Assembly Democratic Bill to Require NJ to Join and Uphold Paris Climate Agreement Clears Assembly Panel

Bill Sponsors Include Raj Mukherji, Andrew Zwicker, Valerie Vainieri Huttle,

Tim Eustace, Joann Downey, James Kennedy and Nancy Pinkin

(TRENTON) – An Assembly panel approved legislation on Monday sponsored by Assembly Democrats Raj Mukherji, Andrew Zwicker, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Tim Eustace, Joann Downey, James Kennedy and Nancy Pinkin to require the state to take part in the U.S. Climate Alliance to uphold the Paris Climate Accord and the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

The bill (A-5040) would require New Jersey to join the United States Climate Alliance, a group formed to pursue policies to uphold the United States’ commitments to the Paris Climate Accord in order to address the threats posed by climate change. The group was formed by the Governors of California, New York, and Washington after President Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord.

“Science is a thing, and global warming is real,” said Mukherji (D-Hudson). “Abandoning the Paris Climate Accord is a mistake that will be paid for by generation after generation if we do not take action, assuming the world doesn’t end under the Trump administration. Aligning ourselves with the U.S. Climate Alliance is the first step.”

“This legislation sends the message that we do not agree, along with other states, with pulling out of the Paris Climate Change Agreement,” said Zwicker (D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon). “We should be a part of the international effort to stop global warming. It is only together that we can make a real environmental change.”

“The global effort to effect climate change and global warming began here in the United States and we should remain a leader among nations in these efforts,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “As one of four countries that contribute the most global greenhouse gas emissions, we must work with other countries and strengthen the accord with our participation.”

“Pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord would be detrimental to our effect as a nation,” said Eustace (D-Passaic, Bergen). “Climate change and global warming is very real and it is not going away unless we join with other nations in the fight to end it.”

“The United States will pay a heavy price for withdrawing from the Paris agreement,” said Downey (D-Monmouth). “We must do our part, alongside other nations, in curbing the effects of climate change and global warming on our environment.”

“While other nations have taken a step forward, the United States has taken a step back,” said McKeon (D-Essex). “It’s nonsensical. For this reason, New Jersey should join other states in entering the US Climate Alliance.”

“The US, China, India, and the European Union contribute about half of global greenhouse gas emissions,” said Kennedy (D- Middlesex, Somerset and Union). “It is imperative that we join the rest of the world in combating the effects of climate change. Future generations depend on our nation to take a proactive stance against these environmental concerns.”

“To effectively address global warming, we must stand with our international partners,” said Pinkin (D-Middlesex). “This is a global challenge. We must do our part.”

The bill was release by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee and will now go to the Assembly Speaker for further consideration.