Monuments Around the World Light Up in Green to Support the Paris Climate Agreement

Green Landmarks Paris Agreement Trump Climate Change

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

New York City

Washington DC

Boston

Montreal

Mexico City

Sydney

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Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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