Gabriella Sandoval, Events Liaison and Manager
The United States initially signed into the Paris Agreement upon its formation in 2016. In 2020, following the dictation of President Trump, it withdrew. Upon the election of President Biden, the U.S. signed back into the treaty again in 2021. However, due to recent political changes, powered by the inauguration of President Trump, serving his second term as the country’s president, the U.S. has once again withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, as of 2025. Trump’s decision to retract the U.S. from the agreement has sparked criticism from environmentalists, scientists, religious organizations, neighboring countries, and the American people. The U.S. is the second largest emitter of carbon dioxide emissions. This means that Trump’s decision to separate the country from the treaty contradicts any form of positive concepts by initiating change.
What is the Paris Agreement?
The Paris Agreement is an international treaty on climate change that was implemented in 2016, aiming to help countries adapt to climate change effects, and provide financial assistance for necessary changes. The primary goal of this treaty is to maintain the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C, and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C. These temperatures are above pre-industrial levels. Simply put, the lower the temperature increases, the smaller the effects of climate change can be expected.
This multilateral treaty serves as a landmark in action addressing the climate change problem. The Paris Agreement is a radical concept that is one of the first initiatives to foster widespread agreement and shared country initiatives. This is done through bringing almost all of the nations together to take effective measures and combat climate change effects.
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that crossing the 1.5°C line bears risks including: far more severe climate change impacts such as more frequent and severe droughts, heatwaves, and rainfall. Moreso, 2024 was the hottest year on record, with a global average temperature above 1.5 °C.
To stay below a temperature of 1.5 °C, emissions need to be cut by roughly 50% by 2030 according to the United Nations Climate Change. All active countries partaking in the treaty are required to determine, plan, and report transparently on actions taken to progress in climate change mitigation, as well as explanation of adaptive measures and support provided or received. This is to ensure that effective measures are taking place and that they’re making an impact.
The Importance of the Paris Agreement
The importance of this treaty signifies contribution, consistency, and coordination; but above all, this treaty recognizes the need for deliberate effort from all parties involved to combat disastrous climate change effects. Although climate change action needs to be massively increased to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, the years since its inception have already launched low-carbon solutions and new markets. More and more countries, regions, cities and companies are establishing carbon neutrality targets and zero-carbon solutions which represent 25% of emissions. By 2030, zero-carbon solutions could be competitive throughout all sectors, representing over 70% of global emissions according to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
While some may argue that climate change is inevitable due to human evolution, the conduction of further research is necessary to show the impact human life has on the environment. Data collected from various scientific sites such as the United Nations Climate Change Panel conclude that:
Climate change and its effects could be irreversible by 2030
Greenhouse gas levels are at an all-time high
Humans utilize more of the earth’s resources than it can renew
This past decade has been recorded as the hottest period in the last 125,000 years
There’s no argument that varying opinions can’t exist, however as inhabitants of our one and only earth, it would make more sense to be alarmed about our current state of climate. Although we may feel powerless at times in regards to how we can assist and care for our earth, the first and most important step is educating yourself on current issues and possible solutions.