On June 20, Belfast adopted a resolution to affirm the City’s commitment to climate action and join We Are Still In, bringing the city’s commitment to addressing climate change to the national stage.  

The city joins forces with more than 2,700 cities, states, tribes, businesses, universities, faith and cultural institutions to affirm a shared commitment to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, according to a news release from the City of Belfast.

Cities are on the front lines of response to climate impacts such as more storm surge, floods, and heat waves.

“We support the Paris Climate Agreement goals in order to protect public health and promote the economic benefits of clean energy,” the city said in the release.

“On this one year anniversary of pulling out of the Paris Agreement, Belfast affirms the City’s commitment to addressing climate change. We will continue to take steps to mitigate and adapt to climate change,” said Belfast Mayor Samantha Paradis, in the release.

“Signatories to We Are Still In represent more than 160 million Americans and $6.2 trillion of the U.S. economy. Belfast is fulfilling its pledge to advance climate leadership nationwide as stated in the resolution to affirm Belfast’s commitment to climate action.  

“We Are Still In is a bottom-up network of local governments, states, businesses, investors, and universities declaring support for climate action to prevent catastrophic climate disruption. As a signatory, Belfast will remain engaged in the international effort to hold global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius and to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy.”

Paradis said:  “Our city stands with communities across our nation and around the globe who recognize that climate change is real and that we must take action now to protect our communities. Belfast has taken the lead in transitioning to clean energy sources and will utilize renewable sources for 90% of our municipal energy use by year’s end.”

The We Are Still In open letter states” “In the U.S., it is local and state governments, along with businesses, that are primarily responsible for the dramatic decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in recent years. Actions by each group will multiply and accelerate in the years ahead, no matter what policies Washington may adopt.”

The release said: “Belfast enthusiastically joins this coalition and will continue to take innovative action to promote climate action in renewable energy and clean transportation. As storm surges increase and the temperature rises, the need for climate leadership is urgent. Belfast stands with affected communities and calls on other cities to do the same. We are still in.”

 For more information on We Are Still In, visit wearestillin.com.

Climate Change Committee website: http://www.cityofbelfast.org/index.aspx?nid=373