Watch What Portland Mayor Charlie Hales Said At The U.N. Climate Talks in Paris

"It’s a difficult thing for many people to accept.”

More than 100 world leaders are in Paris for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, hoping to reach an accord to limit the emissions that cause global warming.

So is Portland Mayor Charlie Hales.

Hales traveled this week to the Paris climate talks to give a speech about how cities can take the lead in reducing carbon emissions.

Speaking on a panel with the mayors of Tshwane, South Africa and Copenhagen, Denmark, Hales bragged on Portland City Council's vote last month to make Portland the first city in the nation to block the expansion of fossil-fuel pipelines, tanks and terminals within city limits.

"If we are to strand most carbon in the ground," Hales said in Paris, "we don't need to expand the infrastructure for its movement. And it's a difficult thing for… many people to accept."

Here's a clip from Hales' remarks. Are they difficult for you to accept?

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