Interior Secretary Jewell applauds COP21 agreement on climate change

Following the agreement recently forged at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21), U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell spoke out in support of the effort to limit climate change.

“I applaud the more than 190 countries that came together for this historic agreement to chart a cleaner and more sustainable path for our planet,” Jewell said. “Climate change is evident across our country’s diverse landscapes and waters and one of the most pressing issues of our time. Today’s agreement lays out a durable and meaningful framework that will benefit billions of people now and for generations to come.

The legally binding agreement reached in Paris will see world leaders work to stop global warming below 2 degrees Celsius, and if possible below 1.5 degrees.

“At Interior, we are more focused than ever on contributing to the climate change revolution — fostering clean energy development, reducing harmful carbon emissions, building climate resilient communities, recognizing the benefits of forests, wetlands, grasslands and oceans to carbon sequestration, and supporting investments in sound science,” Jewell said. “America’s spirit of innovation and ingenuity allows us to lead on climate change, but no country can solve this issue alone. The universal agreement reached today will turn our collective achievements into an enduring agenda for a low-carbon future.”