Making History: Paris Climate Agreement Signed on Earth Day

Last month, we urged our supporters to sign a petition asking President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry to sign the Paris climate agreement on behalf of the United States. Great news: John Kerry and other world leaders from nearly 170 countries signed the agreement at the United Nations today in honor of Earth Day.

Thanks to CLCV supporters and climate activists around the world, the momentum of climate action that started in Paris last year continues—appropriately—on Earth Day!

The signing ceremony formalized the agreement countries reached in Paris last December as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The deal commits member countries to taking national actions to reduce emissions by 2020, with the collective goal of limiting global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius.

Kerry, carrying his toddler granddaughter, signed the agreement on behalf of the United States, as President Obama is out of the country. In his speech at the United Nations he said:

“When enough people come out and make their voices heard, when they turn their policy into a voting issue, when they work together toward the same real goal, then measurable change is possible. Today, as we think of the hard work ahead, I am reminded of Nelson Mandela’s very simple words: ‘It always seems impossible until it is done.’ While it isn’t done yet, today we are on the march.”

We’re now one step closer to worldwide action on climate change. Can you stand with us to keep CLCV fighting for the future of our planet by making a special Earth Day contribution today?

Thank you for everything you do to protect the environment. And happy Earth Day.