NRDC President: U.S.-China Paris Approval Marks “Pivotal Moment for our Planet”

WASHINGTON – The joint formal approval today of the Paris Climate Agreement by the United States and China marks a crucial milestone, signaling that the largest contributors of climate pollution are committed to protecting future generations from catastrophic climate change.

The following is a statement from Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“This is a pivotal moment for our planet. And there's no turning back. The world’s largest emitters of carbon pollution now are on an unstoppable path to protect us from climate change, the central environmental challenge of our time.

“By formally joining the historic Paris agreement, the U.S. and China have joined 24 other countries in turning away from dirty fossil fuels toward clean and renewable energy.

“And by saying yes to clean air, land and water, and to public health, they are telling the world, and telling future generations, that we are determined to bequeath a stable and safe environment to all our children.”

For more on the U.S.-China announcement: See this blog from Jake Schmidt, NRDC’s International Program director, and Alvin Lin, NRDC’s China Program climate and energy policy director: https://www.nrdc.org/experts/jake-schmidt/us-and-china-formally-join-paris-agreement

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago; Bozeman, Montana; and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.