On the first day of his second term, President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate agreement. 196 nations signed the agreement, which Trump pulled out of during his first term in 2017.
The accord aims to prevent climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. It also aims to keep temperatures from rising more than two degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrialization levels.
The U.S. is currently the world’s second-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, following China and surpassing India. Since 1950, the United States has been responsible for about 20% of global CO2 emissions, according to data from the Global Carbon Project.
Laurence Tubiana played a key role in creating the Paris agreement. He highlighted ongoing climate disasters, such as the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, as stark reminders of the urgency of addressing climate change.
Scientists warn that the Earth’s temperature has risen 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit since the mid-1800s, surpassing the critical threshold. Scientists said 2024 was the warmest year on record, raising concerns about the long-term effects of higher temperatures.
Trump plans to increase domestic energy production, which clashes with global efforts to limit fossil fuel emissions. His withdrawal from the Paris agreement also contrasts with former President Joe Biden’s proposal to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% by 2035.
It will be at least a year before Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the agreement is fully realized.
