LOS ANGELES, June 1 (Xinhua) -- In response to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, Governors of California, Washington and New York announced Thursday the formation of a coalition committed to upholding the agreement.
The new coalition, called the United States Climate Alliance, would serve as a way for states interested in dealing with climate change to coordinate, according to a press release posted on the official websites of the three state government offices.
"With input from all participants, the U.S. Climate Alliance will also act as a forum to sustain and strengthen existing climate programs, promote the sharing of information and best practices, and implement new programs to reduce carbon emissions from all sectors of the economy," said the statement.
California, Washington and New York, which together account for a fifth of the country's economy and population, produced 11 percent of U.S. emissions in 2014, according to the Energy Information Administration.
"The president has already said climate change is a hoax, which is the exact opposite of virtually all scientific and worldwide opinion," California State Governor Jerry Brown said in a joint statement with the other two states' governors.
"I am proud to stand with other governors as we make sure that the inaction in D.C. is met by an equal force of action from the states," said Washington State Governor Jay Inslee.
"Today's announcement by the president leaves the full responsibility of climate action on states and cities throughout our nation. While the president's actions are a shameful rebuke to the work needed to protect our planet for our children and grandchildren, states have been and will continue step up," Inslee said.
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo accused the Trump administration of "abdicating its leadership and taking a backseat to other countries."
Cuomo said he would sign an executive order on climate change, which he promised would confirm "New York's leadership role in protecting our citizens, our environment, and our planet."
Brown also ripped the White House on a conference call after Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the pact.
"Donald Trump has absolutely chosen the wrong course. California's economy and America's economy are boosted by following the Paris agreement," he said, "California will resist because his effort is misguided."
"I would even say this is an insane move," Brown added in the call to reporters.
