On June 1, 2017, then-president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that his government would be pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, a global pact that aims to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. The decision was met with international condemnation and sparked a heated debate about the future of the planet. Here`s what you need to know.
Firstly, what is the Paris Agreement? The Paris Agreement is an international treaty that was adopted at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015. It aims to keep the global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. To achieve this, countries pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to regularly report on their progress.
Why did the United States leave the Paris Agreement? President Trump cited several reasons for his decision, including his belief that the agreement would damage the American economy and job market. He also argued that the agreement favored other countries over the United States and that it was a bad deal for American citizens.
What does the United States leaving mean for the Paris Agreement? The United States is the world`s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases (China is first), and its exit from the Paris Agreement is a significant blow to the global effort to combat climate change. However, the other signatories to the agreement have made it clear that they remain committed to its goals. Without the United States, achieving those goals may be more difficult, but it is not impossible.
What are the consequences of the United States leaving the Paris Agreement? The most immediate consequence is that the United States is no longer bound by the commitments it made under the agreement. This means that the country is no longer legally required to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions or to report on its progress. However, many states, cities, and businesses within the United States have pledged to continue working to reduce emissions and to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
What is the future of the Paris Agreement? The Paris Agreement remains in force, and the other signatories have reaffirmed their commitment to its goals. In November 2020, the United States elected a new president, Joe Biden, who has pledged to rejoin the Paris Agreement and to make climate change a top priority for his administration. The United States officially rejoined the agreement on February 19, 2021.
In conclusion, the United States leaving the Paris Agreement was a significant setback for the global effort to combat climate change. However, it is important to remember that the Paris Agreement remains in force, and many countries, states, cities, and businesses are still working towards its goals. With renewed commitment and cooperation, we can still make progress towards a sustainable future for our planet.
