STATEMENT: Climate Mayors Incoming Chair Mayor McLean Responds to President Trump’s Withdrawal from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Boise, ID (January 7, 2026) - Today, incoming Climate Mayors Chair, Mayor Lauren McLean, issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement that his administration would withdraw the United States from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a framework under which countries all over the world work together to fight climate change, reduce toxic pollution, and build safer, healthier and more prosperous cities: 

“The American people will pay the price for this shortsighted decision that turns back the clock on more than three decades of U.S. climate leadership. Families and communities across our country are already seeing the devastation of climate change. We see it in wildfires and floods wiping out forests and towns. We see it in farmers struggling with smaller yields. We see it in warmer winters followed by summer droughts. 

Climate disasters make everyday life less affordable - from rebuilding destroyed homes to rising insurance, utilities, and grocery costs – our communities are paying the price.

If the withdrawal goes through, the United States will stand alone as the only country in the world that is not part of the UNFCCC. We would be walking away from our seat at the table as decision makers on how trillions of dollars can be invested in solutions that create meaningful differences in people’s lives - lowering everyday costs of groceries and bills, the security of a place to call home, and affordable access to clean water and energy. 

While the American people grapple with the real-world impacts of climate change, those impacts don’t affect just one city, state, or country. What happens elsewhere affects communities everywhere. Our cities are strongest when we have the tools to remain resilient in the face of climate change. That’s why remaining in global collaboration is key to tackling what is one of the most existential threats to our communities. 

Climate Mayors understand we have a responsibility to build better, safer, and more prosperous cities everyone can afford. That means fighting climate change head on. We will not stop working with our partners here and abroad on innovative clean energy solutions that lower people’s energy bills, reduce toxic pollution, and make life more affordable.” 

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About Climate Mayors

Climate Mayors is a bipartisan network of over 300 mayors, demonstrating climate leadership through meaningful actions in their communities since 2014. Representing 46 states and nearly 55 million Americans, Climate Mayors reflects U.S. cities’ commitment to climate progress. For more information, visit our website and follow Climate Mayors on X, Bluesky, and LinkedIn. 

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