Trump Orders USA’s Exit From the Paris Climate Agreement

Just hours after Donald Trump sworn into his second term as President, he signed an executive order directing the USA to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. The USA joins Iran, Yemen, and Libya as the only four nations that are not part of the agreement which helps nations work together to keep global warming levels below dangerous levels. Trump withdrew from the agreement during his first tenure as well but Biden rejoined it in 2020. 

“I’m immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris climate accord rip-off. The United States will not sabotage our own industries while China pollutes with impunity” said Trump upon signing the order at his downtown Washington rally. He took this decision even though the UN chief warned in November that a second US withdrawal from the Paris accord would undermine global efforts to halt climate change.

What is the Paris Climate Agreement?

In 2015, over 190 countries adopted the Paris Agreement, aiming to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius, ideally 1.5 degrees. While climate scientists advocated for the lower threshold, the agreement did not mandate specific actions, making it non-binding. 

Since then, climate change has accelerated, raising concerns about humanity’s ability to adapt to warming beyond 1.5 degrees. Countries are free to set their own pollution reduction goals without international legal obligations.

How Trump’s Decision Will Affect USA’s Climate Change Efforts 

Several democratic officials, activists, and scientists in the USA criticized Trump’s decision and believe it is going to backfire and increase the climate crisis in the country. In his address, he declared a national energy emergency to reverse many environmental regulations set up by Biden and open new areas for gas and oil exploration. He also signed an executive order halting offshore wind lease sales and pausing permits, approvals, and loans for offshore as well as onshore wind projects. Instead of moving towards renewable and sustainable sources, Trump wants to drill more for oil and gas. 

“America will be a manufacturing nation once again, and we have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have — the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on earth — and we are going to use it.” said Trump. America’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions were already on the low, and with Trump’s appointment, it is highly likely that the USA won’t achieve their climate change goals. 

America’s Exit From the Paris Climate Agreement is Unpopular Among Citizens

A poll conducted by The Associated Press in collaboration with NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that Trump’s anti-climate agenda is not popular among Democrats and Republicans alike, with only about two in 10 US adults saying they are somewhat” or “strongly” in favor of withdrawing from the Paris agreement, and about half of Americans opposing it altogether. 

More than 5000 local and state leaders in America have pledged to uphold the objectives and goals stated in the Paris Climate Agreement. It accounts for over 74% of USA’s GDP and 63% of the total population. Governors of most major states have promised to work towards a net-zero future for America and fight climate change. Experts believe that if Trump wants America to lead global economy and be energy-independent, then he needs to focus on growing the clean technology industry. 

So, even though the Paris Climate Agreement continues with other countries, the exclusion of USA can play a big role in slowing down the fight towards climate change, a decision opposed by a majority of US citizens themselves.