Following are quotes from the U.S. West Coast Governors and the B.C. Premier on their joint efforts to combat climate change and grow their clean energy economies. Below these individual quotes, please find a joint statement regarding COP 23 signed by all three West Coast Governors and the BC Premier.
“While the White House declares war on climate science and retreats from the Paris Agreement, California is doing the opposite and taking action. We are joining with our partners from every part of the world to do what needs to be done to prevent irreversible climate change.”
California Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
Contact: California Governor’s Press Office, [email protected], (916) 445-4571
“The Trump Administration is forfeiting the U.S. role as the global leader in the fight against climate change. Participation in the Paris Agreement means moving toward a sustainable economy that creates jobs while reducing greenhouse gases at the same time. Oregon joins with Pacific Coast leaders to prepare for the clean energy economy of the future, not run away from it.”
Oregon Governor Kate Brown
Contact: Chris Pair, [email protected], (503) 378-5965
“Pacific Coast leaders know that our work is crucial to the fight against climate change. This is our time to show we can innovate and seize the mantle of leadership in the clean energy economy.”
Washington Governor Jay Inslee
Contact: Jaime Smith, [email protected], (360) 902-0617
“Cutting carbon pollution is critical to building a sustainable economy that works for everyone. Our government is committed to tackling climate change in a way that creates jobs, strengthens our communities and makes life better for ordinary British Columbians.”
British Columbia Premier John Horgan
Contact: Media Relations, BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, [email protected], (250) 953-3834
Joint Statement from the Pacific Coast Collaborative at the start of COP 23:
The governors of California, Oregon, Washington state and the environment minister from British Columbia will join world climate leaders for the twenty-third United Nations Conference of Parties (COP23) in Bonn, Germany. These jurisdictions are members of the regional partnership called the Pacific Coast Collaborative (PCC), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonize the economy and build sustainable communities through the adoption of clean energy policies, sharing of expertise and resources, and collective action.
As the Trump Administration moves to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and abandon the Clean Power Plan, the leaders of these West Coast governments are redoubling commitments to climate action to address a threat of our time.
The devastating impacts of weather, wildfires and ocean acidification on communities in California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia make it clear that there’s too much at stake – health, homes and livelihoods – to retreat now.
That’s why the Pacific Coast leaders will head to Bonn to expand collaboration with other jurisdictions and help drive changes in the building, electricity and transportation sectors. These efforts to get more electric vehicles on roads, improve the power grid, make buildings more efficient and advance renewable energy technology will help spur innovation, open up new markets, create jobs, attract investment and make communities more resilient for the future.
Jointly signed by:
California Governor Jerry Brown
Oregon Governor Kate Brown
Washington Governor Jay Inslee
British Columbia Premier John Horgan
Contact information for the signatories:
California: Governor Jerry Brown’s Press Office, [email protected], (916) 445-4571
Oregon: Chris Pair, [email protected], (503) 378-5965
Washington: Jaime Smith, [email protected], (360) 902-0617
British Columbia: Media Relations, BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, (250) 953-3834, [email protected]