Statement: Ken Berlin, President And Ceo Of The Climate Reality Project, On The Signing Of The Paris Agreement

“This Earth Day the world community signed on the bottom line to secure our climate future. Today, the climate movement has renewed hope as leaders from more than 170 countries formally signed the Paris Agreement created at last December’s COP 21 climate conference.

“There have been global climate agreements in the past, but none with the extraordinary reach, ambition and international backing of this one. This agreement provides the framework and tools needed to combat climate change on a global scale, particularly by reducing emissions and expanding clean, renewable energy. It’s a clear message that as a planet we are serious about growing the clean energy economy and finally stopping climate change.

“We still have work to do to ensure countries increase their commitments to cutting emissions in order to meet the agreement’s goals, but today is a critical first step.

“We can’t achieve our goals overnight, but now is the time to get to work. We thank world leaders for giving us hope and this new challenge. I’m convinced our planet will rise to the occasion.”