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Michael Bloomberg Writes 4.5M Check To Cover Paris Climate Accords

michael bloomberg writes $4.5 million check for Paris Climate Change deal

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg says he will write a $4.5 million check to help cover the United States' costs for the Paris climate change accords after President Donald Trump withdrew the nation from them last year. 

Bloomberg, a billionaire philanthropist, also acts as the United Nations' special envoy for climate action. He said Sunday that he will write the check covering the U.S.'s annual commitment after Congress said it would only contribute $3 million to the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat. 

In past years, the U.S. pledged about $7.5 million every year for the program. 

“America made a commitment, and as an American, if the government’s not going to do it, we all have responsibility,” Bloomberg said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “I’m able to do it, so, yes, I’m going to send them a check for the monies that America had promised to the organization as though they got it from the federal government.”

The former mayor says he is also considering bankrolling the United States' entire commitment next year if the U.S. fails to pay once again. However, he says he hopes that Trump will change his mind and rejoin the Paris accord. 

“He should change his mind and say, look there really is a problem here,” Bloomberg said. “America is part of the problem. America is a big part of the solution and we should go in and help the world stop a potential disaster.”

Bloomberg's pledge to cover the United States' commitment was hailed by Patricia Espinosa, the executive secretary of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat, as well as U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. 

Photo: Getty Images


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