bvc_june2017

4 5 JUNE/JULY 2017 Opening Lines We call upon all local governments across the nation to continue to pass rules and regulations that protect our climate. As most of the world moves forward, our nation cannot sit idle and lag behind. RICARDO ROSSELLÓ GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO T he governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rosselló, was one of many lead- ers from the region and around the world that have condemned the announcement by President Donald Trump that the US would withdraw from the Paris Climate Change Agreement. “Climate change is a real prob- lem and it requires all of us to leave a sustainable planet to the next generation. Our administra- tion is committed to protecting the environment. As a governor who is also a scientist, I oppose the United States withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Our administration is committed to protecting our environment, and we recognize that even small changes can have big, lasting effects on our planet,” Rosselló said in a statement. He pointed out that Puerto Rico, an island that 3.4 million American citizens call home, would suffer greatly from the devastating effects of rising sea levels. “We call upon all local governments across the nation to continue to pass rules and regulations that protect our cli- mate.As most of the world moves forward, our nation cannot sit idle and lag behind,”he said. In a joint statement, a group of ministers of the high ambition coalition, including Colombia, Costa Rica, Grenada, Mexico and Saint Lucia from the wider Caribbean, said, “We are deeply disappointed by today’s decision. Our commitment to the Paris Agreement is unshakeable.We have every reason to fight for its CARIBBEAN LEADERS CONDEMN US WITHDRAWAL FROM PARIS CLIMATE CHANGE AGREEMENT