• Greenhouse gas emissions are increasing, leading to global warming.
• The Paris Agreement is an international agreement to limit the increase of global temperatures and reduce emissions.
• The US is the second-largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions, and its current administration has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are released into the atmosphere by human activities like burning fossil fuels for energy and transportation. These gases trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise and leading to climate change.
The Paris Agreement
In 2015, world leaders came together in Paris to sign the Paris Agreement – a legally binding international agreement designed to limit the increase of global temperatures and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Countries committed to reducing their emissions by setting “nationally determined contributions” that must be met every five years.
US Withdrawal From The Paris Agreement
The United States is currently the second-largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions after China. In 2017, under President Trump’s leadership, the US withdrew from the agreement. This means they will no longer be held accountable for meeting their nationally determined contributions or reducing emissions domestically.
International Response To US Withdrawal
Despite this withdrawal, other nations have continued their commitment to meet their contributions under the agreement without US participation. International leaders have expressed disappointment at this decision while still striving towards achieving commitments set out in the agreement despite this setback from one of its largest participants.
Domestic Response To US Withdrawal
At home in the US, many states and cities have taken action on their own by introducing policies that reflect those set out in the Paris Agreement goals such as renewable energy standards or carbon pricing schemes. These measures show that not all Americans are abandoning efforts towards fighting climate change even if their government chooses not too participate internationally
Conclusion
Overall it is clear that while some countries may backtrack on their commitments towards fighting climate change internationally there are still individuals at home who continue pushing forward with sustainable solutions domestically despite opposition from higher powers.