The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, is a historic global agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combatting climate change. The United States was a signatory to the agreement until 2017, when former President Trump withdrew the country from the agreement. As a result, US emissions and the country`s commitment to reducing them have been a contentious topic in the global discourse on climate change.
The Paris Agreement sets a goal of limiting global warming to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with an ambition to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. In order to achieve this goal, each signatory country is required to submit their own plan for reducing emissions, known as a nationally determined contribution (NDC). The United States initially submitted an NDC with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by the year 2025.
Despite the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, individual states and cities within the United States have made commitments to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions. For example, California has set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, while New York has a goal of reducing emissions by 85% by 2050. Additionally, some US companies have made commitments to reduce their own emissions, demonstrating that climate action is not solely the responsibility of governments.
However, the United States` withdrawal from the Paris Agreement has been a setback to global efforts to combat climate change. The country is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, and its absence from the agreement weakens the global response to the issue. Additionally, the Trump administration`s rollbacks of environmental regulations and support for fossil fuel industries have further hindered progress on reducing emissions in the US.
With a new administration in place, the United States has once again become a signatory to the Paris Agreement. President Biden has committed to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and has announced plans to rejoin the global effort to combat climate change. However, achieving these goals will require significant changes in policy and behavior, and will likely face opposition from those who prioritize economic growth over environmental concerns.
In conclusion, the United States` role in the Paris Agreement and its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions has been a controversial and evolving topic. The country`s withdrawal from the agreement was a setback to global efforts to combat climate change, but renewed commitments by states, cities, and the federal government provide hope for progress in the future. As individuals and communities, we can each take actions to reduce our own emissions and promote climate action in our local and national policies.
