In the crowded Democratic primary for next year’s Governor race in Iowa, some candidates are mounting pressure on Governor Kim Reynolds (R. IA) to still adhere to to the Paris Climate Accord despite Trump’s decision to pull out of the agreement. I received this e-mail last night from State Rep. Todd Prichard’s (D. IA) campaign:
President Trump just dealt a terrible blow to Iowa's future.
With his disgraceful announcement that he'll pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement, joining Syria and Nicaragua, President Trump has made it less likely that we will stop climate change -- and the devastating effects it's already having on Iowans.
But we don't have to stand by and watch it happen.
If President Trump won't allow our nation to act, Iowa must. If you agree that Iowa should adhere to the guidelines of the Paris agreement and take action to stop climate change, add your name.
Iowa's climate is already changing.
Extreme weather events, including floods and droughts, are becoming more frequent. The health of Iowa families and livestock is being threatened by higher temperatures and longer allergy seasons. And higher amounts of ground-level ozone are already reducing soybean yields, while threatening heart and lung problems in humans.
President Trump is trying to undermine the strongest agreement to date that would address climate change. And now, more nations may soon follow.
We can't let that happen. Iowa has already created green jobs through the adoption of renewable energy sources. If Iowa declares we'll go even further and adhere to the Paris agreement even after our nation pulls out, we can help encourage other states and nations around the world to keep the momentum going.
As Iowa's next governor, I'll take decisive action to fight climate change. But Iowans shouldn't have to wait. With so much at stake, it's time for Iowa legislators and Governor Reynolds to declare that Iowa will stand with the rest of the world in taking decisive action on climate change.
Add your name now, and demand Governor Reynolds and Iowa legislators follow the Paris agreement and take immediate action to fight climate change.
Thanks for doing your part for Iowa's future,
Todd
Click here to add your name.
I also received this e-mail today from State Senator Nate Boulton’s (D. IA) gubernatorial campaign:
Catastrophic, Disastrous, Irrefutable.
No, these are not my words describing the threat of climate change and what President Trump just did by pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord, these are his and his families words describing the threat of climate change.
We won't be fooled President Trump -- we know that you know climate change is real and is a worsening threat that will not go away without action.
Here in Iowa, we are fighting back by transforming our energy grid into a national leader in renewable energy. Because of investments made early on and planning for the next generation of Iowans, Iowa is already producing one third of its energy from renewable sources and putting thousands of Iowans to work every day creating the next generation in renewable energy.
By pulling out of the International Climate Accords President Trump is not only hurting the thousands of Iowans that go to work everyday building Iowa's green energy economy but he is putting rural Iowa at risk. Year after year, Iowa is ravaged by floods, droughts and severe weather this is all a direct result of climate change. Iowans have already spent billions over recent years rebuilding and recovering from these disasters.
If President Trump and politicians in DC won't act on the threat of climate change and the greatest economic opportunity in a generation to reshape our energy grid then Iowans will.
First:
Sign our petition to call on Governor Reynolds to stand up to the DC politicians and join dozens of cities across the country and 10 other states in saying we will hold ourselves accountable to growing our green economy and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels
Second:
Share with us how you are going to do your part to fight climate change and reduce your carbon footprint.
Let's show folks in DC that just because they won't act for the next generation and Iowa's green jobs, doesn't mean we won't.
Thanks,
Nate
Click here to add your name.