Va. senator calls Paris Agreement withdrawal “massive blunder”

Climate change continue to make headlines as more lawmakers are speaking out against the decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.

The accord is sponsored by the United Nations and aims to slow the globe's rising temperature.

President Donald Trump has argued the climate agreement has disadvantaged the U.S. while benefiting other countries. He claims this leaves American businesses and taxpayers to absorb the costs.

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia hosted a teleconference for reporters on Wednesday, calling the decision a "massive blunder".

"I am really encouraged that companies, cities, states, individuals have said…the president may be pulling out, but we're not pulling. We're still in, I'm still in," says Senator Kaine. "You're hearing this all over the country. American innovation is going to race ahead."

As of this week, 14 states have pledged their allegiance to upholding the Paris Agreement. Virginia and Delaware are among those states.

We reached out to the office of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan for his stance. Spokeswoman Hannah Marr says Governor Hogan supports efforts to combat climate change, adding Maryland already has standards nearly twice as strong than the Paris Accord.

Hogan is expected to speak further on these environmental issues on Thursday.