Landmarks around the world lit up in green Thursday night following the announcement by United States President Donald Trump that he would pull the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Green lights flooded the front of Paris’s city hall at 10 p.m., following a statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, broadcast live on national television, in which the new president condemned Trump’s decision as a “mistake” for the US and the planet, and reaffirmed the global agreement to save the planet.
"Make our planet great again." pic.twitter.com/yGWXtiSIv4
— Global Citizen (@GlblCtzn) June 1, 2017
“France will not give up the fight,” Macron said. “I reaffirm clearly that the Paris agreement remains irreversible and will be implemented, not just by France but by all the nations, because wherever we live, wherever we are, we all share the same responsibility: make our planet great again.”
Read More: President Trump Is Pulling US Out of the Paris Climate Agreement
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo echoed Macron’s statement when she ordered the city’s iconic Hôtel de Ville, or city hall, would be flooded in green lights.
Regardless of #Trump's decision, cities will apply #ParisAgreement. #Climatepic.twitter.com/cW9n0EoQa7
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) June 1, 2017
Soon after, other cities around the world followed.
As Paris did last night, we will be lighting Town Hall green to show solidarity with cities committed to addressing climate action. pic.twitter.com/eXv3NMIP4V
— Clover Moore (@CloverMoore) June 2, 2017
Read More: The Swift & Severe Reactions to Trump's Paris Climate Agreement Decision
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that that the World Trade Center’s lights would be turned green to show the state’s support for the Paris agreement and opposition to Trump’s decision. And New York City’s City Hall followed, lighting up green shortly after.
World: the Empire State stands with you. New York shines green for our planet, our health and our children's future. #ParisAgreementpic.twitter.com/Ubw7WSPgu0
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 2, 2017
Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre sent a message thanking New York City Mayor Bill DeBalsio for supporting the agreement and announcing that Montreal, too, would join the green protest.
Montreal salutes you and supports you Bill. Cities from the world supports #ParisAgreementpic.twitter.com/U3nLbxcVPs
— DenisCoderre (@DenisCoderre) June 2, 2017
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh then lit up his city hall green, as well as Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, so that even the nation’s capital — where Trump announced his anti-environment decision — sent a message of opposition to his policies.
Take Action: Tell the US to Stand By Its Commitments to Climate Change
Mayor @marty_walsh shows support for the #ParisAgreement with City Hall's green LEDs tonight. Thanks Chief @patrickbrophy9 & @Boston_PFD. pic.twitter.com/is7Q1atuz2
— Austin Blackmon (@austinfblackmon) June 2, 2017
Tonight the Wilson Building turns green in honor of DC's continued commitment to the #ParisAgreement. #ClimateMayorspic.twitter.com/beqQyVEISz
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) June 2, 2017
Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the agreement, which was wholly voluntary and not enforced by any outside body, was a devastating blow in the fight against climate change. He said he made the decision in order to put America first, and wanted to renegotiate the agreement to better serve US interests.
“In order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the US will withdraw from the Paris climate accord," Trump said during a televised announcement, noting that he would seek a "transaction on terms that are fair for American citizens, its people, its taxpayers."
World leaders assured Trump the agreement would not be open to renegotiations, and politicians and business leaders from around the globe condemned the decision.