Abstract

President Trump’s decision to withdraw from a multinational climate agreement—commonly known as the Paris Climate Accord—created a tsunami of reactions worldwide. World leaders and business CEOs almost universally decried the decision. The United States’ absence from a leadership position in the fight against the threats and consequences of climate change is a negative development. The need for action is immediate and will need to include all levels of government and private-sector stakeholders. After the US president’s decision to rescind the previous administration’s commitment to the Paris Accord, US cities increased their efforts to address climate change threats. While it may be that these efforts are a result of altruistic desires of the mayors and other elected officials representing their constituents at a local level, cities and communities have a moral and ethical obligation to address concerns and prepare for climate-change-related impacts. This article examines the often-misunderstood nature of the unique relationship between cities, state governments, and the United States federal government. Moreover, the article provides a clear account of how these different entities interact independently and distinctly, facilitating the design of their own responses to climate change threats.