Jayapal Responds to President Trump Abandoning Paris Climate Accord, Holds Roundtable with Environmental Advocates
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal held a roundtable with local officials and advocates to discuss the threats to environmental protection as well as the latest reports of President Trump’s move to remove the United States from participation in the Paris climate accord.
“By unilaterally pulling the United States out of the Paris climate accord, President Trump is setting our planet on a catastrophic course,” said Rep. Jayapal. “This decision, based on falsehoods and the denial of climate change, would be a complete disaster for our cities, Washington state, our country and the entire world. It’s not a hoax – the science is clear on climate change.”
“It is our moral responsibility to transition our economy from fossil fuels to clean energy while ensuring that we sustain and create retraining programs, apprenticeships and good paying jobs for workers. We must also aim to collaborate with other nations in drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” added Jayapal. “In conjunction with experts and activists in the 7th District who are sounding the alarm, I will continue to resist an agenda that threatens vulnerable communities and the futures of our children.”
Congresswoman Jayapal held a roundtable on May 31 to discuss this development and other threats to environmental protections with local officials and advocates in Washington’s 7th District. The group included the Washington Environmental Council, the Nature Conservancy Washington, Forterra, Conservation NW, Sustainable Seattle, Puget Sound Sage, and others. The president’s budget proposal threatens to wipe out funding for the cleanup and protection of Washington’s Puget Sound.
Last week, Jayapal introduced a package of environmental justice bills with her fellow co-chairs of the United for Climate and Environmental Justice Task Force, Representatives Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) and A. Donald McEachin (VA-04). The legislation aims to fight the impact that climate change has on frontline communities.
The bills would establish an Office of Environmental Justice at the Environmental Protection Agency, codify funding for the Environmental Justice Small Grants program and create an Office of Environmental Justice within the Office of the President.
Last month, Jayapal, Diaz Barragán and McEachin formed the United for Climate and Environmental Justice Task Force. The group is comprised of members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. They seek to address the disproportionate impact of climate change and other environmental harms on communities of color, low-income families and marginalized groups.
Issues: Environment