Last week, President Trump made the landmark decision to withdraw the United States of America's participation in the Paris Climate Agreement. This action—which goes into effect in 2020—will make the United States 1 of only 3 countries to opt out of the pact, which “sets out a global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate change,” according to the esteemed European Commission. Given the inevitable impact of Trump's decision, cities around the world have come together to prove their dedication to going green—literally.
On the night of June 1, green lights lit up the exteriors of major monuments and landmarks across the globe, from the ornate façade of Paris' Hôtel de Ville (city hall) to the classically-inspired architecture of the Wilson Building in Washington DC. This luminous, international spectacle showcased not only the cities' support for the Paris Agreement, but also the seriousness of their solidarity.
On top of this daring display, many leaders (both foreign and domestic) have made statements expressing their disappointment over President Trump's decision—though most remain committed, hopeful, and, above all else, defiant. “Regardless of #Trump's decision,” Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, explains on Twitter, “cities will apply #ParisAgreement.”
On the night of June 1, monuments around the world were bathed in green light in support of the Paris Agreement. These green landmarks ranged from city halls to skyscrapers and could be found in a number of cities, including:
Paris
Regardless of #Trump‘s decision, cities will apply #ParisAgreement. #Climate pic.twitter.com/cW9n0EoQa7
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) June 1, 2017
New York City
World: the Empire State stands with you. New York shines green for our planet, our health and our children's future. #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/Ubw7WSPgu0
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 2, 2017
City Hall shines green tonight because New York City will honor the goals of the #ParisAgreement. pic.twitter.com/BV0IIZYPpA
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 2, 2017
Washington DC
Tonight the Wilson Building turns green in honor of DC's continued commitment to the #ParisAgreement. #ClimateMayors pic.twitter.com/beqQyVEISz
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) June 2, 2017
Boston
City Hall is green tonight. Boston stands with the environment. We must protect our future. #ParisAccord pic.twitter.com/yTL5albn2f
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) June 2, 2017
Montreal
Montreal salutes you and supports you Bill. Cities from the world supports #ParisAgreement pic.twitter.com/U3nLbxcVPs
— DenisCoderre (@DenisCoderre) June 2, 2017
Mexico City
Mexico City lighted city hall & monuments green to express his commitment to the #ParisAgreement #Cities4Climate pic.twitter.com/EQHXBC8fBb
— C40 Cities (@c40cities) June 2, 2017
Esta noche a las 20 hrs la #CDMX se iluminará de verde para reafirmar nuestro apoyo al Acuerdo de París #mm pic.twitter.com/4tNBEJXrdH
— Miguel Ángel Mancera (@ManceraMiguelMX) June 1, 2017
Sydney
Time for the world to hold firm on the Paris agreement – Sydney Town Hall is lit green tonight, alongside city landmarks around the world pic.twitter.com/vMh8HU2lNN
— matt levinson (@matt_levinson) June 2, 2017
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