climate Charter represents tens of million residents who are committed to confronting climate change head-on. Even as Washington fails to act, cities have the power and will to take decisive action to protect our planet and the health and safety of our residents"[6].

In the same manner this alliance’s inspiring will and commitment has shown great lead in U.S. environmental politics and hope to the whole humanity. In addition, they have set an example of trust and compromise to the environment that many other national and international entities can look up to.

As “We are Still In” were initially released on June 5^th, 2017, their environmental actions are just taking off! Let’s hope that their activities will win the battle against climate change ‘ignorance’ and ‘denial’ ideals from some Americans and from the Washington Elite.

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[1] “We are Still In”. (2018). Retrieved from: https://www.wearestillin.com/about

[2] Íbidem

[3] Keating, Dave. (2017, November 09^th). “COP23 Rival U.S. Delegation Opens Pavilion to Challenge Trump”. In Deutsche Welle. Retrieved from: http://www.dw.com/en/cop23-rival-us-delegation-opens-pavilion-to-challenge-trump/a-41318035
[4] (2017, December 5th). "Mayor Emanuel and Global Mayors Sign the Chicago Climate Charter at the North American Climate Summit". Office of the Major, City of Chicago. Retrieved from: https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2017/december/ChicagoClimateSummitCharter.html
[5] (2017, December). North American Climate Summit. Retrieved from: https://northamericanclimatesummit.splashthat.com/

[6] Íbidem