Commentary: Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima today reaffirmed the City’s commitment to proactively reduce the community’s carbon footprint after the Trump Administration late last week filed formal notice that the U.S. intends to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, a lengthy process that ends at the earliest on Nov. 4, 2020.
Adopted in December 2015, the Paris Agreement is an international effort to address climate change by limiting carbon emissions, thereby reducing global temperature increases. The United States signed the Agreement in September 2016 and it became effective Nov. 4 of that year. On June 1, 2017, the Trump Administration announced the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
“Climate change is real, and it has real impacts here in Las Cruces and worldwide,” Miyagishima said. “We as a municipality are making great strides in reducing our carbon footprint. Through City Council-approved initiatives, the City has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions in buildings and infrastructure by more than 20 percent, saving the City approximately $1 million annually in energy costs.
Miyagishima also said the City has reduced carbon emissions in its vehicle fleet by 18% over the last five years through reduced fuel consumption, and is investing in hybrid vehicles.
At its June 19 regular meeting, the City Council officially joined the Climate Mayors Network, that parallels the spirit and goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, by approving Resolution 17-206 with no binding or financial obligation.
According to Miyagishima, “Increasing renewable energy and energy efficiency can attract jobs and economic development opportunities for our community and increase our long-term economic competitiveness.”
Approximately 365 U.S. mayors representing more than 67 million Americans are committed to working together to strengthen local actions by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting efforts for binding federal and global-level policy making.