Statement on United States reentering Paris Climate Agreement

BOSTON, MASS. (January 20, 2021) – The New England Aquarium enthusiastically welcomes President Biden’s announcement that the United States will reenter into the Paris Climate Agreement, once again joining nearly 200 countries committed to addressing some of the most devastating impacts of climate change primarily by reducing emissions of heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. By rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement on the first day of his administration, President Biden is clearly signaling his commitment to addressing the global climate crisis.

Our institution has been a proud signatory of the “We Are Still In” Declaration since the Trump Administration withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement in 2017. For the past four years, we have stood in solidarity with nearly 4,000 leaders in the public and private sectors who committed to pushing for new and ambitious climate action and taking independent actions to reduce our own carbon footprint.

This move from the Biden-Harris Administration is a crucial step toward protecting our ocean. The ocean helps maintain earth’s temperature, generates oxygen, and absorbs carbon dioxide. New England Aquarium scientists, biologists, and veterinarians are already seeing the effects of climate change in our region from sea level rise to warming ocean temperatures, which are forcing animals to change where and how they feed. The United States’ participation in the Paris Climate Agreement will help ensure our blue planet can be healthy and life-sustaining for both humans and animals for generations to come.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Pam Bechtold Snyder – psnyder@neaq.org, 617-686-5068