The mayors of 37 major American cities representing 31 million people submitted an open letter to President-elect Trump on November 22 urging him to partner with them to address climate change by demonstrating bold leadership and action. The cities work together as part of the Mayors' National Climate Action Agenda, to share best practices and hold each other accountable in reaching targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The group also supports efforts toward federal and global policymaking in this area.
The letter says the cost of climate change to the economy if no action to reduce greenhouse gases is pursued could be $500 billion by 2050. "The cost of prevention pales in comparison to cost of inaction, in terms of dollars, property and human life," the letter states. The mayors believe common ground is possible on this issue and requests that the President-elect help cities leverage funds in to upgrade infrastructure and expand renewable energy sources, which, the signatories state, will “spark a new manufacturing and construction boom.”