PORTLAND, ME – During an Earth Day panel discussion at the University of Southern Maine (USM) today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) heralded the signing of Paris Climate Agreement as a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to curb global climate change. The agreement, which was reached in December 2015 and signed today by the United States and approximately 170 nations, is an historic global climate pact that establishes an action plan to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. In his remarks, Senator King, who has long said that global participation is vital to stemming the tide of climate change, outlined the importance of the agreement and highlighted Maine’s longstanding efforts to protect and preserve the environment for future generations.

            “The signing of this agreement is a truly historic achievement that I hope will catalyze a turning point in the fight against climate change,” Senator King said. “Climate change is quite possibly the greatest environmental catastrophe we face, and it will take coordinated, global action to seriously address it. By achieving international consensus and laying the groundwork to reduce carbon emissions, this agreement is a significant – and necessary – step forward.”

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry today signed the Paris climate agreement on behalf of the United States during a ceremony held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Under the agreement, the United States has pledged to cut its total carbon emission by between 26 and 28 percent by 2025. Approximately 170 countries, including China, joined the United States in signing the agreement today, which is the first day it was open for signatures. The agreement will take effect once at least 55 signatories, accounting for 55 percent of global emissions, have submitted their plans for implementation.

The Earth Day panel discussion today at USM was organized by the University’s Muskie School of Public Service, named after Maine’s legendary U.S. Senator Edmund Muskie who shepherded the nation’s first environmental protection laws in existence. The discussion focused on the Paris climate agreement and also featured Dr. Andrew Deutz, Director of International Government Relations for the Nature Conservancy, and Michael Stoddard, the Executive Director of Efficiency Maine. Susan Sharon, Deputy News Director for Maine Public Broadcasting (MPBN) served as the discussion moderator.

As a member of both the Senate Energy and Environment Committee and the Senate Climate Action Task Force, Senator King has worked to highlight the impacts of climate change in Maine and the need for collective action at all levels of government. He has repeatedly worked to raise awareness of and spearhead a response to the impacts of climate change, which is already affecting Maine’s environment and economy. Senator King has worked to promote clean energy policies in the Senate, like the Clean Power Plan, and has stressed the importance of international cooperation and collaboration in the global fight against climate change, emphasizing that the United States cannot confront this issue alone.

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