The Kosciuszko Bridge, connecting Brooklyn and Queens, and the antenna on One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan were illuminated with green lights Thursday night at the orders of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He tweeted: "World: the Empire State stands with you. New York shines green for our planet, our health and our children's future. #ParisAgreement" Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo)

National News 

NYC landmarks glow green to support Paris Climate Accord

Regina Holmes

NEW YORK – Landmarks in New York as well as Washington and Paris were lit up green Thursday night to signal support for the Paris Climate Accord, hours after President Donald Trump announced that he planned to withdraw the U.S. from the agreement. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered that the antenna on top of the 104-story One World Trade Center as well as the Kosciuszko Bridge linking Brooklyn and Queens be lit green “to show our support for the Paris Accord and demonstrate New York’s leadership role in protecting our citizens, our environment, and our planet,” Cuomo said in a statement that blasted Trump.

Gov. Cuomo ordered the antenna atop One World Trade Center to be lit green. (Twitter/Andrew Cuomo)

“The White House’s reckless decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord has devastating repercussions not only for the United States, but for our planet,” the governor said. “This administration is abdicating its leadership and taking a backseat to other countries in the global fight against climate change.” Cuomo emphasized his support for the Paris agreement, which is approved by 195 countries. “New York State is committed to meeting the standards set forth in the Paris Accord regardless of Washington’s irresponsible actions. We will not ignore the science and reality of climate change.” New York’s City Hall also was lit up green Thursday night. New York Mayor Billl De Blasio tweeted a photo of the building.

Earlier on Thursday, de Blasio tweeted that “opting out of Paris Accord is a grave error.” “Climate change is real – we feel the effects now. Trump’s choice ensures it will only get worse.” Cuomo also said that he, Gov. Jerry Brown of California and Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington had formed the U.S. Climate Alliance to “convene US states committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement and taking aggressive action on climate change.” The governors of many other states have vowed to support the agreement. The mayors of 61 U.S. cities reaffirmed their commitment to the accord on Thursday. The Climate Mayors coalition includes de Blasio, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Trump maybe [sic] withdrawing the US, but 61 climate mayors are adopting the Paris Agreement,” the Climate Mayors tweeted. “Cities will lead the way.” In addition to the U.S. cities, many foreign cities also lit up buildings in green Thursday night to show support for the accord. Paris, Montreal and Mexico City were among the locales that had city halls glowing green.

This story is republished with permission from Talk Media News.

Feature photo: The Kosciuszko Bridge, connecting Brooklyn and Queens, and the antenna on One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan were illuminated with green lights Thursday night at the orders of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He tweeted: “World: the Empire State stands with you. New York shines green for our planet, our health and our children’s future. #ParisAgreement” Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo)