US alliance of states upholding Paris deal

SAN FRANCISCO - The US Climate Alliance, launched by three states in the wake of President Donald Trump's announcement to withdraw from the Paris agreement on climate change, has expanded to include a total of 13 members.

Co-chaired by Governors Jerry Brown of California, Andrew Cuomo of New York and Jay Inslee of Washington, the alliance said Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia have joined the coalition.

"The president has already said climate change is a hoax, which is the exact opposite of virtually all scientific and worldwide opinion," said Brown. "I don't believe fighting reality is a good strategy - not for America, not for anybody."