By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Guam has joined the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of U.S. governors working together to accelerate emission reductions, strengthen resilience to the impacts of climate change, and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Guam is the second U.S. territory to join the alliance, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said.
“While islands like Guam are already feeling the effects of the climate crisis and face hotter weather, risks to freshwater supplies, coral reef death, and stronger typhoons – we are uniquely positioned to talk about climate impacts with the U.S. Climate Alliance,” Leon Guerrero said. “With the support of a national coalition committed to a more sustainable future, we also are more empowered to pursue resilient conservation solutions.”
Last week, Leon Guerrero joined island leaders during the Micronesian Presidents Summit and Micronesian Islands Forum hosted by the Federated States of Micronesia in Pohnpei State.
“The leadership of Micronesia met to discuss regional security, infrastructure, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and related activity, among other priorities,” Leon Guerrero said.
“These issues are important for the whole of Micronesia to address as they also affect our long-term resilience and environmental quality. In building on the principles of the Declaration on U.S.-Pacific Partnership presented by President Biden last September, we will support the advancement of responsible climate policy, and elevate our experience as Pacific Islanders to inform federal policy and program development.”
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Governors in the U.S. Climate Alliance commit to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and pledge to:
Collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by: at least 26–28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025; 50–52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030; and achieve overall net-zero greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2050;
Accelerate new and existing policies to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, build resilience to the impacts of climate change, and promote clean energy deployment;
Center equity, environmental justice, and a just economic transition in their efforts to achieve their climate goals and create high-quality jobs; and
Track and report progress to the global community in appropriate settings, including when the world convenes to take stock of the Paris Agreement.
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