The big international news yesterday was Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement (Accord de Paris). In response, New York City Hall, One World Trade Center, and the new Kosciuszko Bridge, lit up in green to signal support for the climate change accord. The Empire State Building, perhaps the city’s most notable landmark for lights, was already pre-planned to be yellow to mark the 10th anniversary of the Veuve Clicquot 10th Anniversary Polo Classic, but it will go green on Monday, June 5th to honor the United Nations Environment Programme & World Environment Day.
Meanwhile, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg quickly brought together a group of thirty American city mayors, three governors, over 100 companies and 80 universities to join a new coalition, the New York Timesreports, to “submit a plan to the United Nations pledging to meet the United States’ greenhouse gas emissions targets under the Paris climate accord…[and] is negotiating with the United Nations to have its submission accepted alongside contributions to the Paris climate deal by other nations.”
New York City’s landmarks joined those internationally last night in lighting up green, including Paris’ City Hall (the Hôtel de Ville), Boston City Hall, numerous buildings in Mexico City, Montreal City Hall, and others.
Michelle is the founder of Untapped New York and the author of The Art Spy (HarperOne, forthcoming) Secret Brooklyn, Secret New York Hidden Bars & Restaurants, and Broadway. michelleyoungwriter.com
