Statement of The Rev. Sally Bingham, President, Interfaith Power & Light
“Nearly every country in the world has signed onto the Paris climate agreement, which the U.S. helped to craft. For the new administration to reverse course, and abandon our obligations as a global citizen and global economic leader, would be unprecedented and tragic. This agreement is an example of international cooperation for the benefit of all. It demonstrated that the world can come together to protect our common home. It provides important opportunities for the U.S. to lead on renewable energy technology and jobs, and pulling out could have us instead falling behind other countries, like China.
If the Trump administration takes the U.S. out of this international agreement, in defiance of wisdom and science, our faith communities will join thousands of businesses, cities, states, and organizations in saying “we’re still in” the Paris agreement. Even if the Trump administration revokes our country’s formal participation, our commitment to a safe climate and a clean energy future remains. Over 5,000 houses of worship and people of faith have already signed IPL’s Paris Pledge to cut their emissions in half by 2030 and to be carbon neutral by 2050. They will continue those efforts regardless of what the Trump administration does.
Our values and our concern for our most vulnerable brothers and sisters around the world are not altered in any way by the Trump administration. Therefore we will continue to care for Creation, to conserve energy in our facilities, to use renewable energy, and to build a safe climate for our children. Even if Trump is out, we’re still in.”
