Act Locally, Reflect Globally: A Checklist of Options for U.S. Cities and States to Engage Internationally in Climate Action

U.S. cities and states are increasingly asking how they can play a more visible and active role in international climate change efforts. Cities and states have obvious incentives to take action to mitigate and adapt to climate change, but participation on an international level is also essential. This paper highlights a variety of ways in which U.S. cities and states can reflect their climate-related commitments on an international scale. Specifically, the author points to the Paris Agreement, the 'NAZCA' Portal, Global Covenant of Mayors, U.S.- China Cities Initiative, Under2 Mou Initiative, and the California Summit for ways in which this goal can be met.