3 U.S. city mayors launch climate change campaign

Mayors of Los Angeles, Houston and Philadelphia announced a social media campaign Monday to urge U.S. leaders to sign onto the strongest possible binding agreement for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions during the upcoming climate conference in Paris.

"As President (Barack) Obama said at the Clean Energy Summit, the Clean Power Plan and other efforts to produce clean energy are critical for our nation's economy," the mayors said in a joint statement.

"These efforts are big steps forward, but we need Congress to step up and support binding U.S. greenhouse gas reduction targets."

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter set up social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, and use the #ClimateMayors hashtag for the campaign, trying to raise awareness about climate change.

The action was taken on the 100-day countdown to the UN climate change conference scheduled for Nov. 30 in Paris.

Garcetti, Parker and Nutter are asking other mayors to help show support through signing onto the international Compact of Mayors.

"The strongest possible agreement at the UN climate talks will be held in Paris, urging our fellow mayors to help send a signal that the U.S. is serious about climate change," the three said.

They are also urging U.S. mayors to join the more than two dozen mayors who support the Mayors' National Climate Action Agenda, which in addition to pushing for global action, calls on cities to take their own steps in reducing emissions.

Garcetti in April released a sustainability plan, calling for the city of Los Angeles to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 45 percent below 1990 levels by 2025, 60 percent below 1990 levels by 2035, and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Endi