Philly joins 99 other cities pledging to fight climate change

Philadelphia is the latest city to pledge to cut emissions following President Donald Trump’s decision to quit the Paris agreement on climate change.  

Philadelphia will become more environmentally friendly as the 100th signatory to the Sierra Club’s Mayors for 100% Clean Energy pact, Mayor Jim Kenney said Wednesday. 

City Managing Director Mike Di Berardinis said Philadelphia can be a leader in fighting climate change.

“The public transportation system we have. The kind of housing we have … we are built to deal with this,” he said.

John Fry, board chairman of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Drexel University president, said big cities are key to cutting pollution.

“About 70 percent of the emissions in America come from cities, so we have a large part to play,” Fry said. “That’s why the efforts by Mayor Kenney and other cities to lead efforts to combat climate change are vitally important.”

The 100 mayors are vowing to support clean and renewable energy to make the cites a better place for current residents and future generations.